Need to Know Investment Podcast

In yet another big week for markets, Sarah Muir and David Broomfield consider current volatility. How much is down to sentiment and how much is due to hard data? And as Germany announces its biggest fiscal package since reunification, can releasing the debt brake jump start Germany's stagnating economic growth? Plus, how activist investors are positively influencing the outlook for Japanese equities.

March may only be a week old but there are plenty of topics to discuss in this week's episode. Sarah Muir and David Broomfield discuss the announcement of the US Crypto Reserve and what it means for the asset class as a whole. Plus what's behind recent growth jitters, and sticky inflation and the pathway for interest rate cuts.This week's quick fire numbers are 500 and 3.

This week Sarah Muir and David Broomfield head over the Europe. What's behind the recent strong performance of European equities and how sustainable is it? And as coalition negotiations commence, what does the future hold for the region's main economic motor, Germany?This week's quick fire numbers are 50,000 km and 105 billion.

As President Trump marks his first month back in the White House, Sarah Muir and David Broomfield look at how rising geopolitical tensions combined with announcements on tariffs and deregulation have impacted markets. What does an unpredictable policy environment mean for investors over the short and medium. term?This week's quick fire numbers are 98% and £46.1 millionRead David's latest article on Trump here.

Sarah Muir and David Broomfield are joined by US equity expert Howard Sparks for a look at interactive entertainment. With the number of gamers growing every day, it's an industry that commands attention from investors. But it's also an industry that faces challenges and opportunities presented by AI and tariffs. In this episode we explore what investors need to know about interactive entertainment.This week's quick fire numbers are 2.6 billion, 500,000 and 19,000.

Sarah Muir is joined by Coutts Real Estate Director, Kitty O'Shea for a look at the London property market. How have plans to abolish non-domicile tax status impacted super prime property prices and which postcodes are proving the most attractive for the capital's house hunters? Check out Coutts London Prime Property Index for everything you need to know.

Sarah Muir and David Broomfield consider the broader impacts of the AI advances announced by DeepSeek. Is this all bad news for US tech giants or could it result in a broadening out of the AI revolution? Plus, a week on from the inauguration of President Trump, are we seeing talk of tariffs and energy deregulation having an impact on markets? This week's quick fire numbers are 560 billion and 200.

Sarah Muir and David Broomfield consider equity-bond correlation. Why do these normally inversely correlated assets sometimes move in lock step and what does that mean for the future of the 60:40 portfolio?

Sarah Muir and David Broomfield look at the recent rout in bond markets. What's driving the global trend in rising yields? Why is term premia so important and what impact do rising yields have on the attractiveness of other asset classes? This week's quick fire numbers are 10%V and 1.3 million.

For the first episode of 2025 join Sarah Muir and David Broomfield as they delve into the key factors poised to influence global markets this year. Explore the evolving AI narrative, the shifting dynamics of the Chinese economy and the potential economic ramifications of the new US president's policies. Listen for expert insights and strategic analysis to stay ahead in an ever-changing financial landscape.

Sarah Muir and David Broomfield are joined by Amelie Sarrado from Christie's for a look at the state of the art market. What drives investment in art and how does it fare during times of economic uncertainty? Plus, what have been the key themes in 2024 and what can we look forward to in 2025? This week's quick fire numbers round features 242%, 99% and 100.

Sarah Muir and David Broomfield reflect on some of the key themes of this year, from US exceptionalism and elections to sticky inflation. Plus how well is the Trump trade playing out? This week's quick fire numbers round features 1,618,840,606 and 37%.

Sarah Muir and David Broomfield consider the impact on bond markets of the impasse in the French parliament. Plus, what do bananas and bitcoin have in common? And as Christmas approaches, do Santa rallies really exist? Last but not least, thoughts on the market impact of recent events in South Korea. Plus this week's quick fire numbers round features 1962 and 1951.

Sarah Muir and David Broomfield look at what lies behind the recent uptick in inflation. How much is down to tariff concerns and when do we think central banks can claim mission accomplished? To see how markets are pricing in higher inflation for longer, check out this chart. Plus this week's quick fire numbers round features 40% and £993,816.

Sarah Muir and David Broomfield are joined by Chris Tilley from Coutts Private Markets Team for analysis of Rachel Reeves' maiden Mansion House Speech. Are pension mega funds the key to unleashing growth in the UK and what might this mean for private markets? Plus this week's quick fire numbers round features 19 million, 5 and 2,000.

As Bitcoin hits new highs, Sarah Muir and David Broomfield turn their attention to cryptocurrencies. Does crypto really stack up as an alternative to fiat currencies or more traditional asset classes? Plus, the future for cryptos and other uses of blockchain technology. And this week's quick-fire numbers round features 60 million and 21 million.

Sarah Muir and David Broomfield discuss this week's US election result. What the exit polls tell us about what really matters for voters and why there's a disconnect between voter and central banker perceptions of inflation. Plus this week's quick fire numbers round features 131 and 1893, proving that great minds think alike...

Sarah Muir and Irene Wolstenholme, Head of Wealth Structuring at Coutts, reflect on the autumn budget including changes to National Insurance Contributions, Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Stamp Duty Land Tax. Plus this week's quick fire numbers are 4 and 3/4 and 45.

Sarah Muir and David Broomfield look at global debt levels. What level is sustainable and how do high levels of public debt affect bond and equity markets? Plus this week's quick-fire numbers are 5:2 and one billion.

Sarah Muir and David Broomfield look at why tariffs are proving to be important for the US Presidential election campaign and their impact on the economy. And with such a closely-fought election, how much do investment returns depend on the party in power. What could happen if there's a contested result. Plus, this week's quick fire numbers round features 67 and 8.

As the conflict in the Middle East escalates, Sarah Muir and David Broomfield consider the economic impact of geopolitics on the immediate region as well as global markets. Plus, will China's super stimulus package be sufficient to reboot the Chinese economy? And not forgetting this week's quick fire numbers round, which features 90 and 33.

Sarah Muir and David Broomfield return to the subject of AI for this week's podcast with a look at the challenges faced by the technology. Plus, what lies behind the recent spike in energy R&D and trends in the labour market - why are companies holding on to staff? And last but not least, this week's quick-fire numbers are 3.5 and 45.

As we enter an interest rate cutting cycle, how has the Fed's rate hiking cycle impacted Emerging Market economies? Plus, what's stopping China from replacing the USA as the world's biggest economy?

In the wake of Mario Draghi's EU competitiveness report, Sarah Muir and David Broomfield look at what's required to ensure the European economy keeps pace with the US and China. Plus, the unique challenges faced by the ECB.

Sarah Muir and David Broomfield discuss why the USA continues to be the most important region from a macroeconimic perspective - why it's still the world's largest economy and will it ever be usurped by China? Plus could we see the demise of the USD as the world's reserve currency?

Sarah Muir and David Broomfield cast a keen eye over Jackson Hole. From the history of the central bankers' summit to what we've learned from this year's symposium. Plus, should we even care about central banks' policies?

Sarah Muir is joined by Monique Wong and Joe Aylott for a the latest on markets. As we head into the final months of the year, what does the macroeconomic backdrop look like? Plus, thoughts on US Federal Reserve policy. And in the wake of recent market volatility, what history tells us about what happens to markets after they've 'fallen out of bed'.

Sarah Muir and David Broomfield look at some of the more esoteric investment strategies that may have impacted recent market volatility. From carry and dispersion trades to covered call ETFs - the risks when investors become complacent and how these strategies can react when volatility spikes.

Sarah Muir and David Broomfield look at what's behind current market volatility. From US jobs data to earnings, how much is the current sell-off caused by fundamentals? What part do technical factors, like the much-talked-about 'carry trade' play in current volatility? Plus, thoughts on the reliability of the 'Sahm Rule".

Sarah Muir and David Broomfield look under the bonnet of sovereign wealth funds. With huge levels of capital to deploy, what impact do SWFs have on markets and how transparent is their management?

As sports fans turn their attention to Paris and the Olympic Games, Sarah Muir and David Broomfield consider how much this global sporting event might impact the host city's economy. Does success in the medals table translate into stock market returns?

Sarah Muir is joined by David Broomfield and Howard Sparks for a look at investing styles. Buying cheap, good or trending stocks can be tricky but does one investing style outperform the others?

Sarah Muir is joined by David Broomfield and Coutts CIO Fahad Kamal for a look at Thursday's election result. What does a Labour government mean for markets and how might it influence our approach to investing? For more on the result from an investment perspective, go to Coutts.com

Sarah Muir and David Broomfield look at how an increase in state intervention in economies might impact markets.

Sarah Muir and David Broomfield look at the impact of elections on market returns and why where we are in the business cycle is often more important for investors than who wins at the polls.

For a special extended episode of Need to Know, Sarah Muir met up with Simon Kidston, founder of Kidston, to discuss the pros and cons of investing in classic cars.

Sarah Muir and Kitty O'Shea, director of Coutts Real Estate Investment team, take a look at the London Prime Property market and the three things you need to know about buying a home in the capital. Read Coutts London Prime Property Index

Sarah Muir and David Broomfield discuss three things that might be standing in the way of the AI revolution.

Sarah Muir and David Broomfield are joined by Coutts Investment Strategist Joe Aylott for a look at gold - from its history as a store of value to what's behind the current price spike.

Sarah Muir and David Broomfield are joined by top sommelier Tim Ellison for a deep dive into the world of investing in wine. They discuss how the great vintages fare against other alternative assets and current market trends, and how climate change could impact traditional wine-producing regions.

Sarah Muir and Irene Wolstenholme look at the three things you need to know about proposed changes to the taxation of those with resident non-domiciled status – or ‘non-doms'.

Sarah Muir is joined by David Broomfield for a look at population mega trends and what they mean for the global economy. They also discuss the recent rise in weight loss drugs, and the surprising impact they could have on companies that tempt us to make food-related impulse purchases.

Sarah Muir and Alan Higgins discuss why central banks may be making fewer rate cuts than originally anticipated. And one year on from the collapse of Credit Suisse, do investors have short memories?

Sarah Muir and Alan Higgins are joined by Coutts Multi Asset Strategist David Broomfield for a look at China. We'll be asking whether its stock market is undervalued and discussing the longer-term outlook. Plus, how does China compare with another emerging market, India?

With the S&P 500 and Nasdaq at all-time highs, are we in bubble territory? Sarah Muir and Alan Higgins discuss such bubbles – their history, definition and whether or not we're seeing one now.

Sarah Muir and Alan Higgins are joined by Amelie Sarrado of Christie's for a look at art as a store of wealth. From recent trends in art markets, and the outlook for the coming decade, to why buying art should be passion first, investment second.

Sarah Muir and Alan Higgins are joined by Coutts US equity expert Howard Sparks for a look at earnings season in the US and Europe. Plus, we revisit the debate around active management – is the dominance of a handful of companies really so bad for stock pickers?

This week Sarah Muir and Alan Higgins are joined by James Stringer from Coutts' Trading & Execution team for a look at the shift to T+1 in US markets. Plus – the Magnificent Seven becomes the Famous Five, and the ongoing resilience of the US economy.

Sarah Muir and Alan Higgins are joined by Coutts CIO, Fahad Kamal to look at gold as a diversifier, the outlook for Chinese equities and the formula for valuing commercial property.

This week Sarah Muir and Alan Higgins look at why active managers in the fixed income universe are more likely to beat benchmarks than their equity counterparts. Plus can property hold its value in a higher interest rate environment and the rise of pessimism – how much is priced in to markets?

To coincide with the publication of Coutts Outlook 2024, Sarah Muir and Alan Higgins are joined by Lilian Chovin to talk about the three things on our radar for the year ahead.