Danni Hewson and Dan Coatsworth discuss the market impact of rising oil prices and what central banks might do next. Commodities expert Adam Rozencwajg explains how Middle East tensions are affecting global oil supplies, where investment opportunities lie, and what the oil industry might do next.

Also in this episode: John Healey's first major speech as Chancellor, rising mortgage rates, falling house prices, job cuts at Jaguar Land Rover, saving for university costs, and a simple guide to valuing shares.

[02:40] Oil tops $100: what's next?
[07:12] Inflation and interest rates in focus
[15:03] Expert talks oil supply issues
[28:35] The UK government’s new growth pitch
[32:05] Job losses at big car companies
[37:51] UK government borrowing costs surge
[40:29] Housing market turns lower
[43:23] How the Bank of Mum and Dad are preparing for university bills
[50:45] Simple guide to valuing shares

Hannah Williford speaks to Rob Perrone from Orbis Investments for a deeper look at the recent bond market moves, while Tom examines Nvidia’s latest earnings, whether AI demand can keep justifying its valuation, BP’s new chair and Shein’s difficult Hong Kong stock market debut. Charlene looks at signs of weakness in the UK housing market, including house price and mortgage approvals data. She also explores record capital gains tax receipts and why some pension savers may not be getting all the tax relief they are owed.

Charlene Young and Sarah Coles examine the growing political debate around social care reform and the options for paying for care. They discuss AJ Bell’s campaign for a Pensions Tax Lock to protect against the dangers of Budget speculation. They also delve into new data, including details of the gender tax gap, the latest twist in the dash for Cash ISAs, how holidays dominate our savings priorities, and an unexpected new shopping trend.

[00:00] Bank of England interest rates decision

[01:18] Intro

[02:42] Tesla results

[04:39] Alphabet Update

[07:14] Market jitters

[08:07] News on SK Hynix and CXMT

[09:15] Apple valuation

[12:36] World Cup boost for Unilever and Coca Cola

[18:01] Interview: the AI bubble vs the dotcom boom and bust

[41:51] Social care reform and planning for care costs

[46:27] Call for a Pension Tax Lock to protect against Budget speculation

[51:55] The narrowing of the gender tax gap

[56:58] Bank of England savings figures

[59:37] Holiday savings habits and financial priorities

[01:03:09] Feta fatigue and reverse comfort eating

They consider what the appointment of John Healey as Chancellor means for defence spending, and the row about how a VAT cut on domestic energy bills will be paid for.

There’s been some good news on inflation for the new government but it’s likely to be short lived, and there’s pressure to cut employers’ National Insurance for under 25s.

Rachel Vahey tackles the popular question: once you retire, do you dip into your ISA or pension first?

Danni and Dan discuss why is Primark cutting prices ahead of being spun out of its parent company.

James Flintoft, AJ Bell’s head of investment solutions, joins Dan to discuss the broader state of markets as the oil price climbs back above $90 dollars a barrel.

Timestamps:
Market reaction to Andy Burnham’s first few days as PM [02:16]
Will the new Chancellor prioritise defence spending? [08:26}
Lots of speculation about this year’s Budget [15:37]
The latest on inflation [19:24]
Rachel on dipping into an ISA or pension first [28:59]
Why Primark is slashing prices [45:35]
Takeovers galore [52:35]
James talks to Dan about markets, oil prices and more [55:50]

Tom Sieber joins the show for a busy week of company news, with easyJet, Marks & Spencer, TikTok Shop, IBM, Barratt Redrow, PageGroup, Hays all making headlines.

Plus, Charlene explores the fastest fall in mortgage rates for almost two years, reveals what the latest HMRC figures tell us about Britain's growing tax burden, and looks at where holidaymakers will get the most value from their spending money this summer.

Topics covered
[00:08] Introduction & market roundup
[02:09] Strait of Hormuz, oil prices and global trade
[10:41] US inflation, bank earnings and interest rates
[13:41] Rachel Reeves' Mansion House speech
[15:50] easyJet update
[17:23] Marks & Spencer and TikTok Shop
[23:14] Buy Now, Pay Later regulation changes
[25:26] Shares magazine highlights with Tom Sieber
[27:33] IBM results and tech spending trends
[30:07] PayPal takeover approach
[32:28] Barratt Redrow update and shareholder returns
[35:23] Recruitment sector outlook: PageGroup & Hays
[38:01] Paramount-Warner Bros deal challenges
[40:10] Mortgage rates fall sharply
[42:00] HMRC tax data and fiscal drag
[46:43] Holiday spending money: where the pound goes furthest

You're not alone. In this week’s AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast, Dan Coatsworth and Charlene Young reveal fascinating insights into Premium Bonds and explain what millions of holders who have never won a prize could have earned elsewhere.

They discuss the eye-watering increase in probate costs, a report branding student loans as ‘mis-sold’, and what Terry Smith’s latest shareholder letter could mean for investors in the Fundsmith Equity Fund.

In the markets section, we cover Sky’s move for parts of ITV, the latest twist in EasyJet’s takeover story, and some intriguing developments at SpaceX. Dan also discusses the market sell-off as Donald Trump says the US/Iran peace deal is over.

Finally, AJ Bell investment experts Ryan Hughes and James Flintoft join Hannah Williford for a lively debate on artificial intelligence, its investment potential, and whether the hype is justified.

0:00 Introduction

2:05 Premium Bonds: what millions of savers may be missing

5:19 Probate costs set for a dramatic rise

12:06 Student loans branded 'mis-sold'

18:11 Is Terry Smith reinventing Fundsmith Equity fund?

24:39 World Cup fever and the UK economy

26:34 Sky buys parts of ITV

30:06 EasyJet takeover speculation

31:59 Market sell-off as peace deal falls apart

33:45 This is what brokers are saying about SpaceX 36:20 AI investing debate

Then, Dan speaks to HG Capital to discuss how the private equity trust is investing in the AI boom, followed by Hannah, who speaks with Rob Lloyd from JPM Asia Growth and Income on their approach to the AI sector, and what’s being overlooked.

Finally, Dan gets the scoop on annual general meetings, and what investors might get out of them, with Temple Bar Investment Trust’s Charles Cade.

[00:00] Introduction

[01:29] Dan and Hannah speak about narrowing discounts in the investment trust industry

[07:50] Eve and Martin discuss a group of trusts trusts trading on a premium

[16:22] Dan interviews HG Capital on investing in AI in the private equity space

[31:58] Hannah interviews JPM Asia Growth and Income on if AI can continue to grow returns in Asia, and what’s happened to India

[50:55]]Dan speaks to Charles Cade from Temple Bar about what investors can get out of annual general meetings

[1:00:50]Outro

Dan Coatsworth rounds up the week’s market news, including updates on Associated British Foods, Sainsbury’s and gold, and speaks to Paul Niven from F&C Investment Trust about what recent market movements mean for investors.

[00:09] Intro

[01:29] Associated British Foods results

[02:48] Sainsburys Update

[03:54] Gold loses its shine

[05:03] Interview Paul Niven, manager of the F&C Investment Trust

[12:43] What Andy Burnham’s approach means for your money

[19:52] The dash for cash ISAs continues

[24:02] July deadline for self-employed

[27:12] Taylor Swift and the benefits of marriage

[35:06] Tooth Fairy inflation

[38:13] Junior ISA performance

[42:14] Lost child trust funds

We also cover falling oil prices, tech stock volatility, SpaceX’s wild IPO ride, and big moves from takeover target EasyJet.

In personal finance, Rachel Vahey explains major tax-related changes to ISAs and plans for a new First Time Buyer ISA, while Ruffer’s Ian Rees joins us to debate whether the classic 60/40 portfolio still works.

Burnham PM? Markets, chancellor contenders & your money [0:01:36]
Oil plunges as US–Iran talks progress [0:12:31]
Tech stocks hit – should you worry? [0:15:43]
SpaceX IPO chaos: shares swing wildly [0:20:33]
EasyJet rejects takeover bid [0:25:31]
Cash ISA changes explained [0:30:46]
New ISA for first-time buyers? [0:35:05]
Is 60/40 dead? Ruffer's Ian Rees weighs in [0:38:08]
Heatwave winners and losers: who is in the frame? [0:55:08]

Martin Gamble joins the duo to reveal his research on how different regions stack up on valuations, and Tom shares where AJ Bell investors are looking most frequently. Finally, Eve Maddock-Jones speaks to John Citron on the challenges and benefits of investing in emerging markets.

Timestamps:

[00:09] Introduction: Tom Sieber and Hannah Williford introduce the episode and explain why overseas investing matters for UK investors. 

[01:43] Global trackers, ETFs and active funds: how UK investors can access overseas markets, compare costs and indices, and understand how managers pick global stocks. 

[12:50] Interview with Paul Angell: the pros and cons of using fund managers who are based in the regions where they invest. 

[25:45] Comparing global markets with Martin Gamble: how different regions stack up on valuations, dividends and the types of companies that dominate each market. 

[31:32] Buying overseas shares directly: market opening hours, dealing access, minimum trade sizes and practical issues for UK investors. 

[39:15] Interview with John Citron: the challenges of managing an emerging markets portfolio across lots of different countries. 

[51:20] Final takeaways: Tom and Hannah recap the key lessons from the episode and wrap up the podcast. 

Danni takes a closer look at the blockbuster SpaceX IPO and why investors are piling in, Charlene runs through some eye-catching ‘trillionaire maths’ and reflects on 10 years since the Brexit vote. There’s a warning for motorists over the cost of spreading car insurance payments and Danni sits down with JP Morgan to find out what’s happening on the ground in Korea and other emerging markets. Plus, we bring you a teaser of a special series of video chats with Bill Ackman, CEO of Pershing Square.

[00:08] Intro

[01:26] Middle East impact on markets and oil

[06:30] UK inflation update and interest rate expectations

[16:42] Pizza Hut sale

[22:04] SpaceX IPO review

[36:07] Bill Ackman

[37:57] Brexit vote – 10 years on

[42:34] Which? warning on car insurance

[45:28] Interview – Emily Whiting, investment specialist at JP Morgan

Charlene talks us through changes to inheritance rules which could affect cohabiting couples and the things people should think about when passing on wealth to family and dependents. Tom reveals what readers of the latest free monthly Shares magazine can expect including the next phase of the AI story and how Netflix is looking to grow after missing out on acquiring Warner Bros.

Finally, Charlene discusses plans to broaden access to mortgages in the UK and what they might mean for the property market and Tom and Charlene discuss some interesting new stats on pocket money.

00:00 Introduction

01:24 Markets: ChatGPT IPO, GSK's biggest deal in a decade & a UK takeover

16:19 Inheritance rules: cohabiting couples & passing on wealth

22:30 Shares magazine: AI's next phase & Netflix's growth plans

26:17 UK mortgage access & pocket money stats

There’s also a deep dive into the latest surge in AI excitement, from a major potential Anthropic IPO to huge fundraising moves by Google parent Alphabet, with takeover chatter in sectors like aviation and renewables.

The new Retirement Living Standards are out, showing how inflation is upping the cost of even a modest lifestyle in retirement. Sarah and Charlene also talk about fresh savings and lending data from the Bank of England, and what’s really happening in the UK housing market. The episode concludes with Dan Coatsworth sitting down with Richard Jeffery, executive chair of Reading based firm ActiveOps to find out how AI is central to what they do.

In this episode:

• Market update: geopolitics, oil and investor sentiment [01:46]
• AI boom: Anthropic IPO and Alphabet’s $80bn raise [04:06]
• Company news: EasyJet, Drax and defensive stocks that have disappointed [09:15]
• Retirement Living Standards: how much you really need [13:56]
• Savings & borrowing: latest Bank of England data [29:29]
• Housing market outlook and mortgage trends [31:46]
• Interview: Richard Jeffery, executive chair of ActiveOps [38:25]

00:00 Introduction: What makes investment trusts unique

04:30 What does a trust board actually do? (Tom Sieber & Mark Bridgeman)

19:00 Investment trusts vs funds: Who wins? (Nick Britton, AIC)

33:20 Private equity explained: Inside ICG Enterprise Trust (ICG Colm Walsh)

47:45 Space & defence boom: Seraphim Investment Trust (Mark Bogget)

01:06:45 Outro & key takeaways

There’s pressure building for businesses too, as Ryanair flags rising fuel costs, and Marks & Spencer and Jaguar Land Rover lay bare the growing financial toll of cyber attacks. We also dive into the forces reshaping what was formerly the UK high street, with more big banking brands on brink of disappearing completely, and unpack what a potential mansion tax could mean for homeowners.

Plus, two insightful interviews: one exploring how supply chains are becoming a major investment theme, and another on the critical mineral antimony as surging demand drives the reopening of an Australian mine. And to finish, we move from hard economics to headline acts, and look at how Harry Styles’ Wembley run could generate over £1bn in spending, proving the experience economy is alive and well.

[00:00] Introduction

[01:46] Inflation & jobs – what the latest data tells us

[09:35] Gilts, politics & the Makerfield by-election ripple effect

[12:10] Ryanair warns on rising oil prices [

15:26] M&S & JLR – counting the cost of cyber attacks

[21:39] Interview: Supply chains with Jamie Mills O’Brien (Aberdeen)

[34:13] Bank brands that are set to disappear – Halifax rumours & TSB confirmed changes

[36:39] Mansion tax consultation – what’s on the table

[40:44] The £1.1bn Harry Styles effect

[45:07] Interview: Antimony & critical minerals with Ron Heeks (Larvotto Resources)

[54:13] Closing thoughts

Charlene discusses why age 28 is a critical financial year for women, leading to significant pension disparities. We also explore a new report highlighting the risk of pension poverty for 12.2 million UK adults and what can be done to mitigate this issue.

Special guest Sarah Willingham, former Dragon's Den judge and now CEO of bars group Nightcap, shares her insights on the challenges facing the hospitality sector. Plus, we revisit some of the success stories from Dragon's Den.

Dan also talks to Joe Winkley from Winterflood Securities about why retail investors are starting to have greater opportunities to support company growth plans.

Tune in for a comprehensive look at these pressing financial topics and more. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with our latest episodes.

0:09 – Impact of politics on financial markets and the power of ‘bond vigilantes’

12:06 – Greggs goes to Tenerife

14:35 – Age 28: Financial crunch year for women

24:10 – Risk of pension poverty for 12.2 million UK adults

28:23 – Interview with Sarah Willingham from Nightcap

50:59 – Business winners and losers from Dragon’s Den TV show

54:12 – Tom Sieber on the new issue of Shares magazine

56:25 – Opportunities for retail investors to support company fundraisings

Timestamps:

[01:19] Geopolitics and markets: Iran/Middle East developments 

[03:44] Government borrowing costs: what’s driving yields higher 

[06:29] Next’s latest results

[09:56] Novo Nordisk and weight-loss drugs 

[11:50] HSBC’s profits fall 

[13:17] Diageo’s World Cup boost 

[17:27] Interview: Hugh Yarrow (Evenlode Income) on investing in quality companies 

[33:08] Fuel watch: the impact of oil-market tensions 

[36:57] Cash ISAs soar in popularity

[44:23] Cost-of-living: the ‘luxuries’ people won’t give up

[01:24] Hannah and Eve talk about the latest news in trust windups, and what investors need to be prepared for if theirs is on the chopping block. 

[10:03] Dan speaks to Felise Agranoff from JP Morgan American Trust about the sentiment surrounding the US in the midst of the US-Iran War.  

[24:51] Jeremiah Buckley from North American Income Trust joins Hannah for a second US perspective, and talks about why getting dividends from US companies is an underrated approach for investors.  

[38:11] Ryan Lightfoot-Aminoff from Kepler talks to Dan about finding income in unexpected areas of the market, and why investors are needing to get creative with where they look. 

[54:19] FGEN’s Charlie Wright rounds off the pod speaking about the state of the renewable energy infrastructure sector, where many trusts are rotating away from their dividend-paying roots.  

Dan Coatsworth and Danni Hewson discuss BP’s bumper first‑quarter profits and Shell’s $16bn bid for Arc Resources, weak underlying UK retail sales, and the collapse of Claire’s Accessories. Dan also explores why several UK-listed companies have recently fallen into administration.

Dan talks to Morningstar’s Grant Slade about mounting political uncertainty ahead of the 7 May local elections and what a change in prime minister could mean for the economy and financial markets. The pod team also debate whether buy‑to‑let still makes sense under the new Renters’ Rights Act.

This week’s big interview features investing heavyweight Cathie Wood from Ark Invest who shares her 2026 outlook, including why she’s buying Tesla, selling AMD and remains relaxed about OpenAI’s latest setback.

Apple has named a new CEO as Tim Cook moves up to executive Chairman, TikTok has moved into payments. Is this new debit card venture actually smart innovation?

Dan speaks to Bloomberg Intelligence consumer analyst Conroy Gaynor about jet fuel shortages, the impact of the Middle East crisis on airlines, and what it means for investors as we head into peak travel season.

Finally, with the government launching a new campaign to encourage first‑time investors, Charlene and Dan explore how people can take those initial steps into investing and why funds are often a sensible starting point. To round this off we bring you a conversation between Danni Hewson and AJ Bell’s James Flintoft on how the AJ Bell funds have been performing.

[00:09] Intro
[01:05] UK Inflation rises to 3.3%
[07:26] Primark IPO
[14:11] Government energy price announcement
[17:17] New CEO for Apple
[21:30] Tiktok debit card
[26:18] Interview: How the conflict is affecting on airlines, travellers and investors. Dan Coatsworth talks to Conroy Gaynor from Bloomberg Insights
[40:10] New investing campaign
[52:22] Interview: Danni Hewson gets the AJ Bell funds latest from James Flintoft

The pair cover a stark IMF warning on the global economy, what the latest market moves mean for investors, and how professional fund managers are positioning their money right now.

There’s company news from BP and Vistry, a look at why house flipping is falling out of favour, and a reality check on whether playing the lottery could be holding back your long‑term wealth.

With the new tax year underway, Charlene explains Bed & ISA in plain English. She also chats with Dan about why Greggs, Domino’s and Asda are making eyebrow‑raising moves – plus rumours of Lidl entering the UK mobile phone market.

That leads into Amazon’s latest play combining phones and space, why there is confusion about the state pension confusion, and a warning about rising scam risks.

Intro – 00:00:09

IMF warning, peace talks & global market overview – 00:02:58

What fund managers are thinking about – 00:09:48

Updates on BP and Vistry – 00:12:25

The demise of house flipping – 00:16:28

Lottery players: what if you spent that money investing instead? – 00:19:16

How Bed & ISA works – 00:23:58

Why Greggs, Domino’s & Asda are making different moves – 00:28:13

Lidl phone deal on the way? – 00:34:29

Amazon vs SpaceX: phones, satellites & the space economy – 00:36:09

Shares magazine preview with Tom Sieber – 00:37:32

Millions still confused about the state pension – 00:39:27

Pension scam warning as fuel payment recovery begins – 00:43:43

02:24 Tom Selby and Tom Sieber discuss how retirement is changing, why it no longer has to mean stopping work completely, and what earning part-time or freelance income could mean for your pension planning.

06:34 They break down the main ways to access your pension, including drawdown and annuities, and ask whether the best approach for many retirees might be a mix of both.

10:33 The pair look at the key retirement dates and milestones people need to know, including changes to the Normal Minimum Pension Age and how the State Pension fits into the wider retirement income picture.

18:10 The two Toms examine some of the biggest threats to retirement finances, including longevity risk, sequence risk, inflation and the danger of drawing too much too soon.

24:25 Tom Selby speaks to Rick Gosling, a financial adviser at Five Wealth, about how retirees can manage their money sustainably and avoid common financial pitfalls later in life.

46:42 Tom Sieber catches up with Rachel Vahey, AJ Bell’s head of public policy, to discuss what the inheritance tax changes could mean in practice — and what people can do if they think they may be affected.

01:08:19 Both Toms wrap up with the big takeaways from the episode, including the importance of flexibility, planning ahead and making your retirement savings work for the long term.

In this week’s AJ Bell Money & Markets, Dan Coatsworth is joined by Danni Hewson to break down the market reaction, what’s driving sentiment, and the key things investors still need to keep in mind.

We also cover:

Major company news, including an update to car finance compensation claims and disappointing updates from Shell
Eye‑opening statistics from the electric vehicle market
A proposed takeover of Universal Music – and why it’s more important than it first appears
Changes to student loans and what they mean for borrowers
Fresh developments in the housing market
New rules making it easier to cancel subscriptions
The pros and cons of investing at the start versus the end of the tax year
Plus, we continue our series highlighting lesser‑known UK companies making a global impact, with Tom Sieber speaking to Craneware CEO Keith Neilson about healthcare innovation in the US.

00:00 – Intro
01:47 – Markets rebound after Iran ceasefire: what happened and why

16:14 – Shell shares fall: what went wrong?

20:00 – Why the car finance scandal has led to one lender being put up for sale

23:39 – Electric vehicle market: the key stats investors should know

26:09 – Universal Music takeover: why this deal matters

30:15 – Student loans update: what borrowers need to know

33:36 – Why the UK housing market is in a slumber

35:28 – Good news for cancelling subscriptions
38:33 – Investing at the start vs end of the tax year

41:05 – UK success story: we talk to the boss of Craneware

They consider why Temple Bar continues to outperform, what’s holding back JPMorgan Global Growth & Income, and the latest activist pressure from Saba targeting Edinburgh Worldwide and Impax.

Hannah speaks to Job Curtis from City of London Investment Trust about how today’s geopolitical tensions echo past market cycles. Dan and Hannah also explore why renewable energy trusts are still on the scrap heap.

We also hear from Eve Maddock‑Jones on the good, bad and ugly of trusts courting retail investors through modern media — with mixed results. Finally, Tom Sieber talks to two managers spotting tentative recovery signs in the smaller companies sector, with insights from Nish Patel (Global Smaller Companies) and George Cooke (Montanaro European Smaller Companies).

02:03 –Dan on why Temple Bar is still beating the market
05:20 – JPMorgan Global Growth & Income lags behind

09:20 – Activist investor Saba launches new investment fund and the latest on its efforts to shake up Edinburgh Worldwide & Impax Environmental Markets
15:13– Hannah talks to Job Curtis: Market lessons from past geopolitical shocks
30:51 – Eve Maddock‑Jones on how trusts are (mis)using modern media
48:34 – Small-cap recovery? Tom Sieber speaks to Nish Patel
57:39 – European opportunities with George Cooke

Tom has the latest from the corporate world – with updated from B&Q owner Kingfisher and Revolut, as well as the rumours that Estee Lauder is to merge with a big name in the beauty and fashion world. The latest CBI survey from UK retailers also features.

To finish on a high, Dan Coatsworth brings us a fascinating chat with Premier Foods’ Chief Financial Officer Duncan Leggett. With 89% of households purchasing at least one of their famous brands in the last 12 months, this is an interview not to miss.

[00:16] – What’s on today’s episode
[00:58] – Iran conflict – Tom updates us on oil prices & market volatility
[04:06] – UK government response & potential energy support measures
[06:15] – Charlene looks at the latest UK inflation data – calm before the storm?
[08:28] – Food price warnings and household impact
[11:50] – Tom brings us company updates from Kingfisher & Revolut
[15:58] – Beauty sector merger rumours
[18:53] – CBI UK retail data: how bad is it?
[22:14] – Dan sits down with Premier Foods CFO Duncan Leggett.

This week we dive into everything from the surprising new additions to the UK inflation basket (yes… hummus and dashcams!) to the impact of rising oil prices on carmakers and travel firms. We also look at fast changing mortgage deals, the rush to use key tax year end allowances, and what could happen next with interest rates in the UK, US and beyond. 

We’re also joined by a fantastic guest: Jonathan Guthrie, longtime Financial Times journalist, former Head of Lex, and now author – who shares brilliant insights on investing narratives, market crashes, and how investors can stay sane when markets wobble. 

If you care about money, investing or markets – this one’s packed with value. 

00:25 – What’s on today’s episode: Market narratives, inflation surprises, oil prices, mortgages, tax year end, and this week’s special guest. 

01:26 – Dan looks at how financial markets have performed over the past week 

03:30 – Changes to interest rate expectations and mortgage pricing – and what it means if you’re in the process of buying a home. 

09:40 – Company highlights of the week. Good news from Diploma, Softcat and Moonpig. 

13:02 – Charlene on this year’s inflation basket update. Why hummus and dashcams are in – and what’s out. 

17:15 – Thinking about holiday plans or a car upgrade? How rising oil is impacting carmakers and the travel industry. 

22:41 – Tax year end: last minute wins. There is still time to use valuable allowances. 

28:13 – Dan talks to award-winning journalist Jonathan Guthrie about investing and market behaviour 

We also look at Persimmon’s results and why Domino’s might offer a rare bright spot, plus practical tips on staying calm when markets are volatile. And with the tax year deadline approaching, we answer your most common ISA questions – from lump sum investing to flexible ISAs and avoiding last-minute mistakes. 

You’ll also hear where ISA millionaires are investing right now, and a quickfire round of ISA myths vs facts to help you make smarter decisions before the deadline. 

If you enjoy this episode, please like and subscribe.  

01:22 Middle East tensions & energy market moves 

06:51 Persimmon results - UK housebuilders update  

09:22 Domino’s results – volumes fall on tough conditions 

12:02 Inside the latest issue of Shares magazine 

14:38 How investors can stay calm in volatile markets 

20:26 Personal finance implications of market turbulence 

23:40 Dividend tax changes from 6 April explained 

25:44 ISA millionaires – where they’re investing now 

31:35 ISA Q&A: your questions answered 

41:54 What’s coming up next week 

We also unpack Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement, including the key wins, the potential risks, and what the new OBR forecasts could mean for your personal finances, UK economy outlook, and interest rates. 

In company news, Greggs surprises the market despite falling profits, TG Jones (the new name in front of old WH Smith stores) struggles on the high street, and BrewDog investors face a harsh lesson in why crowdfunding is not the same as stock market investing. 

There’s also an important update on wills you’ll want to know about — plus two expert interviews exploring the biggest trend in global markets: AI investing. 

Orbis’ Simon Skinner discusses US sectors with an AI tailwind, while Brown Advisory’s Colby Stilson explains why major tech names are issuing bonds to fund massive AI infrastructure projects. 

A huge week, big market moves, and crucial insights for anyone following investment markets, financial news, and longterm investing. 

If you enjoy this episode, please like and subscribe. 

Timestamps 
[02:16] – Market sell-off: What’s moving shares, oil, gas & bonds 
[02:43] – Middle East tensions: How markets behaved in past conflicts 
[15:39] – Spring Statement: What Rachel Reeves’ update means for your money 
[19:11] – Greggs results reaction 
[24:11] – TG Jones struggles on the high street 
[27:54] – BrewDog takeover and the risks of crowdfunding 
[32:17] – Free Will Month explained 
[34:50] – AI interview 1: US sectors with an AI tailwind (Simon Skinner, Orbis) 
[48:40] – AI interview 2: Why big tech is issuing bonds (Colby Stilson, Brown Advisory) 
[01:00:48] – Closing & next week’s ISA special 

Dan speaks with Martin Connaghan of Murray International to discuss the investing debate around sin stocks, ethical investing, and whether morals come into fund manager portfolio decisions. 

Hannah interviews Nicola Takada Wood, managing director, Japan at Asset Value Investors about Japan’s recent election and the outlook for investing in the country. 

Finally, Dan chats with Stephen Anness from Invesco Global Equity Income Trust about the prospects for dividend growth and why he's looking in less obvious places for income. 

00:00 — Introduction: What’s coming up 
01:23 — What investment trust discounts are, why they matter, and the big changes observed by Hannah and Dan 
12:42 — Dan talks to Martin Connaghan on sin stocks and ethical investing 
27:25 — Hannah chats with Nicola Takada Wood about Japan’s political landscape and what that means for investors 
41:00 — Interview: Stephen Anness on the search for attractive dividends 

If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to like and subscribe for more insights from the AJ Bell investing team. 

Diageo’s first results under Sir Dave Lewis show that not even Guinness couldn’t steady the ship at the big brand giant, plus a £1 billion funding boost for UK self-driving tech firm Wayve. Cuts to the energy price cap and the odds of winning on Premium Bonds.

Adam Rackley from the Cape Wrath Focus Fund tells Dan Coatsworth why he likes to invest when others are jumping ship.

[00:10] – Welcome 
[01:34] – Markets are shrugging off the latest tariff drama...for now
[08:45] – Danni Hewson has the latest on the AI arms race, with AMD, Meta and Anthropic
[14:40] – Diageo results show 'Drastic Dave' has his work cut out
[20:00] – Danni shares AJ Bell's consumer trends research findings
[24:00] - UK self driving firm Wayve raises another £1 billion in a funding deal
[27:45] - Bidding war for Warner Bros: Paramount comes back with a sweeter deal
[30:00] – Energy price cap cut: Charlene Young looks at how this measures up against promised £150 cuts to bills
[32:51] - Rachel Reeves delivers her Spring Statement next week; what might be in it? 
[38:11] – NS&I slashes premium bond prize funds rate and chances of winning 
[42:10] – Dan Coatsworth talks value investing with Cape Wrath Focus Fund

Dan Coatsworth also sits down with Filtronic, the company behind an 800% share price surge and major new contracts with SpaceX. Big gains, big deals – and big insights you won’t want to miss.

If you enjoy this podcast, please select ‘like’ and ‘subscribe’.

[00:09] – Welcome & what’s moving markets this week
[01:21] – How the UK stock market is outperforming the US (again)
[03:48] – Why insider trades at Raspberry Pi & M&S really matter
[07:53] – The Japanese toilet company tipped as the next AI winner
[09:36] – UK inflation: Charlene Young breaks down the latest numbers
[12:20] – Scam alert: Charlene exposes fake celebrity investment ads
[16:26] – Filtronic CEO interview: SpaceX contracts, defence deals & an 800% share price surge
[31:49] – Why annuities are suddenly back in demand
[36:19] – The worrying rise of UK households struggling to earn a decent living
[39:03] – Small caps comeback? Fund manager Richard Penny shares his signs of recovery

Dan Coatsworth and Tom Sieber unpack the latest results from Shell, BP and Barclays. [05:05] 

AI has haunted parts of the stock market once again, with financial comparison websites and insurance brokers the latest victims as investors fear major disruption to their business. [11:12] 

There was some remarkable news in the pharmaceutical space as Novo Nordisk battled Him & Her’s amid controversy around the launch of copycat weight-loss drugs. The pod team explore the weight loss drug space in more detail and explain why one analyst thinks Greggs is a major loser as people slim down. [15:05] 

Dan talks to Trevor Polishchuk from Worldwide Healthcare about how Eli Lilly has scored the top slot in the weight-loss drug market [24:13]. Martin Gamble chats to Oliver Kenyon from RTW Investment about other names to watch in this space. [30:13] 

Charlene Young is on the show to explain why everyone’s talking about student loans. [33:00] 

Finally, Danni Hewson talks to Pathos Communications about its experiences of listing on the UK stock market and the use of AI in the public relations industry. [45:32] 

There’s plenty to go at on the personal finance front with Santander becoming the biggest lender to offer a mortgage with just a 2% deposit for first time buyers [20:46], but new data shows one in three of those taking their first steps on the housing ladder are doing it with a 25% deposit [18:32]. Plus, an estimated 1 million people have missed the self-assessment tax return deadline. [24:59]

We’ve got two guest interviews this week, first with Andrew Westhead, retail director at NS&I, about what makes premium bonds the most popular savings product in the UK [29:56]. And with Kier Starmer becoming the latest world leader to thaw relations with China, Chris Tennant from Fidelity Emerging Markets discusses if that makes China more investible and the allure of companies like TSMC benefiting from the AI boom [44:31].

The pair discuss the outlook for activist investors in the investment trust space, the extent to which Saba is involved in the industry, and who could be the next targets. [02:05] 

Dan talks to Ed Cartright, CEO of Arcus Investment, about a desire to replace the manager at Baillie Gifford Shin Nippon and take over running the trust. [15:13] 

This episode’s big theme is the healthcare space [25:37]. Dan talks to Gareth Powell from Polar Capital Global Healthcare Trust about why the sector disappointed for several years and has now burst back to life; as well as the underappreciated importance of generic drugs. 

Martin Gamble talks to Oliver Kenyon from RTW Investments about why big drug companies are buying small biotech firms. 

Dan also chats to Trevor Polishchuk from Worldwide Healthcare on how pharma companies have effectively been forced to invest heavily in the US to avoid tariffs; why Donald Trump has launched a website so consumers can buy medicines direct from manufacturers; and the outlook for drug pricing globally.  

Finally, Hannah interviews Carlos Hardenberg from the Mobius Investment Trust about dealing with political turmoil in emerging markets, and how he safeguards his investments from it. [49:37] 

Download AJ Bell’s free report on activists in the investment trust space: https://www.ajbell.co.uk/investment/investment-trust-report

In Pensions Corner, we are joined by AJ Bell’s Rachel Vahey to discuss changes to when you can access your own pensions and claim, the state pension plus the latest on the government’s review of WASPI compensation (25:00). Charlene brings you updates on NS&I cutting savings rates again (32:30), and reveals new stats on what really happens when Junior ISA holders turn 18 (35:20).

Dan Coatsworth examines how financial markets have reacted to Donald Trump’s threats to take over Greenland. Gold is closing in on $5,000 per ounce as investors seek assets that have historically protected people in tough times. [03:21] 

We’ve just had the second FTSE 100 takeover bid of 2026, and we’re only weeks into the new year. Dan talks about the bid for Beazley, and the downside if it disappears from the UK stock market. [07:16] 

When the pensions lifetime allowance was abolished in 2024, it created a myth that age 75 no longer matters in the world of pensions. Charlene Young explains why 75 is still incredibly important. [08:53] 

Discover how much first-time buyers need for a 10% deposit on a home in different parts of the country, and what the latest inflation figures mean for the direction of interest rates and mortgages in 2026. [14:08] 

It’s important to have a will so your assets go to the people of your choice when you die, but lawyers are now saying certain wills might be invalid. Charlene reveals all. [19:08] 

AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould talks to Dan about what buy, hold, sell ratings on shares really mean, how they’re created, and which UK stocks have the most or least of certain types of ratings. [25:13] 

Finally, Danni Hewson talks to James Flintoft from AJ Bell’s investments team about how AJ Bell funds performed last year and his thoughts on the year ahead. [35:14] 

Laith and Tom debate the merits of cautious investing and how bad a market crash can be for your wealth. [00:09]

Laith talks to Stefani Williams, a financial adviser with Holden and Partners, about how she assesses her clients’ risk profiles. [8:50]

Laith and Tom discuss tips for cautious investors. [19:25]

Tom catches up with Alastair Laing, the manager of the Capital Gearing Trust. [40:40]

Laith and Tom talk about other risks, like holding too much cash and hitting retirement without enough money. [55:50]

Dan Coatsworth speaks with Christopher Hart from Boston Partners about why financial markets have remained calm despite political uncertainty, and why he sees more opportunities in the UK and Europe than in the US. [22:16] Finally, we look at Britain’s Rightmove browsing habit, exploring why so many of us enjoy looking at properties online even when we aren’t planning to move, and what it tells us about the housing and mortgage market. [34:27]

Whilst London’s blue chip broke records the IPO pipeline in the UK was patchy, Dan considers what did well [23:30]  and Danni explains why it could be the year of the “Mega IPO” with three massive US tech companies reportedly gearing up for a stock market listing, but can Open AI, Anthropic and Space X all successfully get IPOs over the line in 2026?  [27:45] Next has set the bar high for UK retailers  but as Claire’s Accessories collapses into administration there are fears about the health of the high street. [32:00] Plus, credit card spending surges, Alyx Wood from Kernow Asset Management digs into the spending power of over 50s [41:30] and thousands of people file their tax return whilst digesting the Christmas turkey. [51:20]

Dan dives into the tech world with Mike Seidenberg from Allianz Technology Trust to scope out what 2026 might hold and how the industry is evolving in China. [17:40]

AJ Bell’s Martin Gamble and Tom Sieber pick apart the Aurora UK Alpha Investment Trust and its Warren Buffett-inspired strategy, which has a particular stock picking process. [37:21]

Finally, Hannah speaks with Shavar Halberstadt from Winterflood Research about the private equity sector. It’s gained a lot of attention this year, but is it relevant for the average investor? [50:10]

Dan Coatsworth considers what the latest UK economic data is telling us [05:11], and Tom Sieber chats about UK property market trends, planning reforms and what could be in store for real estate in 2026 [08:48].

The pod team explore how financial markets behaved in 2025 [14:31]. Dan chats with AJ Bell’s managing director for the investments divisions, Ryan Hughes, about what he thought of the year [17:10].

Dan and Tom run through the winners and losers on the UK and US stock markets over the past 12 months. They chat about Fresnillo, Lloyds, Applovin, WPP, Auto Trader and more.

While markets have generally done well in 2025, the podcast always has its eye on the future and there’s quite a few people approaching 2026 with a sense of dread. With that in mind, the podcast spoke to Charlotte Yonge from the Trojan Fund and Personal Assets Trust about how she runs an investment strategy with protection at the heart of it [45:34].

Finally, Dan talks to AJ Bell chief executive Michael Summersgill about what’s needed to get more people saving and investing for the future [56:08].

Switching to personal finance, Charlene and Laura explain the changes to cash ISAs announced in the Budget [07:28], and Laura dives into new AJ Bell data revealing the nation’s “secret spending” habits [15:17]. 

Finally, we bring you the next batch of Investival interviews: Dan Coatsworth talks to Russ Mould about the good, the bad and the ugly of 2025 markets and what he expects for 2026 [19:28], and Alex Wright from Fidelity Special Values on the UK market’s strong performance, the banking sector, and a surprising investment in a sofa seller [25:22]. 

They discuss the OECD’s judgement of the impact tax and spending will have on the UK economy over the next few years. The pair also chat about a new warning about AI and how a bubble bursting could have a significant impact on global growth. [10:55]

The Bank of England has proposed the biggest rule change for UK banks since the financial crash. [17:15]

A zero-tariff deal has been struck between the UK and US on pharmaceuticals but what’s in the small print and what might it mean for companies like GSK and AstraZeneca? [19:30]

Luxury goods maker Prada has bagged itself a Black Friday bargain, picking up Versace at a fraction of what its previous owner paid for it. [25:00]

Plus, the latest on Netflix bid speculation for Warner Bros Discovery [26:45] and not one but two guest interviews: John Lamb from Capital Group with interesting thoughts on where interest rates might go in Europe [31:53] and friend of the pod, Ben Rogoff from Polar Capital Technology Trust on Google’s AI breakthrough. [36:30]

Dan Coatsworth talks to Fundsmith’s Terry Smith about proposed changes to Smithson Investment Trust [09:45] and reveals more names being targeted by activist investor Saba [15:55].

Hannah Williford chats to Ashley Thomas from Winterflood about some potential changes that could hurt the renewable energy sector. [19:05]

The gold has had a brilliant year, so Dan talks to commodities expert Evy Hambro from the BlackRock World Mining Trust about the prospects for the shiny metal in 2026 and why he is so bullish on copper. They also talk about takeover activity involving big mining companies and whether China is still as important as it was for commodities demand. [32:58]

Finally, lots of people are asking what they should think about if financial markets go through a difficult period. Hannah spoke to Nick Britton from the Association of Investment Companies about a particular group of investment trusts that aim to preserve investors’ wealth, and which have historically seen increased investor interest when markets fall. They discuss Capital Gearing Trust, Personal Assets Trust and Ruffer Investment Company. [51:19]

Financial markets were initially taken by surprise after the OBR report was leaked ahead of the chancellor’s speech, and Dan explains why gilts and equities moved in a certain way. He also dives into the reasons why banking and gambling shares saw big moves. [31:24]

There was big news for anyone who uses salary sacrifice to make pension contributions. Charlene explains how the system will change from 2029. [07:35]

The taxman is going to take a bigger chunk of your dividends, savings and property income under new rules. Dan also explains how higher property income taxes might lead to higher rent on flats or houses. [10:35]

The podcast team explore the changes in store for Cash ISAs [13:00] and why we might see the Lifetime ISA morph into something else. [14:30]

Are you lucky enough to have a home worth more than £2 million? Brace yourself for higher taxes. [16:45]

Dan argues that a stamp duty holding on shares in newly listed companies doesn’t go far enough. [20:45]. He also explores the extra pressures being piled on small businesses.

Charlene reveals some good news from the Budget around energy bills, rail fares and more. [23:53]. She finishes up with important news on frozen allowances [25:50].

Fundsmith chief executive Terry Smith is on the show to give his thoughts on the plethora of market worries. [08:04]

Charlene Young explains why the economy and the markets are not the same thing. Especially in the context of recent poor growth figures, the unemployment rate creeping up, yet the FTSE 100 recently hitting new record highs. [11:48]

Dan has good news for people worried if their money is protected in the event of a bank or investment platform going bust. [14:41]

There is a lot of talk about home insurance becoming much more expensive in recent years, so Charlene and Dan explore the reasons why premiums have shot up. [20:23]

Anticipation around the Budget is causing jitters in the UK property market, as the pod team discuss. [25:36]

Finally, we’re debuting a new series celebrating interesting companies on the UK stock market. Our first guest is Ronnie George, chief executive of Volution, a ventilation products group which has made twice as much money for shareholders over the past year than a fund tracking the US stock market. [28:17]

Sign up to the free AJ Bell Budget webinar on 27 November 2025 at 1pm GMT: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6453427819562096725

Dan and Laith discuss why passive funds have become so popular and share some stats on fund flows and figures from AJ Bell’s Manager versus Machine report, which pits active and passive funds against each other. [01:01]

Laith catches up with Craig Baker who chairs the investment committee for Alliance Witan, one of the biggest investment trusts in the UK, to find out why they have chosen a distinctive active investment strategy and how it’s been performing. [22:28]

Paul Angel, Head of Investment Research at AJ Bell joins Dan and Laith to talk about how to pick active and passive funds. [34:05]

Paul, Dan and Laith discuss whether the rise of passive funds is bad for the stockmarket and consider the future of active management. [48:17]

As the FTSE 100 breaks more records and edges closer to the psychologically important 10,000 mark, Danni Hewson digs into what’s behind this latest run of good form. Spoiler: it’s not all good news. [4:40]

An anticipated end to the US government shutdown has helped offset renewed nerves about an AI bubble after Softbank sold its entire stake of Nvidia. [9:32] And former Tesco boss Dave Lewis will be hoping every little can help him turn around the fortunes of drinks maker Diageo. [13:30] 

Tom Sieber joins the team to talk about changes to AJ Bell’s Shares magazine [16:30] With talk about potential changes to the cash ISA limit to try and get more of us to move away from cash savings and into investing, Laura’s been crunching the numbers to find out exactly how investing in cash or stocks and shares compares over time [21:30].

Plus HMRC has been clamping down on benefits fraud – but they’ve not always been getting things right. [28:30] And our guest interview this week is a catch up with Ayush Abhijeet, Investment Director at Ashoka India Equity, who explains why returns have been a bit lacklustre over the past year and why that creates an opportunity for investors. [30:30]

How much sparkle did Marks & Spencer lose from this year’ cyberattack? Find out as Danni and Dan unpick its latest results [12:45].

Dan considers why high street retailer Primark might finally be spun out from its parent company. [17:45] He also explains why companies split and talks through some key examples of the past 20 years. [21:25]

Danni considers Kimberly Clark’s bid for under-fire Tylenol maker Kenvue, the consumer goods company spun out from Johnson & Johnson just a few years ago. [25:06]

Plus, Michael Burry, the trader who inspired the film The Big Short is betting on an AI bubble [29:10]. We also take a different look at big tech – not AI but robotics – with Dan chatting to Simon Edelsten, manager of the Goshawk Global fund, about factory automation and why it’s hot news again. [32:55]

They chat about the pros and cons of portfolio concentration, and whether it is working for names such as Finsbury Growth & Income and Pershing Square Holdings. [04:39]

Renewable energy and infrastructure trusts typically have generous dividends, but their share price performance has been patchy. Hannah talks to QuotedData’s James Carthew about the challenges and whether there’s a brighter future. [16:48]

Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust is among the companies trying to bounce back, and Tom Seiber speaks with the trust’s manager David Bird on why it has pivoted to a new strategy. [28:41]

Finally, Hannah speaks with CVC Income and Growth manager Pieter Staelens about an income strategy that’s been a bit more successful in recent years, and why it’s worked. [43:28]

Tom discusses the record highs for the FTSE 100 and there's chat about results from Next and UK banks and the little-known company which is among the top risers on the UK’s flagship index this year. Plus, a look at shop price inflation and the Renters’ Rights Bill. [09:33]

Elon Musk’s pay package and how the job cuts at Amazon connect to the AI story are also on the agenda this week. [24:11] 

Danni Hewson speaks to Stuart O’Reilly at the Royal Mint on gold prices, whether it might be too late to get exposure, what’s driven the precious metal higher in 2025 and the different investment options. [32:57] 

 Dan Coatsworth explains why there has just been a brief shock on the markets around fears of a new banking crisis. [2:10]. You can also hear why Unilever won’t be splitting off its ice cream arm in mid-November as previously planned. [4:05]

Dan and Charlene dissect the latest UK inflation data and explain why it was treated with widespread celebration. The inflation figure strengthens the argument for interest rate cuts and gives people in retirement clarity on how much the state pension will pay from next April, as September’s inflation result is used in the calculation. [8:25]

The government has issued a white paper that points to changes around the costs of going to university, and the funding methods available. [14:02]

Tom Sieber talks about the latest property market trends [17:14], while Dan tunes into the latest results from Netflix [26:10 ].

Charlene has some worrying statistics about pensioners being hit by tax on savings accounts. [21:05]

To round things off, we conclude our conversations with various experts on what could happen if there is an AI bubble and that bubble bursts. Danni Hewson caught up with Julian Bishop from Brunner Investment Trust [32:02] while Dan talks to Marcel Stötzel from Fidelity European. [40:54]

With warnings about a potential AI bubble, Dan Coatsworth speaks to Russ Mould, AJ Bell investment director, about why markets keep rising despite correction fears [12:24] — and Ben Rogoff from Polar Capital Technology Trust shares why he still believes the AI revolution has room to run. [26:13]

Charlene explains the worrying 150% rise in scams targeting pensioners and the simple steps to stay safe ahead of this winter’s payments and tax return season. [36:45]

Danni Hewson catches up with James Flintoft, head of investment solutions at AJ Bell, for a look back at another volatile quarter and how the AJ Bell funds have been performing. [40:09]

Dan Coatsworth and Danni Hewson chew over B&M’s recent woes, and plans by the new boss to get back to basics to win back customers. [2:05]

They also discuss fresh AI fever and the mega deals which are making the sector increasingly interconnected. You can hear about the latest tie-up between OpenAI and AMD, and how it fits in with other activity involving Nvidia. [8:30]

Sales of electric vehicles in the UK hit a record high in September with Chinese carmaker BYD enjoying an 880% jump so can Tesla’s new pricing structure win back motorists? Dan gives his thoughts. [14:10]

Danni has the latest on the UK motor finance scandal and how affected motorists might claim for compensation. [20:00]

Mike Glenister discusses a new petition from AJ Bell that calls for the government to stop meddling with the pension system. [25:30]

Alex Wright, Fund Manager of Fidelity Special Values, explains where he is finding opportunities on the UK stock market. [29:30]

Do you use delivery apps to order groceries? Danni has some bad news you need to hear. [46:30]

Finally, Dan talks to entrepreneur Charles Skinner about why some people call him the king of acquisitions. [52:37]

Sign AJ Bell’s petition to encourage the government to stop meddling with the pensions system https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/740486

It’s been a good year to invest in UK shares, and we’ve got two experts on the pod to explain how they find opportunities. Dan talks to Ian Lance from Temple Bar about how he’s delivered supersized returns, and why Smith & Nephew and Johnson Matthey have caught his eye. [12:58].

We also hear from James Harries, manager of the STS Global Income & Growth, about why the UK is such a big part of his portfolio, and why he likes insurance provider Admiral and consumer goods giant Reckitt. [26:07]

Hannah talks about some new figures that suggest Donald Trump’s policies have revived interest in ESG-related factors when investing, following a steady decline since 2022. [40:18]

Finally, Hannah chat with Dan Higgins from Majedie about bringing university-style endowment investment to the public. [45:45]

Back in the UK, it’s Labour Party conference week, Charlene and Danni discuss Rachel Reeves’ big speech and the market reaction. We also discuss revised GDP figures, and why households are saving more as economic uncertainty lingers. [06:53]

In company news, the CEO of GSK is stepping down, Exxon announces job cuts as part of a restructure, and Greggs serves up a mixed trading update after a summer sales wobble.[12:12]

Our guest interview this week is with Jacqueline Broers, Joint Portfolio Manager of the Utilico Emerging Markets Trust, which specialises in infrastructure and investment in emerging markets and has just celebrated its 20th anniversary. [20:59]. Finishing with personal finance, Charlene will outline what you should think about before accessing your pension tax-free cash and how to check if someone you know is missing out on the £1.5 billion in unclaimed child trust funds. [32:43]

Find out why Nvidia is investing billions of dollars in two companies. [1:00]. Dan Coatsworth reveals the key reason why shares in B&Q-owner Kingfisher went wild, and it’s not down to a new DIY boom. [3:28]

 Greggs is opening a pub – is that bad news for Wetherspoons or just a marketing trick? Dan gives his thoughts. [5:30]

 Consumer research group Which? says enough is enough with regards to how home and travel insurance providers are treating customers. Charlene Young explores this ‘super-compliant’ and what you can do if your insurer has treated you unfairly. [8:15]

 The new intake of university students is settling into their new life, but there is a big cost of higher education. Dan chats about a growing trend for parents to help reduce the burden of debt on their children. [12:35]

Have you always dreamed of owning a bungalow? You’re not alone. Charlene talks about a shortage of bungalows in the UK and why both older and younger people want more of them built. [20:10

New figures reinforce widespread calls to reform the Lifetime ISA. Charlene explains all. [24:42]

Our special guest is Isaac Thong, portfolio manager of the Aberdeen Asian Income Fund. Danni Hewson talks to Isaac about why more investors are looking at this part of the world. [29:25]

(02:10) Laith and Danni are joined by Ian Aylward, head of investment partnerships at AJ Bell, to discuss what bonds are and what factors affect prices.

(17:39) Laith talks to Rupert Harrison, senior adviser at PIMCO and formerly Chief of Staff to George Osborne when he was Chancellor. Rupert gives his views on what is driving higher UK government borrowing costs and what the bond market wants from Rachel Reeves in the forthcoming budget.

(41:52) Ian, Laith and Danni talk about why people invest in bonds, and discuss the bond funds that are available to investors.

(53:13) Laith talks to Alex Ralph, fund manager of the Nedgroup Global Strategic Bond fund, about how she picks bonds and how she sees the market right now.

Sticking with pensions, Charlene Young and Laura Suter discuss a new move from the taxman on pension tax relief and what it could mean for those claiming extra relief [17:45]. Charlene also delves into new AJ Bell research on how people’s expectations for retirement compare with the reality of what retirees actually spend [21:55]. 

Later in the show, Dan Coatsworth speaks with Ben Preston from Orbis Global Equity Fund about why he has less invested in the US than a typical global fund, why he’s backing the UK, and his investment in Nintendo [28:20]. Dan also interviews Daniel Avigad from Lansdowne European Special Situations Fund about whether investors have missed the boat on Europe’s strong stock market performance and why the owner of Ray-Ban is catching his attention [39:04]. 

They discuss a new advert fronted by former Eastender star Ross Kemp which hopes to persuade people to engage with their pension in the same way they engage with their physical fitness. Rachel shares some top tips to make sure your pension is fighting fit. [01:33]

In markets news, Dan digs into Anglo American’s gigantic bid to take over Canadian copper miner Teck Resources [19:46]. Danni discusses why it’s a tricky time for UK retailers like Dunelm and Primark [23:00]. As Tesla’s share of the US electric vehicle market falls to an eight-year low, the pair assess Elon Musk’s proposed $1 trillion pay deal. [27:51]

Find out how geopolitical instability is affecting markets [33:00] and learn how investors reacted to a judge temporarily halting Donald Trump’s firing of Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook ahead of next week’s US interest rate decision [35:06]. Dan also discusses the companies going in and out of the UK’s top stock market indices. [39:15]

This week’s special guest is George Bennett, chief executive of Rainbow Rare Earths who discusses how his company hopes to take advantage of demand for minerals crucial to technology we use daily. [41:42]

Across the pond, all eyes are on the Federal Reserve [15:20], while Donald Trump’s tariffs face a legal challenge that could reset trade dynamics.

We then dive into a timely interview: Danni speaks with Marcus Jennings, fixed income strategist at Schroders, about why UK gilt yields have jumped to 30-year highs and what that means for borrowers, investors and the government’s finances [22:40].

In company news, we cover Nestlé’s search for a new CEO, BYD’s profit stumble[37:00], and Alibaba’s AI push – with Nvidia back in the spotlight as AI momentum shows no sign of cooling. Finally, Charlene looks at the back-to-school squeeze on family finances and explains how the September extension of free childcare hours could help parents – and who misses out. [46:20]

They also look ahead to what investors can expect from the big tech names due to report next week, including Microsoft, Apple, Amazon and Meta [10:12]. 

They also discuss a major proposal from the London Stock Exchange to introduce 24-hour trading and what that could mean for retail investors [12:20] and there’s boardroom news at BP as the energy giant appoints a new chair [14:04]. 

Back in the UK, the government has announced the final proposals around pensions and inheritance tax [16:08], and the State Pension age is also under review again [24:02]. 

This week’s episode also features two interviews: Martin Gamble speaks to Jacopo di Nardo from Latitude Investment Management about Diageo and the impact of the recent CEO departure [27:27], and Dan Coatsworth talks to Schroder Asia Pacific portfolio manager Abbas Barkhordar about the vibe in Asia around those US tariffs [40:44]. 

Finally, with summer holidays in full swing, Tom and Charlene look at a story involving Ryanair, oversized luggage, and a rather inventive employee bonus scheme [51:47]. 

Note: The podcast is taking a short summer break and will return in early September. 

We’ll also be talking through the latest inflation figures to come out of the UK and US and what that might mean for interest rates [11:25].

The Chancellor has delivered her annual Mansion House speech to the city, and there were a lot of big changes announced. Laith and Tom discuss ISAs [14:52], boosting retail investing and changes to the banking and mortgage market [29:42].

Finally we have an interview with Lynda Shillaw, CEO of the property development company, the Harworth Group, about trends in the sector and Harworth’s promotion to the FTSE 250 [34:20].

The episode also sheds light on a worrying HMRC issue: over 600,000 people have been fined for not filing tax returns despite owing no tax [21:31]. Later in the show, Shares magazine’s Tom Sieber spotlights his investment trust dividend heroes [24:51], and James Flintoft joins Danni to analyse AJ Bell fund performance in Q2 and what may shape markets in the second half of 2025 [29:13].

We’re going big on income in this episode of the podcast. Dan Coatsworth talks to Joe Dowling from the Invesco Global Equity Income Trust on how he finds opportunities to help generate a steady trickle of cash for shareholders. [04:17]

Dan also talks to Iain Pyle from Shires Income on alternative ways of generating an income than simply having a portfolio of dividend-paying shares. [18:15]

Laith Khalaf and Tom talk about trends with premiums and discounts in the investment trust world. [30:47]

Finally, Dan talks to Richard Staveley from Rockwood Strategic on what it takes to find stocks that make you five to 10 times your money. [39:53]

Charlene Young addresses the latest rumours about income tax and a potential cut to Cash ISA allowances. [06:12]

Dan Coatsworth explains why Lifetime ISAs are back on the political agenda. [13:36]

New data suggests there is a serious problem of takeover news being leaked before official announcements. Dan dives into this topic. [18:55]

If you’re one of the growing number of people selling goods on Vinted or Ebay, Charlene considers the level of sales that attract the tax man’s attention. [22:40]

As schools prepare to break up and people take time off work for their summer break, the podcast reveals a worrying scam aimed at holidaymakers. [25:50]

The clock is ticking on the end of Trump’s 90-day tariff negotiations, so Dan considers what could happen next and how markets might react. [28:59]

This week’s special guest is someone directly impacted by the new tariff regime. Greg Eckel invests in Canada and he talks to Tom Sieber about the impact of Trump’s policies and the long-term prospects for Canadian stocks. [32:46]

In our personal finance section, we explore the cut to Premium Bond prize rates and why loyalty to your savings account might be costing you [13:00]. We also look at the rise of companies putting Bitcoin on the balance sheet [23:50] - and share a strange new scam story you’ll want to hear [57:04]. 

Our interview is with the team at Evenlode, discussing why their global equity funds are cautious on the US and why they avoid the obvious bets [34:44]. And we wrap up with a spotlight on Rosebank, the Melrose spinoff that just raised £1.1 billion in one of AIM’s biggest fundraises in years [47:31]. 

Laith and Russ talk through some of the key investing principles of Warren Buffett, delving into whether he is really a value investor, and asking if Buffett is right when he says diversification is protection against ignorance. We also look at the importance of a buy and hold strategy and staying within your circle of competence.

We’re joined by Keith Ashworth-Lord, manager of the Sanford DeLand Buffettology fund, to explain what Buffettology is, and how he applies Buffett’s principles to investing in the UK stock market.

Laith and Russ discuss some more of Buffett’s investing tips, such as whether most people should buy a tracker fund, and if crypto really is ‘rat poison squared’.

Could the UK be heading for “stagflation” as the economy shrinks? Danni checks out the latest growth and inflation data. [08:49]

Get the latest insight on corporate news. Profits are under pressure at equipment maker Ashtead ahead of the company moving its main stock market listing to New York. The US and UK might have finally rubber stamped a deal on cars and jet engines but Jaguar Land Rover has already slashed its forecasts. With defence stocks in fashion, Dan and Danni consider why one company, RC Fornax, has issued an earnings warning. [17:53]

As AIM celebrates its 30th birthday, Dan looks at companies past and present, while Tom Sieber from Shares Magazine explains why a lot of companies have become disheartened with the junior market. [25:30]

Bank of America’s latest survey into how fund managers are positioning portfolios makes for fascinating reading as markets remain volatile. [32:10]

Our guest interview features Emma Moriarty from Capital Gearing Trust who discusses why markets are moving higher yet economic forecasts are moving lower. [34:57]

The podcast also talks about the choice of savings products hitting record highs but some rates are at a two-year low [47:30]. The team also explain why Which? is urging shoppers to consider protections when using “pay by bank”. [50:42]

Charlene looks at the detail behind the government’s announcement that 9 million pensioners will get the winter fuel payment this year [30:00] and what it might mean for future tax policy. The FCA has led an international effort to crackdown on unregulated financial influencers. [37:30]

Charlene Young reveals how much you need to enjoy a certain lifestyle in retirement. [07:55]. She also goes through the mailbag to answer your questions about pensions. [14:10]

Fancy some free shares? There is a growing trend for investors to be gifted stock as companies break into two. Dan Coatsworth has all the info on this week’s podcast. [28:00]

The pod team talk about record inflows into Cash ISAs [33:15], and reveal which age group is benefiting the most from a drop in car insurance prices. [35:11]

Finally, we’re joined by fund manager Laura Elkin who runs AEW UK REIT. Dan quizzes Laura about the latest trends in the UK commercial property market and how the investment trust has helped to bring a former Wilko store back to life. [37:35]

The pair answer your questions about trusts and talk to a range of experts about fascinating things happening on the market.

Dan chats to Muzo Kayacan and David Barron from BlackRock American Income about the investment trust’s shift to using AI to help find opportunities on the market.

Martin Gamble talks to Mark Boggett from Seraphim Space about why this investment trust is an alternative way to play the defence sector. Martin also debates Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square Holdings with Shares magazine’s Tom Sieber.

Finally, we’ve got Simon Barnard on the show to talk about Smithson, the small cap little sister to Fundsmith Equity Fund. Simon talks about narrowing the focus of the trust and why he doesn’t believe having half the portfolio in the US is a currently a problem.

Tom reviews Tesla's struggles in Europe [11:28], and why the market reacted negatively to Games Workshop’s rising profits [14:10].

Dan Coatsworth interviews Ian Lance from Temple Bar Investment Trust on UK stocks and BP takeover talk[18:07], and Tom Sieber sits down with Ian Conway of Shares magazine to discuss the whispers that London Stock Exchange is considering an overseas listing [32.33]. In our second interview, Charlene talks to financial planner, podcaster and author Pete Matthew as he shares insights on retirement planning from his new book [45.01].

Marks & Spencer has laid out the potential hit to profits from its recent cyber-attack and it’s a hefty sum. Dan has all the details and he talks to fund manager Ian Lance from Temple Bar Investment Trust to get a shareholder’s perspective on the incident. [14:30]

Hear about the new threat to Next and Dunelm as a US home furnishings giant prepares to make its UK debut. [21:15]

Dan chats about an important development in the buy now, pay later industry [25:20] and why there is some relief for certain victims of scams. [29:20]

Tom has a fascinating insight into the UK property market as more Americans look to move to the UK. [32:05]. Tom also talks about big moves in the cash savings market. [34:50]

Finally, don’t miss the second part of our interview with Edinburgh Investment Trust’s Emily Barnard who explains how AstraZeneca differs from GSK, key achievements from both companies, and where they might go next. [37:30]

A week after the Bank of England cut its base rates they consider where interest rates are likely to go next and whether the cut has been passed on in the form of mortgage and savings rates. [11:58] 

Latest data shows the UK labour market is showing further signs of strain but the weather’s given consumer spending a boost with positive updates from Wickes, Marston’s, On the Beach and Next. [18:27]

Marks and Spencer has updated markets on the cyber-attack which is still preventing online deliveries from the high street stalwart but can it keep customers on side? [26:08] 

Dan Coatsworth talks to Emily Barnard from Edinburgh Investment Trust about tariffs on the pharmaceutical sector and where AstraZeneca and GSK stand with weight-loss drugs [29:53] 

And Tom Sieber from Shares Magazine has been talking to fund managers about the surprise retirement of investing legend Warren Buffett. [45:40]

While it might feel as if the business world is trying to catch its breath amid the tariff chaos, mergers and acquisitions are still being announced and Dan talks through some of the big ones that involve sliced bread, trainers and takeaways. [20:26]

Warren Buffett’s decision to step down as the boss of Berkshire Hathaway was headline news around the world and the team explain exactly why that’s a significant move. [29:40]

There’s some worrying news about many people not having enough money in retirement to enjoy even the most basic pleasures [34:49]. Danni also discusses why the bank of mum and dad are becoming even more important in the quest to get on the housing ladder. [39:50]

Finally, the podcast features an activist investor who has been involved in several campaigns involving the likes of logistics provider DX Group, polling specialist YouGov and luxury goods retailer Watches of Switzerland. Liad Meidar from Gatemore Capital puts forward his argument as to why activists aren’t the villain some members of the public make them to be. [44:40]

Dan Coatsworth chats about which trusts were in demand from AJ Bell customers during the past month’s mark turmoil. [9:15] Martin Gamble reveals which investment trusts were in and out of favour on a broader basis during this period. [13:09]

Dan talks to Ryan Lightfoot-Aminoff from Kepler Partners. about opportunities in Asia amid chatter that investors are looking for ways to dial down exposure to the US. [27:50]

Finally, Tom Sieber talks to Jim Strang from HgCapital Trust about the impact on tariffs on the tech companies and why Hg is focused on the more boring side of tech. [44:30]

Russ Mould joins us to analyse the first 100 days of President Trump’s second term, with a focus on how markets have performed in that time compared to previous presidents [10:25]. 

Charlene Young looks at the £800 million state pension benefit scandal and explains who’s affected, and what you can do if you think you or someone you know might be owed money [19:59]. House prices dipped in April, after the changes to stamp duty went live and cost of living pressure rose [17:40] 

You might have run into bother trying to shop with Marks and Spencer recently. Dan covers the cyber incident that has taken the spark out of the retailer [27:28]. And to round things off, the Shares Magazine team bring us the latest update from streaming giant, Spotify [34:29].

We cover Tesla and Netflix earnings (05:11), how political uncertainty in the US is driving gold prices higher (03:22), and what NS&I’s latest savings rates mean for savers (14:29). Charlene reveals the real odds of winning with Premium Bonds after an FOI request (12:21), and Tom Sieber from Shares magazine joins to explore whether fund managers with hands-on industry experience hold a performance edge (09:39). 

Dan Coatsworth speaks with Peter Fitzgerald from Aviva Investors about how rising tariffs are shifting investment strategies (19:16), and pensions expert Rachel Vahey explains how tax-free cash works when taking money from your pension (31:37). 

They track what’s been going over the past 7 days as what’s been dubbed by some as “Storm Donald” [1:50] has continued to buffet global stock markets. They discuss the 90-day pause for some countries, carve outs for things like smart phones which have boosted Apple.[6:00] But there’s huge uncertainty still and promises of further moves on semi-conductors and pharmaceuticals and the magnificent Nvidia has seen shares dive again after it said it would take a huge hit from controls on chip exports to China. [7:55]

With the UK potentially at the front of a queue for a trade deal with the US how are things looking when it comes to jobs and inflation, the pair chat through the latest numbers and assess what it might mean for interest rates and how the mortgage market is responding. [15:00]

We’ve also got a deep dive into the UK’s biggest supermarket Tesco from Steve and Ian from the Shares mag team [23:08], plus an update on AJ Bell funds from AJ Bell’s head of investment solutions James Flintoft [38:55] and Martin Gamble from Shares gives us the low down on two of the best fund managers you’ve probably never heard of - Nick Sleep and Qais (Zac) Zakaria from The Nomad Partnership. [47:40]

(05:26) Tom Selby and Rachel Vahey from AJ Bell will be joining Laith Khalaf to discuss what the pension freedoms were, and how people have been using them over the last decade. We’ll also be running through the tax treatment of pension withdrawals and the chancellor’s plans to levy inheritance tax on pensions.

(23:55) One of the architects of the pension freedoms, Sir Steve Webb, the Pension Minister in the coalition government of 2010 to 2015, talks to Laith about why the reforms took place and whether they’ve been a success.

(45:20) The team talk through the differences between drawdown and annuity and ask what a sustainable income is. We also discuss investment strategies in retirement, and ask whether annuities might be due a comeback. Finally we run through the resources that can help you decide how to take your retirement income.

Dan talks to Morningstar equity strategist Michael Field about what Liberation Day means for European stocks and shares which had a great run in the first quarter of the year. [26:23]

If you’ve been spooked by the market sell-off and are worried about your investments, Dan and Laith offer some reassurance and explain why there is no reason to panic. [35:45]

Laith has some interesting statistics on why it can pay to use your ISA allowance at the start of a tax year rather than at the end. [42:30]. Dan finds some interesting trend with AJ Bell customer behaviour during the market sell-off. [46:59].

Finally, Jonathan Maxwell from SDCL Energy Efficiency Income Trust is on the podcast to talk about the Trump administration rolling back green policies and whether that creates a headwind for renewable energy investors. [54:55].

Dan Coatsworth talks to Nick Brind from Polar Capital Global Financials Trust about the rally in banking shares, what Donald Trump’s return to the White House means for US banks, and where he is finding opportunities in the current market. [07:26]

Tom Sieber and Martin Gamble conduct a deep dive of BlackRock World Mining Trust. [17:59]

Emma Bird from Winterflood explains the world of gearing, what the term means and how it can be a help or hindrance to investment trust performance. [29:50]

Finally, Laith Khalaf talks to Indri Van Hien, co-manager of Henderson Smaller Companies Trust, about the impact of Budget changes on UK businesses and why small caps continue to lag bigger companies. [44:00]

Tax year end is upon us [40:40] and Charlene talks through new allowances, using pension contributions to pare down your tax bill and popular options like Bed and ISA which help you bring existing investments into tax wrappers. Plus, news from HMRC that the interest rate charged on late tax payments is going up. And with investors warming to bonds again after a patchy period where they didn’t comfort portfolios as expected, Dan Coatsworth talks to Ryan Myerberg from the Brown Advisory Global Sustainable Total Return Bond Fund about all things fixed income. [50:40]

There were big changes to economic and inflation forecasts by the Office for Budget Responsibility. However, the Chancellor insisted her longer-term plans were still intact – namely, to bring public finances under control and drive growth in the economy.

Laura Suter, Charlene Young and Dan Coatsworth analyse the major announcements in the Spring Statement and how they will impact your money. They also chat about key areas that were missing from the Spring Statement and whether they might be coming later on – or not at all, given what the Chancellor has just announced.

The team talk savings, investments, pensions, ISAs, mortgages and how markets reacted to the news.

(01:16) Steve Frazer, technology writer for Shares magazine introduces us to the basics of AI and explains what the recent arrival of the Chatbot DeepSeek means for other AI players. 

(12:45) Next up we speak to Stephen Yiu, fund manager of the Blue Whale Growth fund, who has made a lot of money from his investment in Nvidia, the poster child for AI, and from technology stocks more broadly. But now he’s selling down his stake in Microsoft, we find out why. 

(34:51) Of course, some people think the stock market is in a bubble. Rob Arnott of Research Affiliates, is in that camp. Commonly referred to as the Godfather of Smart Beta, Rob gives his view on market developments and tells us why he thinks US stocks are overvalued 

(51:40) Finally we catch up with Chris Ford, fund manager of the Sanlam Global Artificial Intelligence fund, who tells us why 60% of his fund is invested outside the tech sector. 

Danni Hewson and Charlene Young discuss why the gold price has reached another record high, why possible price wars are taking a bite out of the value of UK-listed supermarkets, and the latest updates from tech firm Trustpilot and defence group Qinetic.(03:19)

AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould joins the team to debate the choppy US markets and give his views the Trump slump and the not-so Magnificent Seven.(17:21)

Tom Sieber from Shares Magazine talks about stock splits – what they are, and why they matter to investors.(30:03)

Charlene also rifles through the latest ONS inflation basket – VR headsets and yoga mats are in but gammon joints and cafeteria lunches are out.(35:14)

This podcast is our ISA special: we’ve gone all out on explaining the pros and cons of Individual Savings Accounts.

Laura Suter and Charlene Young join Dan in weighing up the range of ISAs currently available and whether they are still fit for purpose. They talk Stocks & Shares ISAs, Cash ISAs, Junior ISAs, Innovative Finance ISAs and Lifetime ISAs. [04:24]

Tom Selby reclaims his crown as the podcast taskmaster and brings back the legendary ISA quiz. [14:27]

Want to know where other investors have been putting their ISA money this year? Dan reveals the top selections and talks through some interesting trends. [24:06]

Everyone would love to be an ISA millionaire, but how hard is it to hit the goal? Laura does the maths. [28:15]

We’ve had loads of listener questions come in, so the team tackle three burning ISA issues: which is better: an ISA or a pension? [31:31]; what is a Bed & ISA and should I bother with it? [34:50]; and how does the taxman know if I’m over the £20,000 ISA allowance? [36:52]

Finally, our special guest this week is Craig Baker from the team behind the £4.7 billion Alliance Witan investment trust. Its first results since the merger have just come out and Dan talks to Craig about performance and what Alliance Witan is trying to achieve longer term. [39:27]

Pastry purveyor Greggs was flavour of the month with investors, but growth has slowed significantly, can the company’s focus on healthy options and evening grub help it get its mojo back? [22:20) Changes to listing rules are in the offing with the FTSE Russell accepting companies with a Euro or Dollar share price from September so what might that mean for London markets. [28:30] AJ Bell’s Head of Public Policy Rachel Vahey joins us to talk about the fast-approaching deadline if you need to top up your qualifying National Insurance contributions [32:36] and the sub 4% mortgage is back with 5 major lenders cutting mortgage deals. [39:20]

We’ve been very thin on the ground for new investment trusts joining the stock market for a long time but things are looking up. Laith Khalaf discusses the launch of Achilles Investment Company (AIC). [05:40]

Dan looks at the latest events involving Bill Ackman and his Pershing Square Holdings (PSH) investment vehicle [09:47], while Laith has some interesting stats comparing funds to trusts. [12:53]

JPMorgan Global Growth & Income (JGGI) has fast become one of investors’ favourites but did you know it has a sister investment trust that follows the same strategy but just looks at Europe? Dan talks to Tim Lewis, portfolio manager on JPMorgan European Growth & Income (JEGI), about opportunities and risks in the year ahead. [18:53]

Martin Gamble and Tom Sieber from Shares magazine conduct a deep dive into Greencoat UK Wind (UKW). [35:20]

Finally, we’re joining by Paul Angell, AJ Bell’s head of investment research, to discuss ways to research and select investment trusts. [46:39]

On the personal finance front, Laura explains the impact of the latest rise in Ofgem’s energy price cap and shares tips on how to cut household bills [17:56]. She also uncovers cash savings traps that could see you paying more tax than necessary. [24:19]

For investors, Tom Sieber explores the best-performing dividend hero investment trusts, funds that deliver strong income without sacrificing returns [29:01]. And Dan Coatsworth speaks with Abbie Glennie from abrdn about why the UK stock market is showing signs of life [34:16].

There’s also been a slew of UK economic data over the last week, so we’ll be taking a look at the jobs figures and a big jump in inflation back up to 3%. We’ll also be asking whether we should be celebrating 0.1% growth in the economy. [6:23]

Cash has also been making headlines, as NS&I changes its rates, and a record amount is reported sitting in bank accounts paying no interest. Meanwhile rumours are flying that the government might consider cutting back the cash ISA allowance. [15:42]

The activist investor Saba is back with a new plan for its foray into the investment trust sector. Laith brings us up to speed with what’s going on. [25:20]

Saba’s strategy isn’t unique; in fact, it’s the same one adopted by Migo Opportunities trust, yet the way Saba has gone about calling for change is different to Migo’s approach. Dan Coatsworth caught up with Migo’s co-manager Charlotte Cuthbertson to explore the differences. [28:55]

Finally we’ll be asking if Elon Musk’s political affiliations might be starting to hurt his business interests, as protestors gather outside Tesla showrooms in the US. [40:10]

The tax burden is on course to reach a historic high of 38.2% of GDP by 2029. Laith Khalaf speaks to Carl Emmerson, Deputy Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies about how we got here, and whether more tax rises are on the way. [11:05]

ISAs have been a hugely successful savings and investment account since their launch in 1999. Laith Khalaf and Charlene Young discuss the merits of ISAs and whether people in the UK are holding too much cash. [30:08]

Tom Selby, Director of Public Policy at AJ Bell joins the pod to discuss another important tax shelter: pensions. We ask him whether a pension is better than an ISA, and if the government might look to take away some of the generous tax relief currently attached to pensions. [40:02]

There are other ways to save tax too. Laith and Charlene discuss family finances, VCTs and the 60% tax trap. [59:08]

Danni gives the low down on the latest results from McDonald’s and BP. Does activist investor Eliott taking a stake in BP mean there is a reset on the horizon for the struggling energy giant? [11:57] 

Elon Musk is back in the news again. Donald Trump’s right-hand man and head of DOGE has led a bid for OpenAI, the company he co-founded with current CEO Sam Altmann before their big fall out over the future of the ‘mission’. [17:46] 

Charlene gives us a preview of an exciting new AJ Bell Money & Markets project. 

Tom Sieber from Shares Magazine joins us to talk about defensive stocks. He explains what a defensive stock is, examines the traditional defensive sectors and reveals which metrics identify ‘defensiveness’. [23:17] 

Dan Coatsworth interviews Guy Gittens, CEO of estate agent Foxtons to get his thoughts on where the property market could go next, the issues facing people who rent, and whether flaws in the Lifetime ISA are causing issues for prospective buyers in London. [28:46] 

Tariffs have been on everyone’s minds this week and they’ve caused some big movements on the markets and dominated the discussion for many companies. Danni Hewson runs through the key points and how they relate to investments. [04:06]

Tom Sieber and Ian Conway from Shares magazine explain why tariff issues have cast a cloud over Diageo and the key takeaways from its latest results. [13:04]

A government consultation on Lifetime ISAs closed this week so Dan Coatsworth explores the pros and cons of the account and the changes AJ Bell hopes to see in the near future. [26:06]

Rachel Vahey talks about new figures on changes to the UK population and how this links to pensions. [29:05]

Danni and Dan take a look at the latest numbers from Alphabet, Disney, Estee Lauder, GSK and Mattel. [37:17]

Dan also chats about how certain activist investors are getting what they want, with major changes announced at Smiths Group and YouGov. [49:35]

Dan Coatsworth talks to James Carthew from research group QuotedData about what he thinks could happen next with Saba, and about the role of activist investors in general. [11:03]

Ian Conway and Steve Frazer conduct a deep dive into Law Debenture (LWDB) investment trust [26:40] and Dan talks to Nicholas Weindling, fund manager of JPMorgan Japanese (JFJ) about what’s going on in that part of Asia. [37:30]

Laura looks at the frustration taxpayers are facing with HMRC’s long call wait times, as some new data is released showing how hard it is to reach the taxman [12:09], while Tom Sieber looks at attending a company AGM in person at SRT Marine Systems and why investor engagement matters [16:55].  

Plus, Dan interviews Chris Tennant of Fidelity Emerging Markets to explore Donald Trump’s impact on emerging markets, why you might want EM exposure in your ISA or pension, and what’s next for China [24:26]. 

Dan is joined by Danni Hewson to assess what’s behind the FTSE 100’s good run. The pair also consider what might happen next for UK interest rates given the latest economic data gives the Bank of England a lot to think about. [00:11:12]

Government borrowing costs have shot up again but was that already priced into gilt yields and with pressure mounting on the Chancellor to spell out her plans for growth. [00:13:49]

Dan and Danni discuss the role of regulators with a former Amazon boss now heading the CMA and plans from the FCA to relax mortgage lending rules. [00:17:21]

Plus, Netflix hikes prices as subscriber numbers soar [00:31:38], why two brokers have very different views on Greggs [00:37:16] and James Flintoft, head of investment solutions at AJ Bell, updates us on asset allocation in AJ Bell funds [00:46:43].

Danni Hewson and Charlene Young discuss how the UK isn’t the only country facing increased borrowing costs after recent bond yield hikes, and they also chat about what higher gilt yields mean for personal finances. [08:37]

Updates from BP, JD Sports and PageGroup painted a gloomy outlook but good news from Permission gave UK housebuilders a boost, even before a second bounce arrived following the inflation news. Charlene stays with housing, with a new IFS report on how more young people are residing in the Hotel of Mum and Dad. [23:10]

Donald Trump will be back in the White House next week, so Danni spoke to Yoojeong Oh, manager of the Abrdn Asian Income Fund, to find out how tariffs might impact Asian markets and where opportunities for income generation lie [27:56]. A TikTok ban in the US is also due next week, but is there any hope for a reprieve? [41:53]

Charlene finishes up with a timely reminder of the looming self-assessment deadline. [46:52]

There’s been a sell-off in UK government bonds and the pound, causing jitters on the market at the start of the new year. Dan Coatsworth explains what’s going on. [00:02:06]

Hedge fund Saba Capital has got its sights on the UK investment trust sector and wants to get behind the driving seat of seven names including Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust and Herald Investment Trust. Dan takes a closer look and chats about why it’s so important for investors to vote on the proposals and what could happen next. [00:05:14]

Sue Inglis, an independent non-executive director from Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust, is on the podcast to share her experiences of being on the receiving end of an activist investor attack, and her thoughts on Saba’s proposals. [00:11:25]

Gas and electricity bills went up again on 1 January, when the latest energy price cap took effect. Charlene Young considers the impact to UK households and what they can do about it. [00:19:08]

Following a miserable final quarter for UK retail, we’ve now got a host of shopkeepers updating on trading and giving guidance for the year ahead. Tom Sieber looks at what Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Greggs and Next are saying, and what to expect from retailers in 2025. [00:23:09]

Charlene considers the reasons why the Government has announced a review of the Lifetime ISA and what might happen next. [00:35:29]

Finally, Danni Hewson chats to Dominic Weller, fund manager of the Octopus UK Future Generations Fund, about whether investing for change can also come with chunky returns now that interest rates are slowly on their way down. [00:40:17]

In the UK, inflation has been creeping back up and there are warnings of a potential recession as private sector hiring falls at its fastest rate in four years following the Budget. With rates expected to be higher for longer that’s good news for savers. [11:52] 

Dan looks back at the winners and losers of 2024 on the market including some names that might come as a surprise. [14:00]

There might be big changes ahead in the automotive sector after reports that car giants Honda and Nissan could be considering a merger. Danni considers why this might happen. [20:19]

The long running saga of whether Royal Mail owner International Distributions Services would be taken over by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky is now close to the end point, as Dan explains. [24:16]

UK households are reeling after the water watchdog gave the go-ahead for bill rises which will average out at an extra £31 a year. [26:06]

Jean Roche from the Schroder UK Midcap Fund joins us on the episode of the podcast. She talks through the potential opportunity for those FTSE 250 companies in the new year and why the investment trust’s policy is to ditch mid-caps if they succeed in climbing into the FTSE 100. [33:39]

Kicking things off, Danni Hewson has some interesting figures on the supermarket sector which is gearing up for one of its busiest times of the year. [1:38]

Dan Coatsworth discusses how the cost of a Christmas dinner has gone up a lot this year. [4:35] The pair also chat about why a cup of coffee is going up yet again and why a hike in the price of cocoa might lead to a big US takeover deal. There is speculation that Cadbury’s owner Mondelez might have another go at buying Hershey’s. [8:08]

The FTSE 100 index has going through a bit of a change with a few new members including Games Workshop, another set to leave over the next 12 to 18 months (Ashtead) and a new name which is big enough to join but won’t be given an admission ticket (Canal+). [13:23]

The car finance scandal keeps getting bigger and the regulator has now said it could be on the scale of PPI which cost banks £50 billion. Dan has all the details. [17:50]

Anna Farmbrough and Ben Needham from NinetyOne UK Equity Income fund join us on this week’s podcast to talk about Wetherspoons, Diageo and more. [22:06]

Frustrated with the cost of renting in the UK? Danni has some potential good news. [35:50]

We also hear from Impax Environmental Markets’ co-manager Fotis Chatzimichalakis about the potential change to green policies under Donald Trump. [39:04]

Takeovers continue to come thick and fast on the UK market and Dan Coatsworth is here to talk about the latest deals being made. Tom Sieber also updates on the challenges in the automotive sector and why Elon Musk is being denied $56 billion. [10:52]

Cormac Weldon from the Artemis US Select Fund talks to Dan about what Donald Trump could do next, and where he sees the US market heading in 2025. His fund has returned 38% in the 12 months to 2 December 2024 versus 33% from the S&P 500 index, in sterling terms. [14:07]

Drivers could be in line for a £50 car insurance saving next year, predict experts. That’s down to an important change in how personal injury compensation payments are calculated. Tom explains all. [26:27]

Dan has been celebrating ChatGPT’s second anniversary by digging into the impact it’s had on companies. [29:03]

Amid news that NS&I is cutting the effective rate on Premium Bonds from January, Tom asks if the savings products are still worth it. [34:56]

We also hear from Polar Capital UK Value Opportunities Fund manager Georgina Hamilton on the outlook for UK shares in 2025. [37:21]

Dan Coatsworth talks to Julian Bishop, co-manager of Brunner Investment Trust which is celebrating one of its best years in a long time. Julian explains how the trust has done well, his thoughts on the Magnificent Seven, why he’s sold out of weight-loss drug provider Novo-Nordisk, and what could happen in 2025. [01:16]

Steve Frazer and Tom Sieber take a deep dive into Manchester & London, one of this year’s best performing trusts. While returns have been strong in 2024, the trust has attracted its fair share of critics over the years, so Steve and Tom take a balanced look at the company. [22:34]

Following the US election, Martin Gamble and Ian Conway talk about the differences between the range of US-focused investment trusts that trade on the UK stock market and what they’re trying to achieve. [35:22]

We’ve also got a chat with Columbia Threadneedle fund manager Nish Patel about The Global Smaller Companies Trust. [47:16]

There’s been a flurry of takeover action on London markets (10:15) with Direct Line turning down Aviva’s approach which would create the UK’s largest car insurer, but pub and restaurant group Lounger’s is backing a £338 million bid from Fortress saying its growth hasn’t been reflected by its market valuation.

(23:16 )With Christmas fast approaching Laura Suter looks into warnings that many Black Friday deals aren’t all they’re cracked up to be and assesses a warning from HMRC that scammers are using the lure of tax rebates to catch people out.

With the number of UK adults owning crypto currencies on the rise the FCA has said it will finally look to regulate the sector.  A third of investors wrongly believe they could complain to the regulator if something went wrong. (28:23)

Plus, Imogen Harris from the Premier Miton Global Smaller Companies Fund on why a $22 billion company is considered to be a small cap in the UK (14:16) and Nick Clay from Redwheel Global Equity Income Fund on whether companies now care more about share buybacks than dividends (39:31)

Danni Hewson explains the latest UK inflation figures and what they mean for savers, investors and borrowers. [01:02]

Nvidia caused quite a stir with its latest financial results and Dan Coatsworth is on the podcast to explain exactly what’s going on. [06:47]

There’s been a lot of grumbling from the heads of UK high street companies following the Budget last month and this week the government was presented with a letter from some of the country’s biggest retailers. Find out what some of the biggest names in industry had to say. [10:45]

The podcast also looks at what some of the major names in US retail are saying about the state of the consumer Stateside, including Walmart, Target and TJX. [16:11]

Even though the Budget is now in the rear-view mirror, many investors are still getting to grips with what it means for them. One person who is acutely aware of the challenges it has created is Michael Summersgill, chief executive of AJ Bell. Don’t miss what he has to say on this week's podcast. [22:37]

Do you still pay for things with coins or notes, or are you completely dependent on cards? New research would suggest not many of us carry change in our pocket. Danni and Dan talk notes, coins and card-readers galore. [29:44]

Finally, Asia can be a fruitful place to find dividends and Jason Pidcock from Jupiter Asian Income Fund has been investing in the Asia Pacific region since the early 1990s. Dan met up with Jason to talk about the hunt for income, his thoughts on China, and why a Trump victory puts the spotlight on one of the most important companies in the global semiconductor supply chain. [36:02]

The Bank of England voted 8-1 to cut interest rates last week but forecasts published alongside the announcement give us an insight into just how inflationary the bank thinks Rachel Reeves’ Budget will prove, and the likelihood of her achieving her pledge of ‘growth, growth, growth’.

Bitcoin gets a double mention – not only has it been breaking records but a UK pension scheme has announced it will be allocated 3% of its assets to diversify its investment base, in a break with tradition in the pension space. [11:42]

Dan Coatsworth interviews Jack Caffrey from the JP Morgan American Investment Trust for his take on the US election and why the market reacted like it did to that Donald Trump victory. [25:21]

It’s also looking like a record year for flows into Exchange Traded Funds. What are ETFs are what has made them so popular? [39:14]

We also discuss why first-time buyers might find the frozen Lifetime ISA property limit locks them out of their dream family home [44:00], and outflows from Fundsmith Equity [50:01].

There have been some clear winners and losers as investors pile into so-called “Trump Trades” with bitcoin, banks and Tesla among the biggest gainers.

The potential for a tariff fuelled trade war has sent stocks like Diageo down whilst the renewable sector is also under pressure with one of Trumps slogans – “drill baby drill” sparking speculation the US oil and gas sector will boom.

It may feel like a long time, but the UK Budget was only a week ago and Danni and Charlene discuss changes to inheritance tax which will be exacerbated by frozen thresholds and whether people who pulled out tax-free cash from their pensions amidst pre-Budget speculation about changes, can put it back if they’ve changed their mind.

Plus, Danni’s been chatting to Simon Gergel from The Merchants Trust about how some of the UK’s biggest listed companies might be impacted by the Budget.

Finally, Tom Sieber and Ian Conway from Shares magazine discuss Lotus Bakeries, the brains behind Biscoff and a great stock performer in recent years.

Danni Hewson catches up with Dale Nicholls, manager of the Fidelity China Special Situations Trust to talk about Chinese stimulus measures and the potential impact of the US election on the Chinese economy.

Meanwhile Dan Coatsworth talks to Ian “Franco” Francis, manager of the CQS New City High Yield Fund to find out what falling interest rates mean for bond investors.

And we also unpack the pros and cons of investing in Venture Capital Trusts.

There was a lot of speculation about big changes to the tax system so Danni Hewson, Charlene Young and Dan Coatsworth cover off the main points, explaining which rates are changing and which ones are staying the same. This includes big news around capital gains tax and inheritance tax.

There is some good news on ISAs and pensions, and Dan explains why there was a positive market reaction to the Budget. The FTSE 250 and AIM indices jumped on the announcement, so listen to the podcast to find out why.

The team also analyse the new economic forecasts for the UK and the challenges ahead for not just the government, but also businesses across the country.

Less than a week out from the UK’s budget the pair discuss the state of the UK’s public finances and calls from the hospitality sector for Rachel Reeves to act on business rates or risk a high street meltdown. And less than two weeks from the US election Dan Coatsworth has been chatting with Ron Temple chief market strategist at Lazar Asset Management about what might happen to certain assets and sectors depending on which candidate gets to the White House. Plus, Gold hits fresh record highs and the value of lost pension pots in the UK has now reached a staggering £31 billion.

They also discuss why our waning appetite for snacks has taken a bite out of PepsiCo’s sales and why a cost shock sent UK housebuilder Vistry’s shares tumbling.

We hear from Ryan Hughes, managing director of AJ Bell Investments, about why the US has been the worst performing market for UK investors over the last quarter plus how the race to the White House is being priced in by markets.

As the UK’s Budget draws closer, we discuss some of the speculation about what might hop out of the Chancellor’s hat when it comes to pensions, plus why there’s been a boom in annuity sales.

Rachel Vahey is on the show to answer listeners’ questions on pensions. This week she talks about the limits on paying in excess income once you’ve started to draw your pension.

We talk to Oakley Capital Investments’ Steven Tredget about tapping into private equity funds, while Gresham House’s Ken Wotton, fund manager of Strategic Equity Capital, explains how to apply private equity investment techniques to public markets.

Dan Coatsworth talks to Emma Bird, head of investment trust research at Winterflood, about how trusts can provide a smoother stream of dividends than open-ended funds.

Dan also talks with Tom Sieber about the latest results from JPMorgan Global Growth & Income, while Steve Frazer and Ian Conway explore Baillie Gifford’s Monks Investment Trust and what it is trying to achieve.

Dan Coatsworth chats about the divergent fortunes for Nike and JD Sports as they issue their latest financial results.

Laith Khalaf explains the big changes to energy bills and what people can do if they are struggling financially.

Shares magazine’s Ian Conway and Martin Gamble take a seat at the bar to talk about UK pubs giant Wetherspoons. We also hear about the latest twists and turns involving UK takeovers including Mulberry and MusicMagpie.

Danni Hewson chats to Sam Vecht from the BlackRock Latin American Investment Trust about ongoing volatility in that part of the world and why it is somewhat cushioned from current geopolitical tensions.

Finally, we’ve got some eye-opening figures on the amount of money being poured into Cash ISAs.

Charlene Young talks us through a cliff-edge in the tax system that could lose high earning parents up to £20,000 in childcare support and how pension contributions can help you claim money back. Also, how to check if you've got over £2,000 in a child trust fund you didn’t even know about. 
 
With gold prices continuing to break records, Danni Hewson talks to Stuart O’Reilly from the Royal Mint about what investors should consider when it comes to investing in precious metals. 

In our second interview, Dan chats to Slater Investments co-founder Mark Slater about why he likes Tesco and his ideas for driving up demand for UK stocks and shares. 

Plus, we wish Shares Magazine a very happy 25th birthday! 

Changes to rates now or potentially in the near future mean interest rates are also changing on cash savings. The podcast team take a look at the latest trends and why the financial regulator has issued a warning to the public about cash. The team also chat about the tax implications of so many people having taken advantage of higher returns on cash in recent years.

Dan Coatsworth talks to fund manager Mark Costar from JO Hambro about the outlook for Rolls-Royce and Primark’s owner, Associated British Foods.

There’s a lot going on in the property sector with new data on house prices, takeovers galore among housebuilders and a big share price rally from one of the UK’s best known DIY companies. Dan and Danni have all the details.

If you’re one of many people who prefer to pay insurance premiums on a monthly basis, you might be alarmed by some new figures which the team discuss on the podcast.

And finally, it is now less than 100 days until Christmas and would you believe it, people are already talking about festive spending.

Dan Coatsworth chats about Apple’s new version of its iPhone and how its share price has moved on average before and after previous upgrades to its flagship product.

You can hear about the latest economic and markets news, including takeover activity involving Rightmove and Centamin, and why shares in the British arm of TGI Friday’s fell by 90% in a day.

Don’t miss the second part of our interview with Finsbury Growth & Income fund manager Nick Train. He gives his thoughts on the general market, the trust’s performance and a fascinating insight into Unilever.

We’ve also got an interview with Stuart Widdowson from Odyssean Investment Trust about investing in smaller companies.

Danni Hewson and Laura Suter also discuss the potential path of interest rate cuts as well as discussing some interesting M&A activity including Rupert Murdoch’s REA Group’s plot for UK property platform Rightmove.

Hot off the heels of Rightmove’s takeover interest, Dan Coatsworth talks to one of its biggest shareholders, Nick Train from Finsbury Growth & Income Trust about the news and his thoughts on two other big-name FTSE 100 stocks.

We’ve got plenty of pension action too, including how much the state pension is set to rise next year and AJ Bell’s Rachel Vahey answers your questions.

Paul Niven, manager of retail investor favourite F&C Investment Trust, is on this week’s podcast to discuss the summer’s market sell-off and whether it has prompted big changes in his portfolio.

Laith Khalaf talks to James Carthew from QuotedData about the big merger between Alliance Trust and Witan which is expected to complete in the next few months.

3i Group continues to be one of the few investment trusts to trade at a chunky premium to the value of its underlying assets, so we asked Tom Sieber and Steve Frazer from Shares magazine to explain why investors are happy to pay up to own the shares.

Tom also chats about BlackRock World Mining’s latest results and why there is some bad news for anyone thinking metal producers are a great source of dividends.

They discuss the negative impact of electric vehicle production on Ford and Nissan and why GM is delaying its plans to build a green Buick.

Ryanair profits tumble as it cuts back on fare hikes, but EasyJet is ramping up for a record summer. Get the podcast team’s take on the airline sector.

Tom Sieber and Ian Conway from Shares magazine discuss moves by consumer goods giant Reckitt to sell off large parts of its business.

Dan Coatsworth chats to Sunil Krishnan from Aviva Investors about ‘reflation’ and how it impacts certain investments. We also get an update on AJ Bell funds from James Flintoft, Head of Investment Solutions at AJ Bell.

Also in the last episode before the summer break, Danni and Charlene discuss the return of the sub-4% mortgage and why more people have been using cash to budget.

We’ve seen some big movements on the US and UK stock market over the past week linked to geopolitical issues, inflation and jobs data. Dan analyses the market reaction and what it means for investors.

This week’s episode features a great interview with James Lowen at JOHCM UK Equity Income about housebuilders, EasyJet and ITV.

Charlene Young chats about some of the key money-related bits in the King’s Speech and why AJ Bell is calling for major changes to ISAs to help simplify saving and investing.

Finally, if you’ve ever wondered about the value of luxury handbags and whether they’ve delivered a better return than stocks and shares, Charlene has fascinating insight into this market.

They also deliver the latest updates on housebuilders Vistry and Barratt Developments amid planning challenges and rising costs, preview the upcoming US second quarter reporting season, highlighting key companies to watch, and discuss the wider implications of a profit warning from recruiter PageGroup.

Plus, don't miss our interviews with fund managers discussing the UK property market and alternative income sources for investors.

Charlene Young and Danni Hewson discuss how the Fed comments and new economic data has driven a new rally in US and Asian markets amid hopes of interest rate cuts.

They look back on the big investing themes of the year including AI and UK takeovers, while also updating on the latest news from Tesla whose sales fell less than expected and how Sainsbury’s is being weighed down by Argos.

Tom Sieber and Ian Conway from Shares magazine put sportswear giant Nike under the spotlight. 

The podcast team also debate energy prices, why May saw record ISA inflows and how house prices are still rising even as mortgage approvals slow.

Dan Coatsworth talks to Joe Bauernfreund from AVI Global about the world of activist investors and why he has taken stakes in Reckitt and Entain.

Tom Sieber chats with Urban Logistics’ Justin Upton about the property sector and why this trust walked away from a potential merger with a rival.

We’ve also got Martin Gamble and Ian Conway debating the merits of Bankers Investment Trust.

Dan Coatsworth and Danni Hewson discuss what’s been a volatile week for tech stocks with AI chipmaker Nvidia losing billions of dollars off its market value, and Microsoft and Apple potentially facing huge fines from EU regulators.

As Shein edges closer to a London listing, the podcast team debate why investors are nervous and whether the IPO will actually happen. Danni also explores Frasers’ efforts to add another revenue stream via the buy now, pay later market.

We’ve also got Abbas Barkhordar from Schroders on the show to talk about investing in Asia.

Dan speaks to Neil Shah from Edison, who shares insights on improving the UK stock market, and he interviews Dean Orrico, manager of the Middlefield Canadian Investment Trust, to discuss the impact of rate cuts in Canada and parallels with the UK market.

From further cuts to National Insurance and the pension “Quad-lock” proposed by the Conservatives to Labour’s decision not to bring back the lifetime allowance and the Lib Dem’s proposal to reform capital gains tax, the podcast has all the important details.

Danni looks at a plethora of economic data including jobs and GDP figures and how they might impact interest rate decisions.

The team discuss Apple’s AI gambit and why it has upset Elon Musk. There is also chat about Raspberry Pi’s well-received London IPO.

Finally, Dan Coatsworth talks to Will Orr from the Gym Group about how the nation is spending more money on health and fitness and the role his company plays.

Danni Hewson and Dan Coatsworth discuss a plethora of good news from the retail sector including updates from Zara-owner Inditex and discounter B&M. They also explore why WH Smith has revived the Toys R Us brand in its UK stores.

The nation continues to pile into Cash ISAs, as Dan discusses on this week’s podcast. He also explores why the oil price suddenly dropped.

Tune into a fascinating interview with Rockwood Strategic fund manager Richard Staveley who talks about investing in small cap stocks and why he is supportive of a new UK ISA.

Finally, Ross Driver explains why Foresight Solar shareholders are voting on whether to keep the investment trust going or wind it up.

Martin Gamble and Ian Conway conduct a deep dive into City of London Investment Trust and why it is so popular with investors. Tom Sieber explores Scottish Mortgage’s latest financial results and chats about the best and worst performing trusts year-to-date. 

Ever wondered what’s the difference between an investment trust and an open-ended fund? Laith Khalaf has all the answers in our educational slot.

Dan discusses how and why markets have taken a step back this week and gives us an insight into the upcoming FTSE quarterly reshuffle.

Charlene Young has the latest on the takeover situation for Royal Mail’s parent company and how markets aren’t quite as confident how it’ll clear the next hurdle of government approval.

Tom Selby, director of public policy at AJ Bell, discusses the triple-lock-plus pledge from the Conservatives and some worrying research highlighting the confusion around when exactly you might be able to claim your state pension.

Charlene asks Wealth Wizards’ chief executive Ben Hampton about joint FCA and Treasury proposals to get more people investing, namely what help do people want, when should they consider advice and what changes could consumers see as part of effort to close the so-called “advice gap”.

Martin Gamble and Tom Sieber also join us from Shares magazine to discuss big growth plans from AstraZeneca.

Laura brings you the latest on the FCA's crackdown on finfluencers and the troubling rise in UK fraud figures. Plus, don't miss our conversation with AJ Bell chief executive Michael Summersgill, who shares his candid thoughts on the proposed UK ISA and its potential impact on the market.

The ban on UK energy firms offering cheaper deals to new customers could be scrapped from October as the regulator is eager to revive competition between suppliers. That means people will be soon be able to shop around for better gas and electricity deals – something that is also good news for a certain stock on the London market, as Dan reveals on the podcast.

Danni Hewson explores the rise of ultra-long mortgages and why many people might still be paying off their home loan as they enter retirement.

AJ Bell’s Rachel Vahey is on the show to explain why some people have to pay emergency tax on an ad-hoc lump sum pension withdrawals.

You can also hear a great interview with Situl Jobanputra from London’s West End property giant Shaftesbury Capital, and sparkling chat between Danni and Dan about diamonds, scandals in the mining industry and why Burberry is firmly out of fashion.

We’ve also had figures this week that showed that 300,000 people filed their tax return early – and we’ll look at why you might want to join those eager beavers.

There are three fund manager interviews this week. First up is AJ Bell’s head of investments solutions James Flintoft, who talks about what’s going on in certain geographies and how AJ Bell’s funds performed in the first quarter of the year. Next is Paul Angell, AJ Bell’s head of investment research, talking about the outlook for bonds. The final interview is with Rob Crayfourd and Keith Watson, who co-manage three funds: CQS Natural Resources Growth and Income, Geiger Counter, and Golden Prospect, to explain three of the key commodities produced by miners on the stock market.

We discuss a range of topics with investment experts and fund managers. Each episode debates some of the most popular trusts with retail investors, the big topics that matter, and a little bit of educational material to get listeners up to speed. This episode focuses on governance, finding bargains and private equity.

One of the differences between traditional funds and investment trusts is the latter have a board of directors. They’re meant to keep a check on what the manager is doing and uphold high levels of corporate governance but that doesn’t always happen. Laith Khalaf talks to James Carthew from research group QuotedData about what the board should really be doing.

We’ve had some requests to look at Ruffer Investment Company so Tom Sieber and Martin Gamble from Shares magazine join us on the podcast to talk about this investment trust and the broader capital preservation space.

Migo Opportunities Trust knows a thing or two about how to find bargains among investment trusts so we invited co-manager Charlotte Cuthbertson to explain what trends and opportunities she’s seeing at the moment.

To round things off, we take a look at the world of private equity because the UK financial regulator has got a bee in its bonnet about a few things in the industry. Joining Dan Coatsworth to talk about what the FCA is reviewing is Alan Gauld from Patria Private Equity Trust.

They discuss reaction to the latest Fed decision, the big consumer names like Starbucks and Yum! Brands feeling the inflation blowback, and AI-charged stocks Amazon, Alphabet and Microsoft.

Dan Coatsworth has done a very timely interview with JP Morgan Claverhouse fund manager Callum Abbot on the good and the bad of the UK stock market.

With mortgage approvals hitting an 18-month high last month, Danni quizzes David Hollingworth from L&C Mortgages about what he’s seeing in the market.

The pair discuss Tesla’s surprise announcement, Pepsi’s trading-down problem, JD Sports aiming to generate 40% of sales from the US, and an activist investor snapping up bonds in troubled utility company Thames Water.

You can hear about an alarming number of adults still living with their parents in their 30s and what the property industry wants the government to do to help first-time buyers get on the property ladder.

Dan discusses the disappearance of generous cash incentives to switch bank account and the surge in people switching credit card deals.

Finally, Tom Sieber and Ian Conway from Shares magazine get under the bonnet of Associated British Foods and how there is a lot more to the business than its retail arm, Primark.

The rise in scams is the hot topic of the week, with over £1 million reportedly lost this year already by ‘Swifties’ – Taylor Swift fans desperate to get their hands on tour tickets.

Our guest is Ayush Abhijeet from Ashoka India Equity Trust, who chats to Danni Hewson about where he sees the potential value in what’s likely to be the G20’s fastest growing economy once again this year.

Charlene has an update on the enquiry into the collapse of the Woodford Equity Fund and how the regulator was going to give one of parties involved a £50 million fine but then chose not to.

Dan covers upbeat news on IPOs, a takeover approach for Royal Mail and a deal involving 90s food favourite TGI Friday’s.

We wrap things up with figures on charity gifting and Charlene explains how gift aid rules give UK charities a 25% boost on donations received but also possible tax relief for those making the donations.

Earnings season has started all over again and kicking things off in the UK the country’s biggest supermarket Tesco reports a jump in profits as price cuts keep shoppers in store. Danni looks into what that might signal for the weeks ahead, plus what the former Tesco boss Jason Tarry might bring to John Lewis and Shell’s shock announcement that it could consider moving its listing to New York. AJ Bell’s head of policy Rachel Vahey is on hand to deliver our pensions corner and she’ll be answering one of your questions about the potential tax implications as the state pension increases and our guest this week is Catherine Yueng Investment Director at Fidelity Asian Values – she explains why she still sees China as a good investment.

Gold has hit another record high so Dan dives into the reasons why the precious metal is doing so well.

Danni digests some disappointing news from Tesla and what it means for the electric vehicle space.

Tom Sieber from Shares magazine talks about the state of the UK stock market and a warning from one of the big brokers that we could see hundreds more companies disappear from the London Stock Exchange over the coming years.

Jeremy Hunt promised us a new British Savings Bond when he gave his Budget last month and we’ve now got all the important details. Dan weighs up the pros and cons of the new savings vehicle.

Meanwhile, Danni explores the rise of the billionaire and why it might be worth looking down the back of the sofa for some chocolate coins.

Published at the start of each month, the bonus podcast features a range of topics with investment experts and fund managers, with each episode debating some of the most popular trusts with retail investors, the big topics that matter, and a little bit of educational material to get listeners up to speed. This episode focuses on income, growth, the UK and renewable energy.

Laith Khalaf talks to Annabel Brodie-Smith from the Association of Investment Companies about dividend heroes. These are investment trusts that have raised their dividend every year for at least 20 years in a row.

Martin Gamble and Tom Sieber from Shares magazine explore the rise of JPMorgan Global Growth & Income and how it has become one of the most popular trusts with UK investors.

Ryan Lightfoot-Aminoff from Kepler Partners is on the show to explain the different ways you can invest in the UK following plans by the Government to launch a British ISA.

Meanwhile, Dan Coatsworth talks to James Smith from Premier Miton Global Renewables Trust about why the renewable energy space has been a disappointing place to invest recently, and what is needed for the sector to deliver better returns.

Trump has been dominating the headlines ahead of the US election, but he’s hit them for a different reason now: his media business has floated on the stock market – we cover how the float went. And our interview this week is with Ewan Markson-Brown from the Crux Asia ex-Japan Fund, who explains why he’s excited about prospects for the electric vehicle sector.

Looking away from markets, we have an update on the Waspi campaign, and whether they are really likely to be in line for £10bn in compensation, and we have details of a new mortgage for first-time buyers that only requires a £5,000 deposit.

Finally, we look at some news on how all our supermarket shopping habits have changed – and why we are opting for pricier brands. And cover another drop in food inflation – which might spell good news for overall inflation figures.

They also chat about Unilever’s decision to spin off its ice cream empire, Nvidia’s continued moves to dominate the AI sector and the Chancellor’s comments that the pension triple lock will need to be looked at again after the next election.

Dan Coatsworth gives us a sneaky peak into what’s in the baskets of ISA millionaires as well as where investors have been investing their ISA money over the past few months.

Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust is always a firm favourite in ISAs but it’s had a tricky run of late. Danni chats to deputy manager Laurence Burns about why he feels it has turned a corner. 

Laura Suter gets out her spreadsheet to show how a Lifetime ISA can help first-time buyers shave years off the slog to get a house deposit together.

With some parents about to get a child benefit windfall thanks to the raising of high-income thresholds, Charlene explains how a Junior ISA can help you turn that into a chunky nest egg for your kids.

AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould considers the latest inflation figures and what central banks might do next with rates.

Danni Hewson explores the growing cost of vet bills and why concerns by the UK competition watchdog have led to a formal investigation of the sector including whether consumers are being overcharged for medicine and prescriptions.

Dan considers the latest results from Domino’s Pizza and Dollar Tree and what they tell us about the state of the UK and US consumer. He also looks at new figures showing a decline in Cash ISA subscriptions, while Danni explores big changes to the basket of goods used to calculate UK inflation.

Danni Hewson considers the OBR’s new economic forecasts and the market reaction to the Budget.

Dan Coatsworth explores the new British ISA, how it might work and why it is not the perfect solution to getting more people interested in investing and supporting UK businesses.

Pensions news was thin on the ground in the Budget but Charlene Young has found some nuggets worth digesting.

Also on the podcast: good news for parents looking for help meeting the cost of childcare and changes to capital gains tax on the sale of second homes.

The team also discuss how the UK government has confirmed plans to push ahead with the sale of its stake in NatWest by summer at the earliest.

Published at the start of each month, the bonus podcast features a range of topics with investment experts and fund managers, with each episode debating some of the most popular trusts with retail investors, the big topics that matter, and a little bit of educational material to get listeners up to speed. This episode focuses on underperforming fund managers and mergers.

Should you pay a fund manager to try and outperform or use a low-cost tracker fund that simply follows the market and doesn’t try to beat it? It’s a key conundrum for investors, particularly as many big-name fund managers have lagged the market in recent years. Dan Coatsworth debates this topic with Stuart Gray, co-portfolio manager at Alliance Trust.

Nick Train-managed Finsbury Growth & Income is among the trusts that have underperformed over the past three years so Ian Conway and Steven Frazer from Shares magazine are on the podcast to discuss what the trust is trying to do and whether there are flaws to its strategy.

Shares magazine’s Tom Sieber also joins the podcast to talk about an investment trust that is shooting for the moon as it hopes to make money from investing in space. So far, Seraphim Space Investment Trust has delivered poor returns for shareholders who invested at its stock market debut in 2021.

Dan chats with James Carthew, head of investment company research at QuotedData, about the growing trend for mergers in the investment trust space. We’ve also got Laith Khalaf to run through what it means if one of the trusts in your portfolio goes through a merger, takeover or decides to be shut down.

Danni digs into whether Shein’s consideration of a London listing comes with warning signs and whether a bidding war could be about to start for electrical retailer Currys.

Charlene considers warnings by the IFS that the Chancellor must prove any tax cuts are affordable, and the good news that food price inflation is finally falling.

Dan Coatsworth has been chatting to a couple of people who know tech stocks inside out AND backwards – we’ll hear from Maneesh Bajaj from Brown Advisory’s US Flexible Equity Fund which is invested in most of the Magnificent Seven. Now the dust has settled, we’ve brought back George Dent from BNY Mellon Long-Term Global Equity Fund to talk about semiconductors.

Tom Sieber from Shares magazine also joins the show to consider if Disney has really lost its way.

It was a mixed picture for UK banks with HSBC shares plummeting the most since the pandemic after a cocktail of negative factors in its results. The team also weigh up the key points from Lloyds, Barclays and NatWest from their latest results. 

Dan chats to Fundsmith Equity Fund manager Terry Smith and head of research Julian Robins about why they are excited by a certain stock in the pharmaceutical sector as weight-loss drugs take off.

Danni catches up with former Dragon Sarah Willingham and her husband Michael Toxvaerd about expanding their Nightcap empire at a time that hospitality is struggling.

The podcast team also discuss the potential headroom in the Chancellors’ budget which could give the green light to pre-election tax cuts, why the governor of the Bank of England thinks the UK recession is already behind us, and the new bank notes featuring King Charles coming to a wallet near you in the next few months.

This week’s special guest is George Dent who is part of the investment team managing the BNY Mellon Long-Term Global Equity Fund. He gives a fascinating interview about everything to do with Microsoft and why it remains so popular with investors.

We’ve had a wealth of new data on inflation and the economy which have significant implications for the direction of interest rates. Laith Khalaf examines the data and what might happen next for savers, borrowers and investors.

Dan considers what The Body Shop’s UK operations going into administration means for shoppers and the retail sector.

Laith talks through the reasons behind Bitcoin rising above the $50,000 level and he also reveals the steps investors are taking to avoid losing more of their gains to the taxman from 6 April.

Our interview this week is with seasoned US investor Daniel Peris, who has over two decades of experience as a dividend-focused portfolio manager in the US. He is talking all about how investors in the States have shifted away from a dividend focus – and why that might be about to change.

And finally, Laura will be bringing you some news on why you might need more in your retirement pot than you initially thought, as a new report out this week found that the amount we all need to live on in retirement has increased dramatically.

If you’re a fan of investment trusts, you’re going to love it. And if you don’t know what they are and just want to hear interesting stuff about markets, companies and investing in general, you’ll also find loads of great stuff.

Published at the start of each month, the bonus podcast series will feature a range of topics with investment experts and fund managers, with each episode debating some of the most popular trusts with retail investors, the big topics that matter, and a little bit of educational material to get listeners up to speed.

To kick things off, this episode focuses on income, bargains, technology and smaller companies.

Laura Suter chats with Paul Angell from AJ Bell about how plenty of investment trusts offer a decent income stream. Paul reveals all the key things you need to consider when researching potential investments in this space and highlights three trusts with interesting characteristics.

The ability to buy a portfolio of shares or bonds for less than they are worth is a key attribute of many investment trusts. Dan Coatsworth talks to Emma Bird from Winterflood about these discounts and why they exist.

Tom Sieber and Steve Frazer from Shares magazine get under the bonnet of Scottish Mortgage, an £11 billion investment trust which has tested shareholders’ patience in recent years. They explain why it became popular, why the share price has been through a bad patch, and what to expect from the trust going forward.

Finally, Dan chats with Stuart Widdowson from Odyssean Investment Trust about the outlook for UK-listed smaller companies and why 2024 could be more fruitful for this part of the market.

The pair chew over why Microsoft and Alphabet’s results were such a let a down as both companies warned the AI boom would come at a price.

Danni mulls over Elon Musk’s odd behaviour after a judge in Delaware voids his 2018 mega pay deal and Tesla shareholders are asked to vote on moving the company’s legal home to a different US state in apparent retaliation.

Dan digs into what’s going on with IPOs and why companies like Flutter are still quitting London for New York.

You can also hear about the IMF warning that the UK Chancellor’s potential tax cut plan doesn’t add up, the surge in demand for help dealing with financial problems reported by the Money Helper service, and the green shoots spotted by mortgage brokers in the housing market.

This week’s guest interview features Jean Roche from Schroder UK Mid Cap investment trust who’s on the show to talk about interesting companies on the UK market and why she is becoming more optimistic.

Tom Sieber and Steven Frazer from Shares magazine are on the show to talk about why investors have given a big thumbs down to Tesla’s latest results.

Dan explores the concept of drip pricing and how hidden fees could soon be a thing of the past.

Danni chats about new figures which show a rise in mortgage and loan defaults, and how more retailers are seeing a pick-up in demand for buy now, pay later.

The team also debate the prospect of big changes to the frequency of letter deliveries in the UK.

Finally, Laura Suter talks to AJ Bell’s investments director Ryan Hughes about market trends and what’s been happening with AJ Bell funds.

In the markets segment we also cover what the latest jobs figures mean for the health of the economy, and for recruitment firm Page Group, and we look at the impact of the new boss at BP.

As interest rates are still expected to be cut this year, it’s no surprise that savings rates are falling. We’ve got some news about the Premium Bond prize fund falling – which might signal the end of great rates for savers. And as more people are dragged into the next income tax bracket, Laura has got some helpful advice on how to navigate that.

Our interview this week is Mike Seidenberg, lead portfolio manager of the Allianz Technology Trust, about the technology space and his outlook for the year ahead.

After the discovery of loose bolts following a mid-flight blowout which saw a door pop off an Alaskan Airlines plane mid-flight, shares in Boeing and some of its suppliers have understandably been impacted as the FAA grounds the planes for further investigation. Danni considers the implications.

Dan examines Terry Smith’s latest shareholder letter for the popular Fundsmith Equity Fund, and he also talks through ways benefit from higher interest rates in your Stocks and Shares ISA without having to switch out to a cash account.

Plus, it may have started with a fake tweet, but the SEC has given the go-ahead to Bitcoin ETFs with some huge names like BlackRock and Fidelity about to jump in after what’s being called a watershed moment for cryptocurrency.

Our special guest this week is Iain Cunningham from asset manager Ninety One who explains why China might still be of interest to investors wanting Asia exposure, despite slowing economic growth and tighter corporate regulation.

Charlene Young shares some of your stories while Dan Coatsworth talks to podcast listener Phill about how he managed to give up work early and live the life he always dreamed of.

Dan asks Chris Elliott from Evenlode Global Equity if artificial intelligence is a game-changer for business or overhyped. Chris also talks about Microsoft, Diageo, Nestle and where he is finding opportunities in 2024.

The FTSE 100 turned 40 this week so Dan looks at its performance since launch versus the US stock market and ponders the future for the UK blue-chip index.

Laura Suter has some good news for anyone looking to buy a house or remortgage, while the team also talk about diverging fortunes with retailers JD Sports and Next.

We’ve also got the first of a new monthly segment from the team at Shares, who will be discussing chip company Nvidia and UK engineering firm Rolls-Royce. And Tom Selby is back with his pensions corner, looking at all those lucky people who have got Christmas bonuses at this time of year, and the big question of whether you should put any of that money into your pension.

And we’ve got the latest update in that long, long Woodford saga, and we dive into some research that shows what investors are planning to do next year, what they’re worried about and where they see investment opportunities.

You can hear about vaccine maker Pfizer which has warned of trouble ahead as it struggles with life after covid, plus there might be two blockbuster IPOs heading London’s way in the form of fashion giant Shein and high street retailer Boots.

Dan talks to Will Riley from Guinness Sustainable Energy Fund on the challenge of making money from clean energy stocks. Anthony Cross from Liontrust is also on the show to explain why he’s optimistic about the UK stock market.

Finally, don’t miss AJ Bell’s head of investment analysis Laith Khalaf on his latest report into how active fund managers have performed versus passive funds.

Find out why bitcoin and gold have been moving higher and what Dan makes of GameStop’s latest results.

From January 2024, parents in the UK can start applying for 15 hours of free childcare per week. Laura Suter dives into the details and finds it’s not as clear cut as you might think.

Laura explores the rise in foreign ownership of UK shares and why it puts even more pressure on the Government to make the market more appealing to domestic investors.

Steve Wreford from Lazard is also on the show to talk about thematic investing and why he believes a shift in the market environment has major implications on portfolio positioning.

We’ve also got an update on the energy price cap, as prices will rise again from January, and a warning about potential rate cuts from one of the nation’s favourite providers: NS&I. And we have all the details on the regulator cracking down on so-called greenwashing of funds – where funds purport to have sustainable credentials but fall short of actually having them.

The team talk about how UK economic growth expectations have been downgraded and how it could take longer to hit the Government’s 2% inflation target than previously thought.

Dan Coatsworth explores changes to National Insurance tax and how it could put up to £750 extra in someone’s pocket a year.

Danni Hewson weighs up the good and bad news for businesses in the Autumn Statement including the impact of a higher National Living Wage.

Charlene Young discusses good news for those in retirement and how people might be able to keep the same pension pot when they move job. She also explores efforts to make ISAs more accessible.

The Government has indicated it will hold a ‘Tell Sid’-style campaign to sell its near-40% stake in NatWest – find out how this might work and the history of ‘Tell Sid’.

You can also hear about the market reaction to Nvidia’s latest results and the strange goings-on with ChatGPT.

Tom Selby explores the pros and cons of the FIRE movement – financial independence, retire early. He explains the key things to consider if you want to stop working in your 50s or earlier.

Laura Suter talks about the growing number of people who are behind with their mortgage repayments and how the HMRC is reportedly bracing itself for a deluge of calls as more people find themselves in a higher tax bracket.

Kumar Pandit from the Somerset EM Dividend Growth Fund is on the show to talk about investing in India, while Dan also looks at the cosmetics industry following The Body Shop’s takeover, and why shares in property companies have started to move higher.

Our interview this week is on the same topic – the UK Property market. Property investment trusts have had a tough time of late, but one vehicle is doing much better than the rest and that’s AEW UK REIT, so Dan Coatsworth talks to them about their success.

And Danni and Laura look at a slew of data that gives insights into all our spending habits – particularly in the run up to Christmas – including delving into the impact that’s having on retailers. And they also cover the big news of office space provider WeWork filing for bankruptcy.

They discuss the good and bad of recent earnings updates including McDonald’s and Coca-Cola beating expectations and BP disappointing.

Get the lowdown on big names in the retail sector. It might be the “golden quarter” now but it’s not all been shiny for online retailer ASOS. Next has raised its profits outlook once again but what does the sale of Missguided to Shein mean for Frasers?

Buy now, pay later has boomed but there are warnings the facility is sending thousands of people into a spiral of debt. Danni and Dan also talk about the decline in UK mortgage approvals, the rise in company insolvencies and why the future looks bleak for WeWork.

Dan also catches up with a fund manager who is smashing it out of the park – James Rutland explains how he’s managed to deliver more than twice the IA Europe sector over the past three years with the Invesco European Focus fund.

They also look at the latest eye-opening figures on scams. And investment director Ryan Hughes covers a bevvy of investment news, from the fallout in the UK property fund world, to the expensive tracker funds costing you over the odds and what the latest UK government bond yields mean for you. Tom continues that bond theme in his pension corner, looking at whether those nearing retirement need to worry about gilt yields and the impact it could have on their portfolio.

Danni checks out earnings updates from big US banks including JP Morgan and Bank of America and a crowd-pleasing turn from Premier Inn-owner Whitbread.

Tom Selby is on hand to explain what the latest wage and inflation numbers mean for the state pension triple lock as well as answering a question about tax relief once you are over 75.

Laura’s been crunching the numbers on how much the income bands tax freeze is costing you and Tom Sieber chats to Jim Strang from HG Capital Trust about investing in privately-owned technology companies.

Comments from Federal Reserve officials suggesting no further rate hikes are likely to be needed in the US saw markets return to the front foot ahead of the third quarter earnings season.  Tom talks through what investors will be looking out for as companies ready their quarterly updates while Danni discusses why the latest numbers from luxury goods maker LVMH disappointed investors.

Danni and Tom consider the Birkenstock IPO and whether the iconic footwear brand can do better in the US than Dr Martens has on the UK market.

Also this week: Dan Coatsworth talks to James Henderson from Law Debenture about what it would take for UK stocks to bounce back, and the fund manager gives his thoughts on ITV and Rolls-Royce.

Dan Coatsworth explains why global stock markets have taken a wobble following a sell-off in government bonds. He also talks about the latest results from Tesco and why Boohoo is going through a tough patch.

Social media networks could soon be following in the footsteps of streaming platforms by charging users more money if they don’t want to see advertising or have their personal details used for targeted advertising. Dan and Laura debate this matter and what it means for consumers.

This week’s special guest is Richard Sem from Pantheon Infrastructure who talks to Danni Hewson about the opportunities and pitfalls of investing in global digital networks as connectivity becomes more important.

You can hear about property stocks including British Land and Land Securities which have come under pressure after analysts cut ratings, and how tech giant Meta paid a record-breaking amount to pull out of one London lease as hybrid working becomes further engrained.

Danni mulls over a mixed bag of results from retailers like Next and H&M and gives her two-penneth on why the sun is shining for some companies and not others. Plus, Dan Coatsworth chats to Pruksa Iamthongthong from Asia Dragon Trust about China’s disappointing post-covid rebound and explains what investors need to think about and Tom delivers another “pensions corner”, this one on salary sacrifice.

Dan digs into the surge in profit warnings from UK companies including B&Q owner Kingfisher, fashion retailer Quiz and online alcohol seller Naked Wines.

Reports suggest Frasers is about to strike a strategic deal with Chinese retail giant Shein – Dan talks about the speculated move and what it could mean for the retail sector.

The podcast chats about Walt Disney following speculation it is about to make big changes including the potential sale of some media assets and news that it will invest $60 billion in its theme parks.

Neil Shah, Director of Research at Edison, joins the show to talk to Danni about the lack of IPOs on the London market and what he thinks investors should expect as 2023 draws to a close.

Plus, why rents are rising at a record pace and the changes to auto-enrolment that allow 18-year-olds to access workplace pensions.

Laura Suter explains where customers stand if they need to return faulty goods or spend gift vouchers at collapsed retailer Wilko.

Dan explores the rise of shoplifting, what it tells us about the state of consumer finances, how it is hurting corporate profits margins and why social media is making the problem even worse.

Laura discusses a new report that explores financial inequality, with women having less in savings, investments and pensions then men.

You can also hear about Tesla’s big opportunity with a supercomputer called Dojo which has triggered another big rise in its share price, as well as ARM’s return to the stock market and why Restaurant Group is paying someone to take the Frankie & Benny’s casual dining chain off its hands.

We’ve also got news out from Barratt Homes that’s hot off the press and gives an insight into the housing market – and Laura Suter will be giving an update on the mortgage market. We’ll be discussing the date for the Autumn Statement – and giving a lowdown on what that means and why it matters.

Finally, our interview is with James Wootton, partner at Linklaters, about the planned changes to listing rules in the UK and what it means for investors.

Laura has got some interesting figures showing that parents are raiding their kids’ piggy banks as budgets get depleted amid rising prices, and Danni is chatting to Chris Tennant from Fidelity Emerging Markets about where he sees opportunities for growth in Latin America.

They mull over how the Bank of England might react to cooling prices, look at which stocks on the market have been benefiting from the change in sentiment and ask if the optimism is really warranted.

Higher interest rates have delivered something of a bonanza for many big US banks with Wells Fargo and Bank of America amongst those racking up big profits. Dan delves into the figures.

With actors joining writers on the picket lines in Hollywood for the first time in sixty years the pair assess which stocks could be impacted, with Paramount, Disney and Warner Bros Discovery already experiencing share price declines.

AJ Bell’s head of retirement policy Tom Selby is back to talk about government plans for small pension pots. Plus, Dan talks to Joe Bauernfreund from AVI Global Trust about what he makes of this year’s market movements and where he sees opportunities now.

Laura Suter talks about some remarkable figures on the amount of money in savings accounts that pay no interest and how there has been yet another error made on state pension payments.

Dan Coatsworth chats with Dominic Scriven from investment trust Vietnam Enterprise Investments Limited about investing in Vietnam. Dan also explains the importance of the latest Bank of England stress test on UK banks.

The podcast also features two 15-year-olds talking about how teenagers manage money and how schools can improve personal finance education.

Our interview this week is with Nick Greenwood from Migo Opportunities Trust about takeover potential in the renewable energy and infrastructure space, and we’ll also be looking at the latest figures on how much tax we’re all being charged on our savings, as the Government’s tax take rockets.

The pod discuss the efforts of recently appointed Tufan Erginbilgic to turn around aircraft engine maker Rolls-Royce and whether he can back up some big talk with action, after a strong run for the shares at the start of 2023 petered out.

Items up for discussion include the impact of the pandemic and subsequent recovery in air travel and how important cash flow will be to judging Erginbilgic’s success or failure.

Ian talks through some research he has done on online groceries firm Ocado’s volatility, something much in evidence amid recent speculation over a bid from Amazon. Doubt is cast on these links as the company’s troubles are dissected.

Danni Hewson discusses why tensions in Russia haven’t really moved markets and she explores Boohoo’s spat with Revolution Beauty.

Dan chats to fund manager Ben Ritchie about Dunedin Income Trust’s 150th anniversary and how the investment trust has evolved over the years.

Also on this week’s show: shares in cruise companies are in the spotlight after a bookings bonanza while Walgreens looks to offload hundreds of Boots stores.

Inflation is still enemy number one for many companies and despite an excellent performance from some household names, markets are looking distinctly lopsided with a chunk of FTSE 350 stocks disappointing investors since the start of the year.

Danni explains how supermarket bosses held their own during a grilling from MPs over rising prices. She also looks at the problems with Thames Water and whether regulation in the sector will be tightened.

Laura Suter talks to David Hollingworth from mortgage broker L&C about whether someone should fix their mortgage or stay on a variable rate.

Dan Coatsworth explores the companies which are starting to feel the pain from higher interest rates including housebuilder Berkeley, builders’ merchant Travis Perkins and car seller Motorpoint.

Tom Sieber considers the takeover rumours surrounding Ocado and why some companies in the retail and leisure sectors have shrugged off the negative backdrop to report decent trading.

Finally, Dan talks to Rod Wong from investment trust RTW Venture about investing in the biotech space.

We’ll be covering the impact that UK data has had on the mortgage market – and it’s not pretty. It’s not just the weather that’s heating up, but also M&A activity in UK companies; from a deal for the biggest mobile phone provider in the UK to Mike Ashley’s latest purchase.

In our fund manager interview this week, Dan Coatsworth talks to Argonaut Capital’s Barry Norris about where investors make mistakes with portfolio diversification. And Laura has a handy trick that lets you funnel £36,000 into tax-free savings for your child in less than a year.

Dan Coatsworth talks about how you can get more than 5% interest on cash and how that compares with UK stocks. He also speaks with Nigel Newton, CEO of Bloomsbury Publishing, about how the pandemic book boom has not faded away.

Danni Hewson explores the big crackdown on crypto exchanges by US regulators and the cyber breach that’s impacting businesses from British Airways to the BBC.

She also talks with Dan about good and bad news from the construction and housebuilding sectors.

We’re delving into the mining sector with our fund manager interview this week, with Evy Hambro, manager of the Blackrock world mining trust. And we’ll have the latest markets news, including Nvidia posting bumper profits.

Also up this week we’ll be chatting about the latest inflation figures and we’ve got some good news for Nationwide customers, who are getting some extra money in their bank accounts. Finally, we’ll be revealing some slightly worrying new findings from the regulator about younger investors.

He also chats about the negative market reaction to Watches of Switzerland’s latest update and how that news, along with further declines in diamond prices, suggests cracks in the luxury goods market.

Danni Hewson discusses bad news from Home Depot and she also considers the big profit target from JD Sports.

You can hear about the panic around the US debt ceiling deadline and why it’s important to watch Eurozone inflation.

Laura Suter talks to Sunil Krishnan from Aviva investors about multi-asset investing, and Dan and Danni discuss a warning from the FCA that 11 million people in the UK are struggling to pay their bills.

Danni Hewson picks over this week’s losers including PayPal, Airbnb and ASOS and the big winners including British Airways owner IAG which is now back in profit and sending analysts rushing to upgrade their stock price targets. Plus, wheeling and dealing with JD Sports’ next move in its overseas growth plan and Ryanair snaps up at least 150 Boeing Max 10s.

House prices might have declined in April after three months of recovery but it’s still tough out there, especially when it comes to first time buyers paying exorbitant rents. Laura Suter gives us the lowdown on a new 100% mortgage from Skipton Building Society aimed at renters who don’t have the backing of the bank of mum and dad and Danni and Laura chat through the latest US inflation numbers.

Rachel Vahey, AJ Bell’s head of policy development, talks through why AJ Bell is calling for “One ISA” rather than the hodgepodge of complicated offerings currently available.

Dan Coatsworth also talks to Tejas Dessai from GlobalX about how technology could significantly change how we shop for groceries, clothes and more.

Dan Coatsworth discusses the latest results from UK banks and US tech firms including Lloyds and Meta Platforms. He also debates the potential changes to the UK listing rules as the regulator tries to get more companies to list their shares on the London Stock Exchange.

Laith Khalaf considers the Liberal Democrats’ call for a probe into whether some food companies are profiting too much from the cost-of-living crisis.

Meanwhile, Danni Hewson talks to Tom Williams, investment manager of Downing Renewables and Infrastructure Trust, about what the UK Government needs to do to boost green investment and hit climate targets.

First Republic sent shivers back through markets as the US regional bank reveals more than $100 billion dollars was withdrawn during last month’s crisis of confidence.

A whole host of global consumer giants from Nestle to Coca-Cola have reported and it seems brand is a powerful thing with customers prepared to keep paying more for the things they love despite the cost-of-living crisis.

The UK’s competition watchdog has been flexing its muscles – blocking Microsoft’s takeover of gaming giant Activision Blizzard and it may also be given new powers to tackle businesses that carry fake reviews which has big implications for the consumer and could result in large fines for offenders.

Dan also talks to Ritu Vohora from T.Rowe Price about the latest events on the markets.

Tom Selby explores potential changes to how much protection the UK government offers on cash in the bank, as well as delving into the world of finfluencers.

Dan Coatsworth chats about the latest results from Netflix and he interviews Nicholas Weindling from JPMorgan Japanese investment trust about opportunities in that part of Asia.

We have not one but two fund manager interviews this week to discuss the hot topic of the banking crisis and its knock-on effect on markets. The first is with the manager of Fidelity European Trust, about how the financials-heavy trust navigated the recent crisis, and the second is with Edmund Harriss, chief investment officer of Guinness Global Investors.

We’ll also be revealing a little-known benefit that could help grandparents boost their state pension. 

Virgin Orbit’s been put up for sale following January’s failed rocket launch meanwhile Cineworld is off the market at the struggling chain failed to find a buyer and instead is looking to raise almost £2 billion from its lenders and investors. There’s been plenty of M&A activity going on with beauty giant L’Oreal buying Australian Aesop and Glencore’s play for Canadian miner Teck was rejected but is there more cash in the kitty? Plus, Laura Suter chats to Jasmine Yeo fund manager at Ruffer Investment Trust about shoring up their defensive assets and house prices fall by the most in a month since 2009.

Laura Suter talks pocket money and children’s savings with GoHenry’s Louise Hill and Tom Selby answers a listener’s question about tax-free cash from pensions.

We’re near the end of the tax year which means investors should act quickly if they want to make the most of any allowances before big changes from 6 April. Laith Khalaf has all the details.

We’ve drafted in our pensions expert Tom Selby to explain the detail of those Budget pension changes from last week and how they will work in practice. We’ve got all the info on that boardroom spat at Scottish Mortgage and Laura Suter has a little update on why savings rates at NS&I might be about to significantly improve.

We’ve also got your Budget special right here with post-game analysis from Tom Selby AJ Bell’s head of retirement policy digging into the scrapping of the lifetime allowance and head of investment analysis Laith Khalaf looking at the big picture as the chancellor sails close to the wind with public finances whilst delivering some crowd pleasing moments including rolling out free 30 hours childcare to children from 9 months and a U-turn on plans to increase the amount households pay on their energy bills over the next three months.

Laura Suter discusses the latest on mortgage costs and why a tax-free childcare scheme has been a flop.

Dan Coatsworth considers ways to save up for university tuition and accommodation fees via a five and 10-year investment plan.

He explores the reasons why shares in Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce and Premier Foods are rallying.

Dan also talks to Josh Jones from Boston Partners about long/short investment strategies.

Danni Hewson covers the latest retail figures, from Primark to H&M, as well as some surprising figures from buy now pay later provider Klarna. Laura Suter has an update on energy bills and why they are getting more expensive despite wholesale prices getting cheaper, and she’ll be looking at the latest food inflation figures, which don’t make for pretty reading.

On top of that we’ll have the latest investor interview, with real life investors about how they got started. And Dan Coatsworth has our fund manager interview this week, with Ken from Strategic Equity Capital about the rebound in small cap stocks in recent months and where he is seeing the best opportunities.

With that in mind, Dan’s been talking to Stuart Gray from Alliance Trust about what might happen if inflation falls but interest rates stay high.

There have been chunky profits from most of the UK’s big high street banks including NatWest but Lloyds sees profit growth stalling as a cold wind blows through the housing market, with Rightmove figures showing the smallest jump in February prices since the financial crash.

Plus, the activist investor selling millions of Unilever shares, the short seller attack on Etsy, and Darktrace commissions a review of its finances after allegations of accounting fraud.

We’ve also got the latest update from everyone’s favourite savings company, NS&I, with a boost to the prize fund for Premium Bonds, and our fund manager interview this week is with Tom Caddick, Head of investments at NedGroup investments, about where he sees opportunities in the current market.

Finally, we’ve also got the first in our series of interviews with investors, talking about why they invest and how it makes them feel. Matt spoke about his journey into investing, with a few key life moments spurring him on, from having a daughter, to getting a windfall of money.

Laura Suter has all the details of a report that proposed big changes to how pensions are taxed, and she’ll be diving into the showdown between bank chiefs and Government ministers this week, for not paying you enough interest on your savings. On top of that, she will be talking through how your children’s savings could land you with an unexpected tax bill.

And we’ve also got Dan Coatsworth on the show with an interview with Round Hill Music boss Josh Gruss talking all about music royalties.

Dan Coatsworth and Danni Hewson mull over the IMF’s gloomy forecast for the UK economy and canter through some of the companies reporting earnings including McDonalds, Exxon and Intel. Laith Khalaf updates us on UK government plans to regulate the "crypto-verse" and with the success of auto-enrolment resulting in many people having multiple pension pots, AJ Bell’s Head of Policy Development Rachel Vahey discusses the possibility that the DWP will bring back the pot follows member model.

Laura Suter is delving into the latest Government debt figures, looking for whether they give an indicator as to whether we’re headed for a recession or not, and she’s also explaining the new scheme where you can save money by using less energy.

Dan Coatsworth brings us an interview with fund manager Ron Temple, talking about UK interest rates and corporate earnings.

The FTSE 100 continues to flirt with the record books – nudging close to but not quite hitting a new high as UK retailers like Tesco, Currys and WH Smith deliver on the upside.

But it’s not all been good news with profits at big US investment banks Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley among those taking a big hit with deals down and millions being set aside as recession beckons.

Dan Coatsworth has been chatting to Mark Slater from the Slater Growth Fund about the rebound in UK stocks and how 2022 was one of his hardest ever years as a growth investor.

And with the reopening of China partly behind the New Year rally, Danni’s been chatting to Ewan Markson Brown, manager of the Crux China Fund, about where he sees the opportunities for investors.

Amazon looks to cut costs by closing three UK warehouses plus the latest on reports Goldman Sachs is about to axe thousands of jobs. Plus Terry Smith’s latest missive which shows he’s still got a bone to pick with Unilever and we hear from Richard Shepard-Cross from Custodian Property Income REIT about where he sees value in the market.

Dan Coatsworth explains why Apple and Tesla shares have dragged down the US market so far in 2023 and he also debates what might be in store from the plethora of trading updates due from the retail sector.

Discover why Fundsmith Equity Fund had its first year of negative returns since launch and why manager Terry Smith is not abiding by the fund’s ‘do nothing’ principle.

Tom Selby discusses the rules around recycling money back into a pension, while Laura explains why anyone looking for top-paying cash savings deals should act quickly before rates fall.

Dan also talks to Ed Smith, co-chief investment officer at Rathbone Investment Management, about solving the problem of slowing productivity.

They also discuss the latest inflation figures on both sides of the Atlantic, assess how markets have reacted plus how a winter of strike action in the UK is affecting companies like Moonpig and discuss the latest trading updates from Frasers Group, Zara owner Inditex and the world’s biggest holiday company TUI.

With 2023 hurtling towards us we hear from a host of fund managers about their picks for the new year, plus Laith digs into AJ Bell’s latest manager vs machine data and finds that the year’s volatility has actually put the machine in front.  And Laura talks interest rate rises and the scammers out to get you this Christmas.

Dan Coatsworth looks at the best and worst performing stock markets around the world in 2022. He also discusses what some of the pub companies have been saying about trading amid the World Cup.

Tom Selby considers what might happen to the state pension and when people will be able to get it in the future.

And the BBC’s Dougal Shaw talks to Danni Hewson about what makes a good company boss.

In markets this week we look at why protests in China have caused markets to wobble, the latest strike action and the impact on companies, and Elon Musk's latest spat. We look at whether the excitement around England reaching the next stage will translate to business for pubs. And we've got a bit of pensions news, as the regulator has made a big announcement about British Steel Pensioners.

Dan also chats to Alex Wright from Fidelity Special Values investment trust about his outlook for 2023 and why NatWest sits pride of place in his investment portfolio. And he caught up with Kirsty Desson from abrdn’s Global Smaller Companies Fund about how she’s coped with a difficult year for small caps.

Finally, Laura has also been crunching some numbers on the ridiculous situations where you end up paying 99% tax -- or even more -- when you get a payrise.

Nick discusses performance, companies with pricing power, his thoughts on Alan Jope planning to step down as Unilever chief executive, and why Relx remains a big holding for his portfolio. 

The fund manager also talks about opportunities with Burberry, how much growth you might expect from his portfolio holdings, and whether he’s made new positions following this year’s market sell-off or simply topped up existing holdings.

Laura Suter chats to NS&I chief executive Ian Ackerley about premium bonds and savings rates.

Dan Coatsworth talks to Polar Capital Technology Trust manager Ben Rogoff about the change in fortunes for tech stocks. Dan asks Ben whether it is time for the Faangs to be relegated and a new group of tech stocks to lead the pack. They also talk about opportunities in the sector following widespread share price declines.

Artemis fund manager Rebecca Young explains why investors with a 60/40 equity/bond portfolio shouldn’t panic about the bond component failing to provide support this year.

Laith Khalaf looks at the latest activities among equities, currencies and government bonds, while Dan explains why the potential sale of Manchester United football club matters to investors, and why Disney has brought back its old chief executive.

Dan Coatsworth and Laura Suter discuss the relevance of Black Friday, whether retailers will enjoy a  bumper sales period, and what to think about if you’re trying to cut back on your spending but want to take advantage of discounts in the shops.

Dan explains why stock markets have perked up in recent weeks, and he also talks to Fay Ren from the Cerno Pacific Fund about why companies with rich intellectual property can be attractive investments.

Also this week we’ll be looking at the nation’s financial resilience in the current cost of living crisis, as new data reveals 1 in 4 people have less than £100 in savings, as well as talking about that tricky task that everyone puts off: writing a will. And in the market update we’ll cover layoffs at Meta and Twitter, Primark’s decision not to raise prices and the cracks showing in the UK housing market.

With more lockdowns affecting companies like Apple, Disney and Nio in China I’ve caught up with Catherine Yeung investment director at Fidelity about whether there’s anything to speculation that the zero covid policy might be relaxed and what investors should be thinking about when it comes to Chinese companies right now.  And what’s up with retail – with pandemic darling Made.com shuffling towards administration and Morrisons planning to ditch over a hundred of the McColl’s stores it only bought in the spring it’s looking like being a very difficult Christmas for the sector.

We have the usual market update, including the potential collapse of online furniture retailer Made.com and the latest antics of Mike Ashley. On top of that, we’ve got Ian Conway from Shares magazine giving an update on a bumper US earnings season, with 45% of the S&P 500 reporting this week.

Ryan Hughes from the AJ Bell investment team joins us to answer a listener question on the current bond market turmoil. And finally, we have some alarming news for those people who like to hoard their stamps.

Tom Sieber gives us the market reaction to the news, including whether those crucial Gilt yields stabilised, while Tom Selby details the impact on the pensions landscape and that all-important triple lock. The team also debate what is coming down the pipeline from the current Government and the remaining thorny issues the new Chancellor has to wrangle.

Laura Suter talks to broker David Hollingworth from L&C on what’s happening in the housing market and what you should do if you are in the process of moving or re-mortgaging.

Dan Coatsworth and Danni Hewson discuss the economic volatility surrounding the Bank of England’s bond buying programme. 

Markets have had plenty to keep them scrambling this year and as we head into earnings season, Danni caught up with Duncan MacInnes at Ruffer, Olivia Geldenhuys at Schroders and Andrew Surrey at Vanguard to ask what they make of 2022 so far.

Dan and Danni also pick over the good the bad and the downright ugly from this week’s market movements including why the FTSE 100 has finally succumbed to the malaise that’s been present in most other indices already this year, and why shares in renewable energy-related companies and investment trusts including SSE have been falling.

The pair look at some big market moves which have ruffled the semiconductor companies globally and Danni finds a few bright spots with positive updates from Pepsi, Hollywood Bowl and packaging group DS Smith.

Hear from Dan and Laura Suter about why share prices and the pound suddenly perked up, what to expect if you’re getting a new mortgage, and where to find the top savings rates on cash accounts.

Discover why shares in Tesla took a pounding, and why Drax is losing ESG fans fast after a damning TV programme about where it sources material to make wood pellets.

Hear about the challenges facing Tesco, Greggs and Tortilla Mexican Grill, and Dan talks to stock trader Michael Taylor about why shares in Naked Wines have fallen 90% in 12 months.

Finally, Laura has some wise words on how to avoid pension scams.

They explore the fierce market reaction to the UK Government’s mini-Budget, why the Bank of England has stepped in to stop gilt yields getting worse, and why the IMF is not best pleased at Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng’s policy decisions.

Dan explores the large number of chief executives who have quit FTSE 100 companies this year. And this week’s guest is Joe Bauernfreund who runs the AVI Japan Opportunity Trust. He talks about investing in Japan and how he takes an activist approach as a fund manager.

With one of the most pressing issues being discussed in boardrooms today being how to save money, Dan catches up with Jonathan Maxwell, the manager of the SDCL Energy Efficiency Income Trust. He runs an investment trust that puts money into projects that not only save companies a few quid, but also help the environment.

With leaks about the new chancellors “mini-budget” coming in thick and fast, Danni looks at the boost house builders like Persimmon and Redrow have been getting from speculation that there could be intervention on stamp duty. And as one of the city’s most controversial characters backing away from the board of Frasers Group, Danni and Dan discuss the career and legacy of Sports Direct Founder Mike Ashley.

Tom Selby is on to talk about the great ‘un-retirement’ of over-65s returning to work after the exodus during covid. And Dan Coatsworth talks to Morgane Delledonne from Global X on ways to invest in cybersecurity, as more companies look to protect themselves from hacking.

Elsewhere, with savers finally getting a better return on their money, Laura Suter has some news for people who want to save in a green way. But she also shares a warning: that the extra interest savers are earning might come with an unexpected tax hit.

Dan Coatsworth runs through the market reaction to Liz Truss becoming UK Prime Minister and why retail stocks enjoyed a big bounce on the day. He also explains why one investment bank says H&M could be a big loser in a recession and why JD Sports could be a winner.

Best buy cash savings accounts are now offering interest rates comparable to the yield on the FTSE 100 stock index, meaning investors might start to look more closely at shares offering above-average yields. Steve Frazer chats about the top yielding stocks on the UK market, why some of their income streams are unsustainable, while Dan runs through the golden rules to follow with dividends.

Danni has a great story about how it might be cheaper to go on a cruise than stay at home. She also has some good news for anyone who lives in a more remote location that lacks banking facilities.

Also this week, Laith Khalaf studies the figures from UK banks in the face of the cost of living crisis, following a wave of second-quarter results in the sector. Which leads us neatly onto some startling new data Laura Suter has about how households are coping financially with the cost of living crisis. We also look at the risk of recession in the US, after data showed the economy has shrunk again. 

Elsewhere, we’re talking about a big change the regulator has made to the way financial services work in the UK, with our pensions and regulation guru Tom Selby on to discuss what that means for investors.

And just a note that after this episode, the podcast will be on summer break until September. So we’ll see you in a month!

Also this week, Ryan Hughes from AJ Bell’s investment team takes a look at why bond markets haven’t been performing well. Bonds aren’t necessarily the sexiest corner of investing – but with predictions of a potential recession mounting, and markets becoming more volatile, people might be seeking more safe-haven assets. 

Elsewhere, Laith Khalaf, our head of investment analysis, digs into an age-old question. During tricky market times is it better to invest with a human fund manager who makes stock picks for you, or a tracker that rides the market’s ups and downs?

Finally, Dan Coatsworth meets up with Jeremy Rogers from the Schroder BSC Social Impact Trust, set up two years ago with the goal of helping society and making money for investors. He asks where the trust is deploying its money, and what investors might expect from it in the future.

Earnings season is in full swing, and inflation’s colouring everything from the big GSK spin-off Haleon to another dip in subscriber numbers for Netflix – though with its fall smaller than expected, investors were pleasantly surprised.

Also, employee pay is the only game in town – with warnings that a summer of discontent is on the cards, as more unions ballot on strike action. Plus, commercial property is meant to be one of the ultimate inflation-protected investments – meaning lots of investors might be thinking about diving into the market at the moment. Laura caught up with Roger Clarke, from property stock exchange IPSX, to see how the market has rebounded post pandemic and whether that inflation-protection is going to hold true in the coming year.

Dan Coatsworth talks to Duncan MacInnes about how Ruffer Investment Company not only bucked the negative market trend in the first half of 2022 but also generated positive returns for investors.

MacInnes explains why he believes the bear market isn’t over yet and how gold is an ‘unreliable girlfriend’. 

Discover why falling commodity prices could mark the turning point in the inflation story, and how shares in the big mining companies have lost all the gains made earlier this year.

Rising energy costs are changing the way we spend money, and Laura Suter looks at the latest spending habits and what might come next.

In the markets news we’ve got the latest updates and rows from supermarkets, some positive news from food delivery companies JustEat and Grubhub and an update on US/China tariff war.

And Dan Coatsworth has been chatting to fund manager Laura Foll, who helps run Lowland, Henderson Opportunities Trust and Law Debenture investment trusts, all about the outlook for UK banks, which are much loved by many investors.

They look at what’s behind the defence stock bounce, boosting the likes of BAE Systems and Rolls Royce and how utility companies like SSE have responded to Ofgem’s new distribution price control proposals. Plus, Dan is chatting to the Fund manager of Odyssean, one of the few investment trusts not to have lost a lot of money this year, and on the menu are Chemring, Videndum, Stabilus and Spire Healthcare. 

There is also a new boss for Whitbread, and we discuss why the battle for high street chemist Boots ended with it being taken off the market by US owner WBA, for now.  With a drop in scratch card sales, we also look at why the government’s green savings bond has flopped and Tom Selby brings us up to date on plans for the pension triple lock.

Dan Coatsworth explains why Primark’s click and collect trial is important news for anyone owning shares in Associated British Foods.

He also explores the latest wave of takeovers on the UK stock market and why they aren’t necessarily reasons to be cheerful. Dan also reveals why one fund manager thinks now’s the time to sell shares in oil producer Shell.

Also, Laura Suter explains the latest developments in the buy now, pay later space, and discusses some of the most useful budgeting tools to help get your finances in shape.

Finally, Tom Selby is on the show to discuss the key points someone in their mid-60s should consider before dipping into their pension

Tom Selby AJ Bell’s head of retirement policy looks at the impact the global meltdown’s having on pensions and how soaring inflation combined with market falls risk having dramatic impact on the retirement prospects of savers in drawdown.

Dan Coatsworth has been talking to Ayush Abhijeet who helps to manage the Ashoka India investment trust about what patient investors can get out of India and sticking with global markets Danni and Tom discuss why Netflix has pinned its hopes on a Squid Games reality show and how a Korean boyband made Asian markets tremble. All that and a mad money story with Jenny Owen about a late library fee that’s topped six thousand pounds.

There’s been another flurry of merger and acquisition activity – from the bid for bin business Biffa, to disappointment for Ted Baker after its preferred bidder walked away. Dan digs into Apple’s moves to enter the buy now pay later space, and Danni has yet another Twitter update, with Elon Musk indicating he’s serious about walking away from the deal.

Also, Laura Suter’s finds out when you should get a will and how to go about it, chatting with partner at Taylor Bracewell solicitors, Lauren Smith, about why so many people put it off. And as the price of filling up the tank of a family car surges past £100 for the first time, we talk petrol prices and why so many landlords are leaving the private rental market.

Laura Suter is back, and delves into data on whether low-cost food has faced bigger price hikes during the cost of living crisis. She also chats to a financial adviser, Peter Chadborn of Plan Money, to help you understand when you might want to use one and the sort of questions you should be asking.

And in this week’s investment interview, Tom Sieber chats to Duncan Ball, co-chief executive of BBGI Global Infrastructure. Infrastructure is highly prized for its inflation-protected income at the moment, and they chat about how that affects the fund’s portfolio.

Danni Hewson is here with all the markets news, including Snap’s profit warning, the impact of lifting tariffs in China as it emerges from lockdown, and the latest on those suggestions of a windfall tax. We’re dabbling in football this week, too, with news on the Chelsea takeover, and Danni will be looking at the latest retail figures.

We also have pensions guru Tom Selby back with Pensions Corner, looking at the rules around auto-enrolment and how much you should actually be paying in. And Tom Sieber has an interview with property investment company Industrials REIT, following Amazon’s comments that it’s no longer chasing physical space.

Markets are going through a very difficult patch, and Dan Coatsworth picks the brains of someone who’s been through bad times as well as the good – James de Uphaugh from Liontrust Asset Management. He gives his insights into what investors should be thinking about right now.

Though inflation is dominating sentiment, there’s plenty of other news moving markets this week. Danni and Tom look at the reaction to China’s announcement that Shanghai might soon end its lockdown, as well as a meeting between China’s Vice Premier and tech execs which seems to herald the end of the tech crackdown.

With an eye on future returns, we also ask David Jane from Premier Miton about the trends he thinks will be important longer term. Plus, we’ve got the latest Twitter twist, plans to change how often the price cap is fixed, a massive upheaval in the crypto-verse, and Jenny Owen shares a mad money story about a charity donation of £100 that turned into £140,000.

The UK continues to be fascinated by property prices, and we may now be at a turning point after several years of soaring activity. Laura Suter talks to Guy Harrington from property loan group GlenHawk about what he’s seeing in the market.

And if you’ve ever wondered how analysts come up with buy, hold or sell ratings and how they create share price targets, don’t miss this episode, as Dan explains how it all works. Laura also has some important information on scams which featured in the Queens Speech. 

Sticking with the energy company theme, Laura Suter delves into rumours of suppliers hiking direct debits by more than is fair – and tells you what to do if you’ve been a victim. And she’s starting her mini-series on how to get the most from your bank, kicking off with the best bank accounts for perks.

If that wasn’t enough, Tom Sieber interviews Jupiter Green trust – an environmental solutions-focused fund – about greenwashing and the impact of the Ukraine conflict on global net zero ambitions.

With markets volatile over concern about more China lockdowns, Dan discusses investing in Asia. He casts his eye over Vietnam Holding – the fourth-best performing investment trust of all geographies, sectors and styles in 2021. And he gets the lowdown from Craig Martin, chairman of Dynam Capital, which makes all the portfolio decisions from the Trust.

Also this week: Tom Selby hosts pensions corner – about the state pension, and when and how you qualify for pension credit. Plus, with another survey showing people are cutting back on their personal spend, should we actually be bullish about the retail sector long term?

Dan Coatsworth debates the problems facing Netflix and what it needs to do next. He also chats to Steven Tredget from Oakley Capital about the world of private equity and why more people are interested in this part of the investment universe.

Laura gives some money-saving tips for travel fans, while AJ Bell’s Russ Mould joins the show to talk about the pros and cons of share buybacks.

Danni has the latest on another U-turn in the Elon Musk Twitter saga, and we check in on how the Easter travel chaos is panning out.

We’ve also got two fund manager interviews for you. First, Danni chats to infrastructure investments specialist Giles Frost, at International Public Partnerships Infrastructure investment trust, about how his sector could be ideal in a high inflation world. And Dan talks to small companies pro Paul Marriage, from Tellworth, about how to spot the next big thing.

Finally, Jenny Owen discusses people getting chips under their skin so they can pay for goods in shops using just their hands. 

The team also discuss the week’s volatility, with markets spooked by more Russia sanctions being on the table, and comments from Fed chair Lael Brainard that stronger action might be needed to curb US inflation. Laura Suter chats to Simon Stickney from Collidr about whether you can ever actually time the market, and we hear from Adrian Ash from BullionVault about whether gold is still the go-to safe haven, or if investors are looking at Bitcoin as an alternative. And on the subject of gold, Jenny Owen tells us how the Royal Mint’s looking to turn your old phone into the shiny stuff.

We also discuss Neil Woodford’s former protégé Mark Barnett making a return to fund management, after a year out. And Laura looks at a new savings account that actually pays an interest rate above 1% – but there’s a catch.

Also on this episode, Dan Coatsworth has an interview about how the energy price cap and Russia/Ukraine crisis has impacted the energy industry.

And finally, Laura and Tom Selby have a Lifetime ISA special, answering all of your questions about the end of the tax year. 

Dan has good news for investors who remained patient throughout the recent global stock market sell-off, while Laura Suter gets some tips from RSM tax director Kate Aitchison on understanding HMRC’s tax rules and where people often get caught out.

And Neil Shah from Edison Research is on the podcast to talk about the challenges facing London as the preferred destination for companies floating on the stock market.

As fuel prices rise at the pump, many motorists might be thinking about making the switch to an electric vehicle.  The boss of one charging company has suggested the switch will bring about the end of petrol stations as we know them. To find out more about the opportunities this may bring, Danni catches up with Andrew Jones, CEO of London Metric Property PLC, which is taking major steps forward when it comes to installing charging points on their properties, particularly their retail parks.

And as the new tax year rushes towards us, our Head of Personal Finance Laura Suter and AJ Bell YouInvest’s pensions and savings expert Charlene Young get together to answer all of your ISA questions.

Dan Coatsworth chats about some of the companies on the UK market which you might not realise have exposure to Russia. And Danni Hewson also talks to Neil Shah from Edison Research about companies severing ties with Russia.

The podcast also explores the metaverse – Dan interviews Zehrid Osmani about this buzzword and how he's playing the theme via the Martin Currie Global Portfolio Trust.

Finally, Laura Suter chats about Post Office accounts and how to beat forthcoming changes to dividend tax.

With stock market volatility making some people nervous about their pensions, Tom Selby chats through what those ups and downs might really mean for the average pension holder, and he also answers another pensions’ corner question from a listener who spent a number of years living and working in Ukraine and wonders if that time might count towards their UK state pension.

Plus, Dan Coatsworth has been talking to Chris McVey from Octopus Multi Cap UK Income fund, the best-performing UK equity income fund over the last three years. Chris explains why they’ve got a real bias towards small and mid-cap stocks. And with so much desperately awful news around, we’ve got Jenny Owen to bring us a touch of light relief at the end of the pod with a potted history of Cadbury’s Freddo Frog and its changing price tag.

We also assess the latest financial updates from UK banks, and Dan chats to Neil Shelton from GXO – a huge name in global logistics – about all those supply chain issues we’ve heard so much about. 

You’ll learn how can you make money from music if you’re not a talented musician, as Paul Flood from Newton Investment management joins Danni to talk streaming and where investors can find opportunities. 

We also look at why house prices have jumped by the biggest amount in over 20 years despite rising interest rates. And Laura Suter catches up with Stephen Holiday, the boss of financial app Level, who thinks your employer might be able to help you with your saving goals.

Laura Suter looks at the latest UK figures on the cost of living, and she explains why anyone who has been hoarding stamps for future use will need pay a visit to the Post Office to exchange them for new bar-coded ones.

Get the latest update on global markets, with Dan looking at the impact of tensions between Russia and Ukraine on stocks and shares, the latest numbers from Airbnb, and a warning from Heineken about pushing up prices.

Chris Mellor from Invesco explains how investors can access environmental themes using tracker funds, and Laura looks at UK green bonds where rates have become more generous. 

Finally, Dan talks with Simon Collins from Konexo about the rise of Dear CEO letters in the banking and insurance space, and why they are important.

We also discuss the risk of Meta brands Facebook and Instagram disappearing from Europe, and holiday chat makes a long-awaited return as the travel markets heats up again.

Elsewhere, Dan Coatsworth chats to Artemis Positive Future, a new fund that’s been caught up in the recent market sell-off. And Laura speaks to mortgage guru David Hollingworth about what last week’s interest rate rise means for homeowners.

Mining giant Rio Tinto gave a master class in delivering bad news, Danni and Tom discuss how the report into toxic working practices was received by investors and how other miners might use it as a blueprint for delivering change as more focus is placed on ESG. Dan Coatsworth delivers our final round the world master class chatting to the manager of the Crux Asia ex-Japan Fund Ewan Markson Brown about the opportunities in Asia. 

Tom Selby tackles the thorny issue of how to find missing pensions and if you should consolidate them once you’ve tracked them down, plus Laith Khalaf and AJ Bell’s Chief Investment Officer Kevin Doran about the future of Bitcoin and other crypto currencies.

Dan Coatsworth and Tom Sieber are back with the European edition of their Round the World investing series, talking to Sam Morse from Fidelity about the region’s prospects. Elsewhere Laura Suter looks at some surprising figures on how many first-time buyers have been getting on the property ladder.

And the team have a very exciting announcement and competition for the listeners. So make sure you don’t miss that.

Pensions guru Tom Selby sifts through the latest pension announcements, including plans to make us all get more help deciphering pensions, and the eye-watering tax bills many pensioners are facing.

Also this week, Dan Coatsworth and Tom Sieber are back with our Round the World investing series. This time they stay closer to home and look at the UK – speaking to NinetyOne fund manager Simon Glazier to get his hot tips on the market. And Jenny Owen is back to tell us what the nation’s ideal job looks like, and we also look at the latest crackdown on the cryptocurrency market.

Elsewhere, Danni Hewson looks at the latest inflation figures. She also explores the share price recovery in travel companies, and she talks to Jenny Owen about car prices.

Finally, Dan dives into the latest annual shareholder letter from Fundsmith Equity manager Terry Smith, who has a few choice words to say about Unilever.

Tom Selby joins us to talk potential changes to when we can collect our old-age pension. And although fund managers are always keen to talk about their success stories, Tom Sieber talks to some about the investments that didn’t go to plan for them in 2021, including James Henderson and Murray Income manager Charles Luke.

Jenny Owen is back with Mad Money, looking at the millions you could have made investing in mad trends this year. And Dan and Tom get misty-eyed looking back at the great investment stories of the year, including Dan’s favourite clothes shop soaring and Elon Musk’s ridiculous antics.

Laura Suter talks about how rising house prices are particularly hitting Lifetime ISA savers, and may leave them with a hefty bill, while Tom Selby assesses how LISAs stack up against a pension as a retirement savings option, in Pension Corner.

As Christmas gets closer, we also look at the monetary gifts people are planning to give this year, and who is keeping gift cards alive. And Laura speaks to Prakash Chandramohan from TISA about how more younger people can get into investing.

Unsurprisingly, airlines and travel companies were among the biggest fallers, and there’s been massive volatility in the oil price too, as investors weigh up how demand might be affected over the next few months. We also look at what’s going on with vaccine makers as they suss out exactly how efficacious their drugs will be against this new variant.

Plus, all the drama surrounding BT which looks to be in the middle of a takeover battle, and some big news from big tech – Twitter has a new boss and Facebook’s parent company Meta has been ordered to sell off the newly acquired Giphy by the UK’s competitions regulator. 

And with inflation expected to keep rising next year, some investors are starting to wonder if they really need to take the risk of being in the market to get an income. To discuss this, and to get the latest on dividends from the stock market, Dan talks to James Harries who manages the Troy Global Income Fund.

Dan Coatsworth explains why Royal Mail is exciting shareholders and annoying customers. He also considers why AO has gone from stock market hero to zero, and why certain countries are dipping into their strategic oil reserves.

You’ll also find out which companies might soon be entering or leaving the FTSE 100 index, and why Amazon has decided to stop accepting payment via Visa credit cards in the UK.

Elsewhere, Danni Hewson talks to Ecofin US Renewables Infrastructure Trust about investing in windfarms, as well as COP26 and how the US is transitioning to clean energy. Finally, Jenny Owen has been watching a record-breaking auction in Paris, involving manuscripts from Albert Einstein which have just sold for big bucks.

Laura Suter is on, and gives an update on the latest Government wrangling over pensioner pay, and how the controversial Buy Now Pay Later market has been changing ahead of tougher regulation.

Following on from COP 26, we’ve an interview with green bank Triodos. You’ll hear their thoughts on the rise in green banking, and how exactly you can have an environmentally friendly current account. And if that’s not enough, Jenny Owen makes an appearance, with news of popstars making millions from virtual money in video games.

Dan catches up with Bill Ackman – the man who made a fortune betting on the stock market. His latest gamble is on Universal Music, and we’ve been finding out why.

Plus, Tom Selby is back with another pensions’ corner: assessing the latest government U-turn on the national minimum pension age changes and what it means for you.

Laura Suter looks at how mortgages are getting more expensive, and what homeowners can do to avoid their bills getting too big.

Dan runs through the latest market news, including Terry Smith’s decision to finally invest in Amazon, and why THG and Darktrace have gone off the boil.

He also chats about the forthcoming stock market listing of electric vehicle group Rivian and why two FTSE 100 chief executives have just resigned.

Michael Topham from Biffa is on the show to explain the acquisition of the Company Shop, which helps household goods manufacturers to sell mislabelled products that might have otherwise gone in the bin. The venture also gives something back to the community and has special shops for key workers.

Finally, Jenny Owen discusses things that go bang in the dark – namely fireworks and how we’re spending big on them.

Tom Sieber looks at how markets reacted to the news and the impact on businesses, while Laith Khalaf digs into the big economic numbers and looks at how the economy is doing as we emerge from the pandemic.

Tom Selby looks at how pensioners fared in the Budget, and finds a small nugget that might help those on lower pay who are contributing to their pension, while Laura Suter looks at how reforms to the alcohol taxes might make us all a bit merrier this winter. We also look at the big announcements on Universal Credit, the rise to the minimum wage and whether people will actually be better off.

AJ Bell’s Head of Investment Analysis, Laith Khalaf looks at the latest inflation figures which might have bought the Bank of England some breathing space despite odds of an interest rate rise next month now being actively priced in by investors. 

The team look ahead to next week’s budget with much of the detail already in the public domain, what else might the Chancellor have up his sleeve? 

Laura Suter chats to Robin Powell who is a big fan of passive investing and has just written a book called Invest Your Way to Financial Freedom: A Simple Guide to Everything You Need to Know, which aims to get more young people into investing.

Plus, how a Korean cult TV programme called “Squid Game” helped put Netflix back on track when it comes to subscriber numbers.

Tom Selby chats about a new study that considers the amount of money someone might need in retirement. He’s also back with another round of ‘pensions corner’, answering a listener’s question.

Dan Coatsworth discusses the big sell-off in THG and ASOS shares and why the recovery in Chinese equities has hit a new bump in the road.

He also talks to Charles Glasse from Waverton Asset Management about investment opportunities in European infrastructure and retail companies.

Finally, if you’ve ever wondered about the value of old statues in people’s gardens, you’ll definitely want to hear what Jenny Owen has to say on this week’s podcast.

We also look at the impact rising gas prices are having on businesses, as well as the latest supply chain problems companies are encountering.

Danni Hewson chats to the head of a London property empire, Brian Bickell of Shaftesbury, about emerging from lockdown and the impact it’s had on his business. We also look at why you need to raid your piggy banks for old notes and an intriguing offer of free food and money for students. Finally, we discuss the impact the social media outage of 2021 had on us, and on markets.

Danni Hewson has been digging through the latest update from retail ‘class swot’ Next, which has raised its profits guidance for a fourth time this year. But despite being at the forefront of the move to ‘hybrid’ retail, Next isn’t immune to current supply issues, warning that prices are rising and that it’s worried about finding enough labour to keep its slick delivery operation working smoothly.

AJ Bell’s Head of Investment Analysis Laith Khalaf has been assessing the growing part ethics is playing in investor decision-making ahead of ‘Good Money Week’, which aims to raise awareness of ethical finance. He’s got the lowdown on how those funds have performed and exactly how much ‘greenwashing’ goes on when companies lay out their ESG credentials.

Plus, the new number aimed at preventing fraud, and as the latest Bond film makes its long-awaited debut, we look at how cinemas are recovering, while Dan’s got some crazy stats from 007’s world.

Laura Suter looks at the reasons behind the big spike in energy prices and what to do if your energy provider goes bust.

Richard Penny from Crux Asset Management gives his views of what might happen with stock markets in 2022.

Netflix has bought the rights to Roald Dahl books and Dan explains why this is a very important move by the streaming TV provider. Dan also reveals why shares in British Airways’ owner have shot up by 25% in just five days.

Laura looks at the launch of Chase’s first retail bank account in the UK and why it is different to other accounts on the market.

And Jenny Owen is on the show to talk prime real estate – she’s spotted an island for sale for £50,000.

On this week is Tom Selby in Pensions Corner, talking about the perils of cashing in your pensions in one go, while Dan Coatsworth has an interview with small cap specialist Richard Penny about the stocks piquing his interest. We also look at how the pandemic has exacerbated the wealth gap in the UK, and finally,

Jenny Owen is back with a record breaking price for a beach hut in Money Madness.

Dan Coatsworth looks into US market wobbles after disappointing jobs figures and assess why bad news was actually seen as good news by some investors.  He also takes a look at the latest updates from two household names both of which have put supply issues front and centre. Dunelm and Halfords seem to be experiencing diverging fortunes when it comes to dealing with stock and adults hoping Santa might leave a bike under the tree this Christmas might be disappointed.

As the new school term gets underway many workers are making their first trip back to the office for months, but with more and more companies saying they’re planning to adopt a hybrid practice Danni Hewson chats with leadership supremo Jo Owen about his new book “Smart Work: The Ultimate Handbook for Remote and Hybrid Teams” and asks what he thinks are the positives and pitfalls companies should be considering and where investors might find opportunities as businesses adapt. 

Plus, there's a lot of work being done outside of the classroom to help more children understand money and financial literacy. To that end the Bank of England has teamed up with children's comic favourite Beano and Laura Suter chats to Andrew Hebden, head of outreach and education for the bank, about how the project came about.

Dan Coatsworth examines UK stocks that have done well this summer and discusses the latest news on WH Smith and Blue Prism.

Laura Suter chats about the dangers of freely tapping your debit card in pubs and shops, and she debates why Britain faces a £371 billion savings shortfall.

There is also a section on thematic funds including the launch of a new product that provides exposure to companies helping to make people’s lives healthier.

We will also be talking about how PayPal has jumped on the cryptocurrency bandwagon and Laura Suter will be looking at whether the stamp duty holiday really was the reason behind soaring house prices so far this year. We’ve got Georgia Stewart at Tumelo talking about how investors can assess what’s in their fund portfolios from an ESG point of view and how to hold fund managers to account.

Plus, Tom Selby is on to talk about the bumper 9% payrise pensioners could be getting next year – and how young people feel about that prospect, while Jenny Owen reveals how one item lying around in your car glove box could land you a £1,600 windfall.

With retail the main focus for US markets this week as a whole host of big retailers report their latest earnings, Danni Hewson has been picking through some of the winners and losers.  She’s also been chatting to Catherine Shuttleworth, CEO of Savvy Marketing about the state of retail in the UK and how shipping snarl ups and rising costs could impact the sector in the run up to Christmas.

Plus, fraudsters focus on “smishing” – text message scams aimed at getting you to share your financial details.  We chat about what to look out for and how to avoid getting stung.  Plus Jenny Owen’s got wedding fever and explains how old cake is pulling in big money.

Laura Suter checks out the latest US inflation figures and gives cash savers tips on how to beat the inflationary heat.

Dan Coatsworth chats to AJ Bell Chief Executive Andy Bell about investing for the first time and his tips for young risk takers.  We’ve also got copies of his new book to giveaway.

Plus, Danni Hewson and Jenny Owen on the surge in used car sales and the Mona Lisa of stamps.

Dan Coatsworth explores how the FTSE 250 index of UK companies is trading at a new record high, and he dives into the latest results from Greggs and Domino’s Pizza.

Stuart Widdowson from Odyssean Investment Trust talks about a fascinating company in the defence sector which is doing something very smart that a lot of people haven’t cottoned on to.

Laura Suter is back on the podcast and she talks about junior bankers being forced to work long hours in the pursuit of big paydays. She also reveals the serious amount of cash stuffed down the back of people’s sofas

Finally, Jenny Owen talks about film-related memorabilia that’s worth a lot of money. So, if you’ve got some Ghostbusters or Star Trek stuff in the attic, don’t miss this podcast.

Danni Hewson chats to Ged Futter from the retail consultancy GSCOP about rising prices and how companies like Reckit Benckiser will be looking to pass those onto consumers, plus he gives us his take on the deal on the table for Morrisons which hasn’t gone down well with the supermarket’s biggest shareholder.

We hear from Tom Wildgoose from Nomura about investing in Google and $13 billion dialysis group DaVita and Tom Selby is back with another pensions corner. This week’s listener question is focused on the best way to build up a savings pot for your children.

Dan Coatsworth debates the perils of stagflation, the companies with supply chain disruption and margin pressures, and why strong Q2 numbers may not be enough to push up share prices.

We may be enjoying the summer sun, but Danni Hewson explains why you might need to plan ahead with your Christmas Day meal.

Nitesh Shah from WisdomTree joins the show to chat about why the gold price isn’t behaving as one might expect, and Dan talks to Mark Manduca from XPO Logistics about the challenges facing companies as they seek to move goods from A to B.

Lisa Webster from AJ Bell explains new plans to overhaul the power of attorney system, while Danni looks at the latest issues facing women’s state pension campaigners.

Finally, Jenny Owen looks at the Olympics memorabilia that sells for thousands of pounds.

It’s earning season the sequel and big banks are, as ever, amongst the first to report and whilst earnings growth reported so far has been stellar as expected some US banks have seen big falls in revenues.  Meanwhile with the Bank of England has given the green light to UK banks to start paying out dividends once again we look at how well the sector has coped now economic recovery is underway.

Laith Khalaf is back to talk us through those Lifestrategy funds and finding out why they’ve performed so well over the last decade and what the next years might have in store. Plus, Dan Coatsworth chats to Kartik Kumar, the man behind investment trust Artemis Alpha about how he chooses which stocks to invest in and getting the low down on two that he’s particularly interested in right now.

Danni Hewson talks to consultant Alex Goldstein about the explosion in house prices, and Laith Khalaf asks David Hollingworth from London & Country for tips on getting a mortgage.

Dan Coatsworth interviews James Dunlop from Tritax on why warehouses have become prime real estate thanks to the surge in online shopping.

Ryan Hughes dives into the world of property funds and explains why recent fund suspensions don’t spell the end of investing in this space.

The podcast also debates why Morrisons has become a major takeover target and why oil prices are trading at their highest levels since 2014.

With equities still flying high bonds have been feeling unloved but are they really out of favour with investors?  Dan Coatsworth has been talking to Rhys Davies from Invesco about whether they’re still a good bet for a long-term investment portfolio.

As the FCA bans crypto firm Binance from carrying out regulated activities in the UK we catch up with Ruffer investment director Duncan MacInnes to get his take on investing in Bitcoin.

And is taking out life insurance really a “pact with death”? We chat through some comments made on social media that’s got some people rather hot under the collar and ask what should people consider before buying a policy.

5 years on from the Brexit vote we catch up with AJ Bell’s head of active portfolios Ryan Hughes who gives us the low down on what’s changed, what hasn’t and what’s going on with businesses sentiment and foreign investment.   Danni Hewson chats with Henri Murison, director of the northern powerhouse partnership.  Brexit played a big part in Boris Johnson’s “red wall” victories but what’s going up with the levelling up agenda and how will having the new UK infrastructure bank based in Leeds change things.

Plus Tom Selby digs into all that pension speculation.  Is the triple lock in jeopardy, will the Treasury make changes to pension tax relief or the lifetime allowance or is it all just so much hot air? And Jenny Owen’s looking at numismatics as the Royal Mint celebrates the Tokyo Olympics with a new 50 pence piece.

Dan Coatsworth explore why wages could soon be going up and Danni Hewson looks at the companies in the firing line over big bonuses.

The podcast discusses the state of UK football’s finances and digests the latest news from Boohoo and Ashtead.

If you’re interested in investing in overseas markets then do not miss this week’s guest interview with Nicole Vettise from Franklin Templeton as she talks opportunities in Asia, ways to play the electric vehicle boom and why Alibaba’s multi-billion-dollar fine might not be a reason to panic.

Jenny Owen also looks at why cow poo is playing a major role in the rise of cryptocurrencies.

We get the low down from George Barrow, co-manager of the Polar Global Financials Trust on why financial stocks have been making a bit of a comeback and what investors should be looking out for.

Plus, with UK holidaymakers seemingly stuck at home for another summer what will it mean for Leisure stocks and how are airlines coping since Portugal came off the green list?

Amid talk of a commodities supercycle Dan Coatsworth interviews Mark Smith from Amati Strategic Metals about the mining sector and the outlook for different metals.

There’s a return for pensions corner and we talk about whether investors should care if the chairman and CEO of a company is the same person after recent speculation over whether JD Sports executive chairman Peter Cowgill might step down.

We chat with Julia Lo Bue-Said from Advantage Travel Partnership on how the travel industry is faring under the new traffic light system.

Patrick Dardis from Young’s gives his view on a potential blockbuster summer for UK pubs.

And Daksh Gupta from Marshall Motors explains how used car prices are going through the roof.

We also talk about Marks & Spencer’s latest results and the big wave of takeovers.

As more and more companies are screening investments based on sustainable criteria Danni Hewson chats to Kate Rogers Head of Sustainability at Cazenove Capital and Katherine Davidson Fund Manager of the Global Sustainable Growth Fund – both part of the Schroders group about why they believe investors aren’t having to make a trade-off between values and returns.

And Dan Coatsworth catches up with Gervais Williams from Miton Microcap Trust who explains why shares in UK small cap companies have surged this year and discusses three of his favourite stocks.

Tineke Frikkee from Waverton gives her view on the structural changes we’re seeing following the pandemic and the companies that might prosper.

The podcast also features Tom Selby talking to Mike Padgham from the Independent Care Group about news in the Queen’s Speech to bring forward social care funding reform.

Rounding off this episode is a look at new shocking figures on scams.

Tom also explores proposals to push back the minimum retirement age from 55 from 57, and he looks at how the end of the furlough scheme could see more people over 55 consider dipping into their retirement savings earlier than planned.

The founder of the money saving website “Be Clever With Your Cash” Andy Webb joins us to discuss why high street banks are ditching cash incentives designed to get people to switch and how to the pandemic has seen more of us embrace the virtual world when it comes to our money.

Danni Hewson chats about the ongoing shortage in computer chips and Dan Coatsworth considers the factors troubling investors in the past week. He also debates the type of company which should come out on top as inflation accelerates, exploring the concept of pricing power.

And if you wondered why trainers have become so collectable, Jenny Owen looks at how Ebay is getting more involved in this market.

Dan Coatsworth talks to Hugh Young about how Aberdeen Standard Asia Focus has become the second-best performing investment trust since ISAs were launched in 1999.

Tom Selby explains the tax rules on pension withdrawals, while Danni Hewson explores the Post Office’s role in providing much-needed banking services to communities.

Finally, Jenny Owen considers whether Aberdeen Standard’s decision to rebrand to Abrdn is a mistake or a stroke of genius.

Richard Marwood from Royal London Asset Management shares some tips with Dan about where to find income on the UK stock market.

And Laith Khalaf chats to Chris Ford, who runs the Sanlam Artificial Intelligence fund.  They discuss why investing in AI isn’t all about the rise of the robots or tech companies in fact lots of industries are adopting it to make themselves more efficient. 

Joe Bauernfreund from AVI Global Trust joins the show to talk about the attractions of family-run businesses from an investment perspective.

Dan Coatsworth discusses the return of former star fund manager Mark Barnett and he chats with Laith Khalaf about the FTSE 250 index of UK companies hitting a new record high.

Laith also dives into the world of closet trackers, namely funds where managers aren’t really adding much value despite being paid an annual fee.

Finally, Jenny Owen talks about a surreal money-related story involving beer and robots.

Tom Selby explains what you need to look out for if you’re planning to take a tax free sum from your pension pot and Tom Sieber gives his tips on how to spring clean your portfolio. 

Jessica Ayres, a financial adviser with Timothy James & Partners Explains why women in particular need to get to grips with their finances if it looks like divorce is on the cards. 

And Jenny Owen’s back with tips on turning your old toys into significant amounts of cash.

Temple Bar Investment Trust fund manager Ian Lance discusses why Royal Mail’s shares have soared since November and why he’s backing BP despite growing investor opposition to oil producers.

Tom Selby answers a listener’s question on pensions, and he talks to Iona Bain about how she is helping younger people to better understand investing.

The podcast also looks at ways to claim money for working from home and Jenny Owen explains why certain pandemic-era memorabilia could be worth a lot of money in the future.

The podcast also chats about what a change in manager means for investors in popular investment trust Scottish Mortgage, and why the regulator is concerned about young investors not understanding the risks of buying shares and cryptocurrencies.

[4.03] What is an ISA?

[8.30] Tax benefits of ISAs

[12.45] Using an ISA to get on the housing ladder

[15.20] When to use a Cash ISA or a Stocks & Shares ISA

[18.20] Top ISA tips

[20.45] Most popular stocks, funds and investment trusts held in an ISA

[26.40] Using an ISA to invest for children

[29.30] Listener questions about ISAs

[40.00] Strange money story of the week