Top consulting firms have repeatedly found themselves facing a reputational crisis. The most recent example was in early July, when a Financial Times investigation revealed that Boston Consulting Group had modelled a plan to ‘relocate’ Palestinians from Gaza after entering into a multimillion-dollar contract to help launch an aid scheme for the enclave. In this week’s episode, the FT’s US accounting editor, Stephen Foley, explains his reporting and examines what these events say about how effective the consulting industry’s ability to avoid reputational scandals is. Clips from the UN - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further reading:BCG modelled plan to ‘relocate’ Palestinians from GazaInside Gaza’s ‘death traps’The little-known group poised to take over Gaza’s aidBCG gets caught up in a scandal in Gaza - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Follow Stephen Foley on X (@stephenfoley) and Bluesky (@stephenfoleyft.bsky.social). Michela Tindera is on X (@mtindera07) and Bluesky (@mtindera.ft.com), or follow her on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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21:04
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21:04
A case of Schrödinger’s tariffs
It’s been exactly 90 days since US President Donald Trump paused most of his ‘reciprocal’ tariffs. With just a 10 per cent blanket tariff on all imports and a higher tariff on China, economists predicted the American economy would feel the heat pretty quickly. But the sky hasn’t fallen yet – the world’s largest economy is holding strong. The FT’s US economics editor Claire Jones explains why that is and when markets may start to feel the effects of Trump’s tariffs. Clips from CBS News, CNBC, TODAY- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further reading:Donald Trump renews threat to hit trading partners with steep tariffsTariffs on household goods bring home costs of Trump’s trade warsUS tariff receipts surge in Donald Trump’s trade warUS narrows trade focus to secure deals before Donald Trump’s tariff deadline- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Follow Claire Jones on X (@senoj_erialc) and Saffeya Ahmed on X (@saffeya_ahmed), or follow Saffeya on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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19:49
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19:49
How oil traders called the Middle East war
When Iran attacked a US airbase in Qatar – a response to strikes on its nuclear facilities – many feared a global war may be imminent. But there was one market that didn’t break a sweat: oil. It’s typically a commodity that surges at the first sight of conflict in the Middle East. This time though, oil traders bet that the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the US would be short-lived. The FT’s energy editor Malcolm Moore explains how traders called the outcome correctly. Clips from ABC News, Al Jazeera, Associated Press, CBS News, Fox 9 Minneapolis St Paul, ITV News, KTLA 5, NBC News- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further reading:How oil traders called the Middle East conflictFuel and fury: energy becomes a Middle East battlefieldWhy oil traders are watching the Strait of HormuzWhy is the oil price not surging?- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Follow Malcolm Moore (@MalcolmMoore) and Saffeya Ahmed on X (@saffeya_ahmed), or follow Saffeya on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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19:14
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19:14
The end of the UK’s ‘bailout era’
The Royal Bank of Scotland was once the biggest bank in the world. Then, hubris got the best of it. During the financial crisis the UK government spent £46bn to bail out the bank. Seventeen years and a rebrand to NatWest Group later, the government just sold its last shares in it and officially ended the country’s “bailout era”. The FT’s Akila Quinio analyses what this means for the economy and for NatWest. Clips from ABC News, BBC, NBC - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further reading:The RBS story: how the world’s biggest bank was nationalised and then rebornNatWest’s freedom dividend has already been cashedNatWest must not forget its chequered past- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Follow Akila Quinio on X (@akilazoe). Michela Tindera is on X (@mtindera07) and Bluesky (@mtindera.ft.com), or follow her on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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16:46
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16:46
Inside Moët Hennessy’s crisis
LVMH’s wine and spirits division, Moët Hennessy, has long been a source of success – and cash – for the luxury goods behemoth. But more recently, that’s changed. The FT’s Paris correspondent Adrienne Klasa, found that certain strategic decisions made under the company’s former CEO have contributed to a change in its fortunes. She examines the missteps and whether the division can make a comeback. Clips from Olympics- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further reading:Moët Hennessy’s crisis: dubious deals, soaring prices and hubris Alcohol groups face a sobering cultural shiftMoët Hennessy to cut 10% of workforce as luxury slowdown bites- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Follow Adrienne Klasa on X (@AdrienneKlasa). Michela Tindera is on X (@mtindera07) and Bluesky (@mtindera.ft.com), or follow her on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From hostile takeovers to C-suite intrigue, Behind the Money takes you inside the business and financial stories of the moment with reporting from Financial Times journalists around the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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