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 act...
Feb 03, 2025•52 min•Ep 314•Transcript available on Metacast 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 pers...
Jan 30, 2025•37 min•Ep 313•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Jan 23, 2025•56 min•Ep 312•Transcript available on Metacast 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 borrowi...
Jan 16, 2025•50 min•Ep 311•Transcript available on Metacast 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. Da...
Jan 10, 2025•54 min•Ep 310•Transcript available on Metacast 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 l...
Dec 19, 2024•57 min•Ep 309•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Dec 13, 2024•54 min•Ep 308•Transcript available on Metacast 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 deal...
Dec 05, 2024•49 min•Ep 307•Transcript available on Metacast 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 S...
Dec 02, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep 306•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Nov 29, 2024•52 min•Ep 305•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Coatswort...
Nov 22, 2024•47 min•Ep 304•Transcript available on Metacast 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 fuelled 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 infl...
Nov 15, 2024•58 min•Ep 303•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Nov 08, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep 302•Transcript available on Metacast 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” Franc...
Nov 04, 2024•53 min•Ep 301•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Oct 30, 2024•23 min•Ep 300•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Oct 25, 2024•45 min•Ep 299•Transcript available on Metacast 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 o...
Oct 18, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep 298•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Oct 11, 2024•55 min•Ep 297•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Wint...
Oct 07, 2024•55 min•Ep 296•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ab...
Oct 04, 2024•56 min•Ep 295•Transcript available on Metacast 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 kn...
Sep 27, 2024•54 min•Ep 294•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ma...
Sep 19, 2024•47 min•Ep 293•Transcript available on Metacast 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 th...
Sep 13, 2024•49 min•Ep 292•Transcript available on Metacast 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 interes...
Sep 06, 2024•45 min•Ep 291•Transcript available on Metacast 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 podc...
Sep 02, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep 290•Transcript available on Metacast 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 s...
Jul 26, 2024•57 min•Ep 289•Transcript available on Metacast 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 wha...
Jul 18, 2024•38 min•Ep 288•Transcript available on Metacast 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 compani...
Jul 12, 2024•42 min•Ep 287•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Jul 05, 2024•52 min•Ep 286•Transcript available on Metacast 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 s...
Jul 01, 2024•48 min•Ep 285•Transcript available on Metacast 
