Financial Times Home

Top stories
Europe
France backs Alstom-Siemens train deal

Government’s decision signals a shift in French policy of industrial intervention

The Big Read
European leaders aim to seize the moment for reform
Oil
Brent oil holds highest level since July 2015

Threat to Kurdistan exports combined with strong Chinese buying inject momentum

Banks
Japan’s big banks plan digital currency launch

J Coin designed to wean Japanese off heavy dependency on cash

Food & Beverage
Nestlé sets profit targets in strategic shift

Swiss group aims for 17.5%-18.5% margin by 2020 and accelerates share buyback programme

US Politics & Policy
Alabama vote tests Trump’s conservative appeal

Ex-lobbyist Luther Strange faces evangelical conservative Roy Moore in Tuesday’s vote

Japan Politics & Policy
Koike turns Japan poll into showdown with PM Abe
Michael Skapinker
Orwell was not always right about the passive voice

Good writing requires subtle interpretation of the rules

China Politics & Policy
China ‘strongman’ Xi to put stamp on Communist charter

Wording will be watched as measure of power and for signs of growing cult of personality

Pharmaceuticals
Axovant Alzheimer’s drug fails in clinical trials

New York- based biotech company shares plummet as dementia treatment hopes dashed

new
Analysis Bitcoin
‘Crypto’ hedge funds spring up in crowded field

Managers lured by soaring value of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies

Financial Services
Greenhill slashes dividend as competition bites

M&A boutique to buy out most of its shareholders in radical financial restructuring

Americas
Venezuelan politicians seek refuge abroad

Exiled mayor David Smolansky says country has moved closer to a totalitarian regime

new
Energy
Sasol goes cold on converting gas and coal to liquids

South African company unlikely to push ahead with new $14bn plant in Louisiana

US News

US healthcare reform
Maine senator dooms latest Republican healthcare bill

Susan Collins leaves Graham-Cassidy reform plan short of votes to pass Senate

Technology
Uber chief weighs trip to London to lobby against ban

Dara Khosrowshahi tries to strike a humble and conciliatory tone

US Inequality
Millions of Americans mired in poverty, study finds

Report highlights stark inequalities as 50m remain in ‘distressed communities’

Oil
US oil producers lock in prices after crude’s rally

Futures data suggest hedging is at levels not seen since oil began its slide in 2014

Opinion

The Short View James Kynge
‘Chicken Little’ investors in China given debt boost

Search for opportunities gets under way during grand economic transition

Video FT World video
Labour sets out economic plans

Highlights from John McDonnell's party conference speech

Video FT World video
Labour sets out economic plans
Video FT World video
AfD - the new force in German politics
Video Companies
Uber's London problems
Video The Week Ahead
Catalonia referendum, H&M results

Highlights

Interview Leadership
An Amazon executive embraces Italy’s hardest job

Diego Piacentini brings a digital revolution to the Italian government

Ecommerce
Airlines risk missing out on in-flight ecommerce boon

Extra $30bn could be made if passengers were treated as online consumers, study says

Special Report People’s Technology
How Catalan villages built their own broadband networks

High-speed internet is as essential as water and electricity say farmers

Markets News

Oil
Oil price ‘lower for longer’ era ending, says Trafigura

Trader’s warning of oil crunch as rising demand strains supply comes as Brent nears $60 a barrel

Derivative Exchanges
Bank of England policy shift boosts ICE trading

Currency and interest rate futures contract volumes surge

Oil
US oil producers lock in prices after crude’s rally

Futures data suggest hedging is at levels not seen since oil began its slide in 2014

Technology

Technology
Alibaba spends $800m for Cainiao controlling stake

Enlarged holding in lossmaking logistics platform means less transparent accounting

Technology
Uber chief weighs trip to London to lobby against ban

Dara Khosrowshahi tries to strike a humble and conciliatory tone

Analysis Bitcoin
‘Crypto’ hedge funds spring up in crowded field

Managers lured by soaring value of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies

Life & Arts