AJ Bell Money & Markets

Tesla, Netflix, Premium Bonds, gold prices and tariff turmoil continues

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). 

Tariff turmoil, Tesco warns of price wars and an update on AJ Bell funds

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]

Deep Dive #3: How to make the most of the pension freedoms

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.

Everything investors need to know about the global market sell-off

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].

Investment Trust Show: investing in financials, mining and smaller companies, and how and why trusts borrow money

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]

Tariffs unsettle markets and tax year end tips

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]

Spring Statement special: What Rachel Reeves’ economic plans mean for your money

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.

Deep Dive #2: Artificial Intelligence

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. 

US recession fears mean a Trump slump, UK supermarkets gear up for price wars and gold reaches record highs

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)

Surviving the market turmoil, how to get the most from an ISA, Alliance Witan’s debut results

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]