Fed holds rates as inflation fears grow

30 July 2026 · 12m

FT News Briefing

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Show notes

Meta and Microsoft reported quarterly earnings as investors raised concerns about AI spending, and the US Federal Reserve held interest rates steady. The Bank of Japan is also expected to leave rates unchanged at its meeting on Friday, and UK oil and gas companies are looking away from the North Sea in favour of foreign investment opportunities.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Microsoft’s cloud business boosts sales as AI investment climbs to $41bn

Meta shares drop on falling profits and weak sales forecast

US central bank holds rates steady even as Iran war threatens fresh jolt of inflation

UK North Sea oil companies look overseas for growth

Investors warn Bank of Japan faces test to inflation-fighting credibility

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Credit: Federal Reserve

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The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Flo Phillips is the FT’s global head of audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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