The Business

2025 has been a wild ride of big pharma - driven by explosive use of revolutionary weight-loss medication - pushing one of the biggest manufacturers, Eli Lilly, to a trillion-dollar valuation. A dramatic takeover war also saw Denmark’s pharma darling Novo Nordisk trumped by US giant Pfizer. Now, while Novo’s share price is down 50% over the course of the year, Lilly is in the stratosphere normally reserved for the likes of tech firms. But the story’s not over. These, and smaller, challenger companies are slogging it out for market dominance. Who can nail the science for the next holy grail in weight loss meds – an oral pill. And what does investor behaviour tell us about where the market is going? Presenters:Hannah Prevett, Associate Business Editor, The Sunday TimesRichard Fletcher, Business Editor, The TimesGuests:Eleanor Hayward, Health Editor, The TimesPaul Major, portfolio manager at Bellevue Asset managementProducer: Miriam HallSenior Producer: Julia JohnsonExecutive Producer: Kate FordPhoto credit: GettyGet in touch: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gold, the world's oldest asset, is experiencing a remarkable boom. Its value has surged from just over £2000 per ounce a year ago to well over £3000 today, reaching highs not seen since the 1970s. This rapid rise is unusual because gold typically peaks when stock markets decline, yet this rally has coincided with booming equity markets. So, what is driving the value up? Have we reached the peak, or is there more growth to come?Guests:Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times.James Ashley Morrison, Associate Professor, Department of International Relations and Associate Director of the Phelan United States Centre at the London School of Economics & Political Science.Jim Luke, Portfolio Manager of Schroders Global Gold Fund.Producer: Miriam HallSenior Producer: Julia JohnsonExecutive Producer: Kate FordPhoto credit: GettyGet in touch: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of The Business is sponsored by PwC.As AI rapidly reshapes the world of work, businesses face the biggest transformation since the industrial revolution. While 90% of CEOs surveyed are investing in AI, only 15% are currently getting the value. So, what are the tools driving productivity gains? How can companies move AI from an IT project to one that’s truly integrated across the business? And how exactly are the UK’s largest employers preparing their workforces for the future? In this special bonus episode of The Business, recorded at the Times Tech Summit, Dominic O'Connell chairs a discussion with those at the forefront of this new technology. Guests:Dr Seth Dobrin, CEO, Qantm AIDanielle Gilliam-Moore, Director, Global Public Policy, SalesforceUmang Paw, Chief Technology Officer, PwC Hosts:Hannah Prevett, Associate Business Editor, The Sunday TimesDominic O’Connell, columnist, The Times & business reporter, Times Radio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fried chicken is booming in Britain - the market is now worth over £3bn a year. Up and down high streets, a whole new generation of fast food chicken restaurants have sprung up, buzzy US imports like Wingstop and Dave’s Hot Chicken, putting pressure on the established brands.In part, it’s down to Gen Z enthusiasm, driven by pop culture hits like Chicken Shop Date as well as viral ASMR videos of crunching, chewing and sizzling. So how can the market leader and established brand KFC maintain its dominance? And what does the fried chicken boom tell us about the way Britain - and British diets - are changing ?Guest: Rob Swain, General Manager, KFC UK & IrelandHosts: Hannah Prevett, Associate Business Editor, The Sunday TimesDominic O’Connell, columnist, The Times & business correspondent, Times RadioProducer: Miriam HallSenior Producer: Julia JohnsonDevelopment Editor: Sandra ShmueliExecutive Producer: Kate FordGet in touch: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s being described as a "smorgasbord" of a budget - an offer from Rachel Reeves made up not of big, bold moves but of small, bite-sized titbits. But tax is up, spending is up and debt is still high - so do the measures add up to anything appetising for business at all? We pick over the details, from the big picture to the small tweaks in this budget special.Guests: Helen Miller, Institute for Fiscal StudiesSteve Rigby, Rigby GroupRichard Fletcher, Business Editor, The TimesHosts: Hannah Prevett, Associate Business Editor, The Sunday TimesDominic O’Connell, columnist, The Times & business correspondent, Times RadioProducer: Miriam HallSenior Producer: Julia JohnsonDevelopment Editor: Sandra ShmueliExecutive Producer: Kate FordGet in touch: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.