The Times Business Podcast

David Cameron has promised business a revival. Enterprise Editor James Hurley, Banking Editor Katherine Griffiths and Marcus Leroux discuss what the government has done for enterprise ahead of this year's BCC conference, as well as what to expect from Barclays' and Glencore's results.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Deputy business editor Simon English, City editor Harry Wilson, Technology & Communications editor Nic Fildes and US business editor Alexandra Frean discuss what to expect from troubled Standard Chartered, prospects for UK and US growth, and where next for the smartphone. Times subscribers can also sign up to the Times business morning and lunchtime emails so you can keep up to date, wherever you are.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Economics editor Philip Aldrick looks towards the UK’s employment figures and considers why wage growth is so slow when we have record employments levels and what that means for the economy. Robin Pagnamenta, energy editor, discusses the merger between Shell and BG and why Shell found themselves with a bad on their hands once the oil price went south. He also considers whether gold remains a safe haven for investors deserting the oil majors. And Deirdre Hipwell, Retail Correspondent, tells us why Nestle is sticking two fingers up at rivals with its battle to register a trademark for its four fingered KitKat chocolate bar. They all join presenter Robert Miller for this week’s business podcast.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Industry Editor Robert Lea, Energy Editor Robin Pagnamenta, and US Business Editor Alexandra Frean discuss what to expect from carmaker Jaguar Land Rover, ailing engineer Rolls-Royce, prospects for a rise in oil and whether users are deserting Twitter. Times subscribers can also sign up to the Times business morning and lunchtime emails so you can keep up to date, wherever you are.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Near-zero inflation, record low interest rates, falling commodity prices. It is against this backdrop that we get the latest BoE inflation report and results from large British oil and drug companies. Economics editor Philip Aldrick, Energy editor Robin Pagnamenta and Industrial correspondent Marcus Leroux discuss what to expect with Robert Miller. You can follow all the news at www.times.co.uk/business. Times subscribers can also sign up to the Times Business morning and lunchtime emails so you can keep up to date, wherever you are. Sign up here. https://home.thetimes.co.uk/myNews  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Where to invest in a jittery market - gold, high yielding stocks or government bonds? Tempus editor Martin Waller, M&A correspondent Deirdre Hipwell and City editor Harry Wilson give their views. Follow them on Twitter: @MartinWaller10, @harrynwilson, @DeirdreHipwell Find out more: www.thetimes.co.uk  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It is considered one of the most important conferences in the world, with the world’s leading chief executives, politicians, celebrities and economists descending on Davos in Switzerland for the world economics forum. But what’s it like being there trying to cover it as a lowly journalist? Richard Fletcher, the Times Business Editor, explains why Davos is the most class-ridden event in the world, and why the most important thing for to think about is what shoes to wear, not to mention why you should never mess with security. Deirdre Hipwell, retail correspondent for The Times, discusses why the Hollywood movie star Leonardo DiCaprio will be found among the bankers and business chief executives this year, and what it’s like trying to get a quote from Angela Merkel at Davos. Meanwhile, Alex Ralph, The Times’ market reporter, explains why the words China and oil will be on everyone’s lips and why the biggest party of the conference will be the one hosted by Google. They all join presenter Robert Miller... &

This week’s podcast is a special look at how the retail sector has fared over the crucial Christmas period In the space of a few days, Marc Bolland had announced he would step down as chief executive of M&S as the retailer reported another ‘disappointing’ Christmas in its clothing sales, and Sainsbury’s made a £1 billion bid for Home Retail Group, the owner of Argos. So is the British retail sector in turmoil? Richard Fletcher, Business Editor of The Times, tells us why he thinks M&S will be in safe hands with Marc Bolland’s replacement, the chain-smoking Millwall fan Steve Rowe. “He’s not your typical image of a chief executive, but he’s loved by his troops, he loves the business and the people and I think he’s the right person for the job.” Meanwhile, Deirdre Hipwell, retail correspondent, explains why Home Retail Group is so desirable for Sainsbury’s after the success of Argos concession in the supermarket’s stores. And why supermarkets are struggling to find ways to fill excess space. But wit

The US Federal Reserve has drawn a line under the financial crisis by raising interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade, but what lies ahead for the US economy, and in turn, the UK? Alexandra Frean, The Times US Business Editor, says traders are now cautiously hoping for a late Santa rally on the stock market in the run up to Christmas, but American consumers themselves are feeling less positive. “People are still very jumpy and don’t quite trust the numbers” she explains, arguing that despite job growth and low oil prices, Americans don’t feel the financial crisis is fully over. The Fed will need to carry on reassuring Americans that things are back to normal, Alexandra argues. But why does she think Janet Yellen is the closest thing the US has to the Queen? And if the Yellen is the queen, does that make Mark Carney the king? Simon English, The Times Deputy Business Editor, thinks so. “He’s the right man in the right job,” he says of the Bank of England governor. But what does an US...

This week we discuss interest rates, printing money and what a rise in rates could mean for your investments. In Europe, German policymakers are “furious” that the European Central Bank are extending their quantitative easing by a further six months, says David Charter, our Times correspondent in Berlin. But he tells us that the power of the ECB is beginning to be limited by the lack of action of national governments to fix the economy. Phil Aldrick, Economics Editor of The Times, explains why ECB president Mario Draghi has merely kicked the can further down the road in terms of fixing the problem of weak inflation in the Eurozone. Meanwhile Alex Frean, US Business Editor of The Times, tells us why Janet Yellen is the kind of person who arrives three hours early for her flight and what this says about the potential for the US Fed to raise interest rates. But what about here in the UK? Is there pressure on the Bank of England to change interest rates from their record lows? And should investors be...

In this week's podcast, we discuss the fallout from George Osborne's autumn statement and spending review and ask what businesses, investors and the markets made of the chancellor's new measures. Callum Jones, political correspondent for The Times, gives an insight into what the mood is like in the corridors of Westminster. Did Labour miss their chance to successfully challenge the chancellor? Is George Osborne's now likely to be the next prime minister? And did the chancellor pass the test for businesses and investors? Only if you believe the numbers about steady growth, says Patrick Hosking, Financial Editor and columnist of The Times. He asks whether the UK economy can carry on "sailing serenely" when there is so much turmoil in global markets. Meanwhile, Kathryn Hopkins, economics and property correspondent of The Times, claims that George Osborne has put another nail in the coffin of the buy-to-let sector with his 3 per cent extra stamp duty charge for those with second homes. She warns there is...

This week's podcast is all about George Obsorne's Autumn Statement and what further cuts we can expect from the chancellor. The Times' Economics Editor Philip Aldrick argues that being dogmatic over cutting £19 billion from unprotected departments could inflict enormous damage on public services and thwart George Osborne’s leadership ambitions, as the full impact of the cuts becomes apparent just as rivals mount their charge. But are these dramatic cuts driven by necessity or ideology? Times' columnist and leader writer Oliver Kamm says its all about politics and explains why. Richard Fletcher, Business Editor and presenter of the podcast, asks whether it is a mistake of the chancellor's to ringfence spending in certain government departments and discusses whether the controversial cuts to working tax credits will be amended. Finally, find out what it's like to be in the Treasury on the night before the Autumn Statement from Kathryn Hopkins, once a spokeswoman for the Treasury and now economics... &#

Retailers across the UK are bracing themselves for Black Friday but are any of them are actually looking forward to this mad whirlwind of bargains? Asda said it will “step back” from the Black Friday brink after camera crews invited into its Wembley store last year captured unsavoury scenes, as bargain hunters scrapped (literally) for cut-price televisions. And it is far from alone. In this week’s podcast Richard Fletcher, Business Editor, asks whether this American import will be a bit of a turkey or a Christmas cracker for the UK high street. Deirdre Hipwell will share some of the lessons learned from last year’s chaos whilst Alistair Osborne concludes it is, “one of the stupidest things retailers have imported from anywhere”. They are joined by Alexandra Frean, US business editor, who will dial in from New York before she braves the bargain hunters to report on how Black Friday is faring in its spiritual home.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Has the rout in commodity prices finally found a bottom? Is the crisis over? Don't bet on it, argues our experts in this Times Business podcast special on commodities. A decade ago, commodities were at their strength, with a large upward shift in demand that was powered by China’s emergence as a manufacturing superpower. Companies – most especially the miners – signed off huge investments, buying assets and expanding output. But now China's growth is slowing, so what's that done to the commodities sector? Marcus Leroux, Industrial Editor, explains why such enormous expansion projects have had a disastrous effect on the mining companies that will take years to reverse. Find out why he thinks it will be a "long, long time" before the likes of iron ore reach their peak prices of £189 a tonne again. Meanwhile, Robin Pagnamenta, Energy Editor, explains why we are unlikely to see the price of oil bouncing back to their former highs of over $100 a barrel any time soon. And what effect is the high output from...

Marks & Spencer reports its half year results next week. Richard Fletcher, Business Editor of The Times, talks to Deidre Hipwell, retail correspondent, about what to expect from the retailer that she says the British people are “obsessed” with. Will M&S have managed to find the fashion pulse of the nation, especially in their womens’ clothing range? And why has their food always done so consistently well, even during the recession? There are also full year results from the owners of Primark. Deirdre discusses how the retailer is doing abroad and also gives tips on the best to find a quiet Primark to shop in. Meanwhile, BT has been given the green light by the competition watchdog for its takeover of EE. Nic Fildes, Technology & Communications Editor, explains why BT’s chief executive, Gavin Patterson, will now fight “tooth and nail” to make sure Ofcom does not try to split off its Openreach division. And have they got some unlikely defenders in the form of bankers? Finally, Kathryn Hopkins, Eco

After China announced a £6 billion investment in Britain’s nuclear capability, it looks like the deal to build Hinkley nuclear power station is about to be signed. But what does this mean for Britain? Robin Pagnamenta, The Times Energy Editor, says there will be a lot more wrangling over the small print before construction in Somerset even begins. But what’s the timeline over the next decade? Robin also discusses whether most of the top-level work will go to France or Britain and if the UK security services are likely to relax about the deal. Don’t bet on it, he argues. Alongside him, Robert Lea, The Times Industrial Editor, looks ahead to the upcoming third quarter results from Volkswagen. Will investors get more information on the financial implications of the emissions scandal? Bob argues that not even Volkswagen knows how much the scandal will cost “This is huge. This isn’t like BP’s Deepwater Horizon disaster; this is a BP plus an Enron,” he tells listeners. Can it survive? Listen in to find... &

With the City winning a major victory, the corridors of next week’s banking conference will doubtless be filled with conversations about the Treasury’s U-turn on applying guilt to senior managers, as well as amendments to ring-fencing rules. There will also be much discussion on the appointment of Barclays’ new chief executive, Jes Staley, a 34-year veteran of JPMorgan. So, will the Barclays shift its focus back to investment banking, as it did under Bob Diamond? After HSBC ordered contract workers to take a 10 per cent pay cut and two weeks unpaid leave, what next for Britain’s biggest bank? Katherine Griffiths, The Times banking editor, discusses the banking sector. Alongside her, Philip Aldrick, The Times economics editor, analyses the Bank of England. Who is guarding the guardians? A question that will no doubt be put to George Osborne next week when he appears in front of the Treasury select committee to discuss the Bank of England bill. Does the Bank have too much power? Finally, Deirdre Hipwell...

In the week’s since the Volkswagen’s emission scandal broke there has not been a day when they haven’t been in the paper. Next week will be no different. The carmaker’s UK managing director Paul Willis will go in front of two committees next week to face a grilling from MPs about how much he knew and what is being done about it? Can people trust what VW is saying? What should you be doing if you own a diesel VW car? Robert Lea, our industrial editor, discusses the scandal. Also grabbing the headlines is Anheuser-Busch InBev’s attempt to takeover its smaller rival SABMiller. In recent days the war of words has been cranked up and we are fast approaching the takeover deadline when AB InBev will either have to table a formal bid or walk away for another six months. Will there be a deal? What price does AB InBev need to pay to get what it wants? Dom Walsh takes a closer look at the deal, and explains why the biggest loser could be the consumer. Finally, there will be a lot of economic data for the... &

Next week 144 countries' top finance chief will meet in Peru for the IMF and World Bank conference. Philip Aldrick, The Times Economics Editor, will be there and expects conversations to be centred on an imminent US rate rise, problems in China alongside satellite issues such as Greece and Ukraine. But will anything actually be achieved with so many people in the conversation? And why are we expecting bad news to kick it all off? Phil explains. Back in the UK, Tesco is reporting it's latest interim results. There was already a lot of pressure on Dave Lewis, chief executive of Britain's largest supermarket, but that has now been turned up after Sainsbury's recently upgraded its prfit guidance. The City will be hoping for an update on his strategy but are they going to get it? Deirdre Hipwell is not convinced. Finally, we get the latest SMMT car sales figures. September is a key month as it accounts for one fifth of annual sales due to the changing registration plates. But could this be the month the...

Could Britain’s rate of productivity be better than initially thought? Philip Aldrick, The Times Economics Editor, says the upcoming third revision to second-quarter GDP should be able to tell us. The third GDP estimate will come with a series of revisions to previous growth figures over several years. If these are revised upwards, that suggests our productivity is not as bad as it first appears. But it’s a different story in the US, where a decision by the Fed not to raise interest rates have left investors clearly spooked by China, says Alexandra Frean, US Business Editor. “People are really nervous and are reigning in their spending” she explains. In fact, no one knows what’s going to happen to China’s economy, and that’s scaring global policy makers, Philip Aldrick argues. He asks whether we are about to hit a third cycle of the global financial crisis. First there was financial the crisis of 2007-08, then the sovereign debt crisis in Europe, now some people are warning that it’s China’s turn to... &