Financial Times: What It Is, Who Reads It, and Why It Matters in UK and Global News

When you hear Financial Times, a globally respected newspaper focused on business, finance, and economic policy, often called the FT. Also known as The FT, it’s one of the few news brands that professionals actually pay for — not because it’s flashy, but because it delivers clear, accurate, and deep reporting when it matters most. Unlike many news outlets that chase clicks, the Financial Times builds its reputation on slow, careful journalism. Its readers include bankers in London, policymakers in Brussels, CEOs in New York, and investors in Singapore — people who need to understand markets before they move money.

The UK news, the national and regional reporting that shapes public understanding of politics, economy, and society in Britain you see in the Financial Times isn’t just about stock prices. It’s about how interest rate hikes affect small businesses in Manchester, how Brexit reshaped supply chains in Liverpool, or why the Bank of England’s decisions ripple through housing markets from Bristol to Belfast. It’s also deeply connected to global finance, the interconnected systems of markets, currencies, and institutions that move trillions daily across borders. When the FT reports on China’s property crisis or the European Central Bank’s inflation targets, it’s not just telling you what happened — it’s showing you how it changes your job, your savings, or your next grocery bill.

And while many news sites try to be everything to everyone, the Financial Times knows its audience: people who need context, not noise. It doesn’t just report on the stock market — it explains why tech stocks are falling because of AI regulation. It doesn’t just say the UK economy is struggling — it breaks down productivity numbers from the Office for National Statistics and compares them to Germany’s. That’s why it’s trusted by readers who’ve learned the hard way that headlines lie, but data doesn’t. The FT’s editorial independence, funded mostly by subscriptions and not ads, means it doesn’t have to please advertisers or political donors. That’s rare.

What you’ll find in this collection are articles that cut through the noise — from how the FT’s ownership structure keeps it free from corporate pressure, to how its global reporting compares to the BBC or The Guardian, to why so many finance professionals start their day with its morning briefing. Whether you’re trying to understand inflation, track global trade wars, or just figure out why your pension fund is down, these stories give you the real picture — no fluff, no spin, just facts you can use.