AJ Bell Money & Markets

Danni Hewson and Dan Coatsworth go deep into the world of tariffs on this week's episode of the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast. They'll discuss the latest movements, the latest industries in the firing line, and what companies are now saying about the impact of tariffs on earnings and their outlook. [4:20] 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] Sign up for AJ Bell's free webinar on 13 May all about the benefits of combining pensions: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7930137902340775776

Get the latest on takeovers, wind-downs and manager changes in the world of investment trusts on this month's special edition of the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast. [1:25]. 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]

This week's episode of the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast starts with some positive news for investors who managed to hold their nerve through the Liberation Day sell-off [01:32]. But Dan Coatsworth also has a stream of gloomy corporate updates from big firms cutting earnings guidance, seeing sales hit by tariffs, or just feeling the pinch as American consumers tighten their purse strings [05:39].  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].

In this week's AJ Bell Money and Markets podcast, Charlene Young and Laura Suter break down the latest headlines affecting your finances and investments.  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). 

On this week's episode of the AJ Bell Money and Markets Danni Hewson and Tom Sieber from Shares magazine dig into what has been another ridiculously busy week for markets.  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]

It's ten years since George Osborne introduced his landmark private pension reforms, known as the ‘pension freedoms'. In this AJ Bell Money and Markets Deep Dive, we explore whether the pension freedoms have been a success and how you can make the most of them with your pension.   (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.

It's been an eventful week and this episode of the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast explores the key reasons behind the global market sell-off and what might happen next. Dan Coatsworth explains why shares slumped and he reveals the total value destroyed on global stock markets and the winners and losers on the FTSE 100. Laith Khalaf reveals why bond markets were showing unusual behaviour and the pair chat about why some companies like Games Workshop and Diageo might not be as badly affected as investors think. [02:50] 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].

Ever wondered exactly who invests in investment trusts? The AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast has the answer on this week's episode. [01:13] 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]

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money and Markets podcast Danni Hewson and Charlene Young discuss what has been a volatile first quarter for markets [1:55] as companies and investors try to navigate Donald Trump's tariffs. The pair discuss which sectors have borne the brunt so far and how the UK could be impacted. With Awful April [13:20] in full spring Charlene runs through the bills that have jumped up and considers what that might do for inflation and interest rates.  Danni picks through some eye-catching market news with [17:18] Conservative US TV network Newsmax jumping more than 2,000% after its IPO and a potential bid for UK's Alphawave as Qualcomm looks to boost its AI chops and with US markets under pressure and investors looking for ways to diversify, we hear from Emily Fletcher, portfolio manager of Black Rock Frontiers Investment Trust [22:34]. 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]

This week's AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast takes a closer look at the key items from Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her Spring Statement. 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.

In the second instalment of our Deep Dive series, AJ Bell Money & Markets explores Artificial Intelligence, one of the biggest technological advancements of our era which threatens to change the world we live in, and which has already created a huge amount of value in financial markets.  (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. 

In this week's episode we bring you up to date on the latest US and UK interest rate decisions.(00:14) 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)

If you're trying to understand the turmoil on the markets, don't miss this week's episode of the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast. Dan Coatsworth explains what's going on, what might happen next, and how to keep your cool. [01:13] 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]

On this episode of the AJ Bell money and markets podcast Dan Coatsworth and Danni Hewson assess the impact on markets after Donald Trump brought in 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada. Is a global trade war inevitable and have investors been caught on the hop because of the President's unpredictability or is it a storm set to fizzle out. [02:10]  As the global order shifts European countries are expected to spend more on defence which helped lift the FTSE 100 to a record high earlier in the week, the team from Shares magazine deliver a deep dive into company making gains, BAE Systems. [13:30] 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]

Dan Coatsworth explores some of the best and worst performing trusts so far this year and what this tells us about investor appetite towards certain parts of the market. [01:15] 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]

This week on the AJ Bell Money and Markets podcast, Danni Hewson and Laura Suter dive into the latest market news, including Apple's big investment plans [01:19] and BP's plans to roll back it's green investment after pressure from an activist investor [09:13]. We also look at why Tesla shares are under pressure [04:39] and discuss Unilever's CEO stepping down after less than two years [14:30]. 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].

In this week's episode, Charlene Young and Laith Khalaf mull over the latest numbers from the UK banking sector after Barclays, NatWest and HSBC have posted their full year results. [1:30] 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]

Welcome to the first episode of the AJ Bell Money & Markets Deep Dive podcast. This is a new series which will take a long look at some of the key issues in markets and personal finances. First up we'll be diving into a subject which will affect almost everyone – taxes. Personal taxes are on the rise and we'll be looking at some of the main ways you can save tax on your savings and investments. 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]

In this week's episode, Charlene Young and Danni Hewson look at what's happened since the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee cut the base rate to 4.5% last Thursday. Expectations for a cut were high so has the reaction from markets and mortgage lenders been unsurprising too? [01:30]  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] 

Welcome to the latest episode of the AJ Bell Monet & Markets podcast. 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]

Investment trusts have been all over the news as activist investor Saba targets seven companies with the hope of gaining control and becoming the investment manager. Herald (HRI) shareholders have already voted Saba down and we're about to find out the fate of the other six investment trusts. Laith Khalaf brings us up to speed on the key events. [01:32] 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]

In this week's episode, Dan Coatsworth and Laura Suter discuss the recent selloff in US tech stocks, and what sparked the market turmoil [01:32]. They also look at WHSmith's potential sale of its UK business [06:27], and Diageo denying rumours about selling Guinness [09:17].  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]. 

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast, Dan Coatsworth is joined by AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould to discuss how markets reacted to Donald Trump's return to the White House [00:02:14]. From halting the TikTok ban to confusion about the President's plans for tariffs, it's already been a wild ride. 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].

The AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast team start this week's episode with some good news as UK inflation took a surprise dip in December to 2.5%. Does this mean the chances of a February rate cut have jumped? Rachel Reeves has fought back in a Commons speech to defend her growth plans and although UK housebuilders have had a boost, other big companies continue to issue their own warnings. [01:02] 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]

On this week's AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast, we dive into a story about seven investment trusts under attack from an activist investor. The big retail companies have started to report on Christmas trading and not everyone is smiling about the outlook. You can also hear about the changing cost of keeping the lights on at home and why the Lifetime ISA is under review. 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]

On the last AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast of 2024, Dan Coatsworth and Danni Hewson discuss what markets are now thinking about the trajectory for interest rate cuts in 2025 after the Federal Reserve's latest comments. [03:47] 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]

This week's episode of the Money & Markets podcast explores the cost of putting food and drink on the table at Christmas, how supermarkets are coping in the festive season, and why higher cocoa prices could lead to a marriage of two chocolate giants. We talk to experts about big UK stocks and how Donald Trump's return to the White House could impact green policies. You can also hear about changes to the FTSE 100, why the car finance scandal could be bigger than previous expected, and what's going on with UK rental charges. 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]

On this week's AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast: the US-focused fund manager with a market-beating performance over the past 12 months and where he sees markets going next Stateside. The team talk ChatGPT and why car insurance should get cheaper next year. You can also hear about the challenges facing automotive companies, an expert on UK shares and big changes to Premium Bonds. 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]

On this month's bonus podcast focusing on investment trusts, the AJ Bell Money & Markets team dig into star performers, US trusts and global small caps. 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]

This week's episode of the AJ Bell Money and Markets podcast looks at the challenges being faced by global automakers. (01:31) In the UK the speed of the transition to net zero and fines for not meeting targets has been cited as one reason behind Stellantis' decision to close its factory in Luton. The government has said it will consult on the phase out as Ford's UK boss calls for incentives for motorists. (06:42) Danni Hewson explains how Donald Trump's threat to introduce tariffs on day one of his presidency is likely to hit the auto sector particularly hard including US firms like General Motors which has a huge manufacturing hub in Mexico. 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)

This week's episode of the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast compares challenges in the UK and US retail sectors, examines Nvidia's latest results and talks about why so few of us are using cash day-to-day. We've also got interviews with AJ Bell's CEO and an Asia-focused fund manager who hates China. 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]

On this week's episode, Charlene Young and Laith Khalaf talk you through the impact on business of rising National Insurance and minimum wage bills. Plus labour market data for the period to September showed us the gloomy reality for businesses before the Budget as stalling investment and hiring plans fueled rising redundancies and unemployment. 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'. 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. To continue our US theme, Laith looks at how some of those early “Trump Trades” have fared in the last week as the Trump starts to appoint his trusted team with some familiar names. 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. It's also looking like a record year for flows into Exchange Traded Funds. What are ETFs are what has made them so popular? On the other side of the coin, we look at outflows from Fundsmith Equity and why first-time buyers might find the frozen Lifetime ISA property limit locks them out of their dream family home.

On this week's episode of the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast, Danni Hewson and Charlene Young assess the market reaction to Donald Trump winning the US presidential election and heading back to the White House. 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.

This month's bonus podcast from the AJ Bell Money & Markets team on investment trusts explores the underperformance at the UK's biggest investment Trust, Scottish Mortgage, and looks at why investors are becoming less enthused with ESG. 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.

The AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast team react to Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Budget, explaining how the new rules affect consumers and businesses. 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.

On this episode of the AJ Bell money and markets podcast Danni Hewson is joined by Shares Magazine editor Tom Sieber to pick through the most interesting points of this earnings season so far.  From the re-jig of the menu at Starbucks from the new man in charge as sales keep falling to a Netflix subscription slowdown, Tesla's return to better form and in the UK Hollywood Bowl's mega strike.  Mike Asheley set's his sites on running Boohoo and Boeing's back on the back foot after employees rejected another improved pay deal. 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.

On this week's AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast, Danni Hewson and Charlene Young assess the market reaction to a large fall in UK inflation which has raised expectations that the Bank of England might cut rates twice before the end of the year.   They're joined by Tom Selby, AJ Bell's director of public policy, to discuss ongoing Budget speculation which has unsettled many pension savers and prompted AJ Bell to call on the Treasury to commit to a pension tax lock.   They also discuss the impact of Budget speculation on markets with housebuilders like Barratt up and gambling companies like Entain down.   Dan Coatsworth talks to Ailsa Craig and Marek Poszepczynski from the International Biotechnology Trust about what we might see next for the weight-loss drug boom. Dan also chat to Nick Purves from Temple Bar Investment Trust about finding opportunities when parts of the market look cheap.   You can also hear why automakers Stellantis and BMW have warned policy makers they need to think again about the pace of the transition to electric vehicles if they're going to protect manufacturing jobs and why Boeing is looking to raise funds to help it keep its head above water.

On this week's episode of the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast Danni Hewson and Laith Khalaf discuss if Google could really be broken up. It's something the US government has asked a court to consider over concerns over its dominance of the search space. 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.

This month's bonus podcast from the AJ Bell Money & Markets team on investment trusts explores two different ways to add a flavour of private equity to ISAs and pensions. 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.

This week's episode of the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast discusses scams and how banks and big tech companies are working together to protect consumers and stop people losing money. 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.

On this week's episode of the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast: Dan Coatsworth looks at the market reaction to China's stimulus package to boost growth and a six-times earnings mortgage announcement from Nationwide.  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! 

On this week's episode of the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast: interest rates have dominated the news agenda so Danni Hewson unpacks what the big rate cuts in the US mean for investors around the world. 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.

This week's AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast debates big news for people in retirement. Charlene Young reveals by how much the state pension will rise and who is eligible for the full uplift. 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.

The AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast is back with a bumper episode looking at the market wobbles at the beginning of August and September amid fears about the strength of the US economy and a slowing of Nvidia's AI growth story. 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.

Lots of investors are increasingly turning to cheap tracker funds which means the pressure is on investment trusts to not only outperform the market and prove their worth, but also make their charges more competitive. Dan Coatsworth talks to Annabel Brodie-Smith from the Association of Investment Companies about this topic and to find out which trusts have the highest and lowest costs for investors. 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.

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast, Danni Hewson and Charlene Young dig into the market meltdown that followed disappointing results from ‘Magnificent Seven' club members Tesla and Alphabet. 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.

With gold have just hit a new record high, don't miss this week's episode of the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast where Dan Coatsworth talks to Rob Crayfourd from the Golden Prospect Precious Metals Fund. The pair discuss gold's ascent and why there might be a big turning point for the gold mining sector on the horizon. 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.

In this episode of the AJ Bell Money and Markets podcast, Laura Suter and Tom Sieber dive into the latest consumer spending trends from Barclays, revealing how economic pressures are shaping our financial habits, and they discover how saving money can improve your sleep and mental health. 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.

On this week's episode of the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast Dan Coatsworth and Laura Suter assess the market reaction to a Labour landslide.  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.

This month's bonus podcast on investment trusts dives into the world of technology. Steve Frazer chats with Mike Seidenberg from Allianz Technology Trust about the latest trends in the space, the hype around AI including Nvidia, and what's on the fund manager's mind at the moment.  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.  

This week's AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast goes big on pensions. Charlene Young, Tom Selby and Laith Khalaf discuss some of the key issues you need to understand, whatever age you are. 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.