AJ Bell Money & Markets

Investing in weight-loss drugs, and why everyone’s talking about student loans

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast, how financial markets reacted to speculation around the future of Keir Starmer as UK prime minister. [02:00] 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Space X buys Xai, a new boss for Disney and why NS&I premium bonds are so popular

On this week’s episode of the AJ Bell Money and Markets podcast Danni Hewson and Laura Suter dig into what has been another action-packed week with Space X buying fellow Elon Musk vehicle Xai ahead of the companies anticipated IPO [01:32]. Danni checks out why Anthropic’s new AI tools resulted in a global sell off in companies like Sage, Pearson and Legal Star [06:33]. Disney delivered a crowd-pleasing update, but it was all about the exit of CEO Bob Seager and whether this handover will be smoother than the last [10:16]. Plus, Walmart becomes the first retailer to hit a $1 trillion dollar valuation [13:54] and gold and silver prices fall back after Donald Trump unveils his pick for the Fed [16:43].

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

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

Investment Trust Show: Getting rich from healthcare

Welcome to the monthly bonus episode of the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast all about investment trusts, presented by Dan Coatsworth and Hannah Williford. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gold glitters, rates loom and Ryanair costs rise

Charlene Young and Danni Hewson are your hosts in a week where gold and silver continue to take centre stage, with new data highlighting gold’s status as the ultimate safe haven over the last decade (04:15). Danni runs though the latest business and travel news, including pub business rate relief, Boeing picks up its aircraft deliveries, higher fares at Ryanair and the impact of US storms on airlines (09:15). Attention then turns to the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision and why President Trump’s upcoming pick for the next Fed chair could be just as market-moving (21:15).

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

Buy and sell ratings on stocks: do they ever work?

This episode of the AJ Money & Markets podcast explores the world of shares, pensions, property, wills, and much more. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Deep Dive #7: How to invest if you're afraid of Market crashes?

In this deep dive episode, Laith Khalaf and Tom Sieber dig into the world of cautious investing, and ask how you can invest if you’re afraid of stockmarket crashes.

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

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

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

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

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

Record market highs, Scottish Budget changes, ISA rumours and our Rightmove obsession

On this week’s AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast, Charlene Young and Laura Suter take a detailed look at the stories shaping markets and personal finance. Tom Sieber joins the show to explain why global markets, including Japan’s Nikkei and gold, are hitting record highs [03:55]. And shares the latest results from Whitbread. [01:00] We then explore the Scottish Budget announcements, discussing the changes that matter for investors in Scotland and how they could have wider implications across the UK. [11:52] Next, we cover the latest cash ISA rumours and what potential changes could mean for savers. [16:57]  

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

The FTSE 100 passes 10,000 and is 2026 the year of the Mega IPO

On this week’s episode of the AJ Bell Money and Markets podcast Dan Coatsworth and Danni Hewson discuss what’s powering markets, including the FTSE 100, to record highs [3:00]. They consider what US action in Venezuela might mean for markets, and particularly US oil companies like Chevron and the global oil price [7:15].  They discuss at which sectors that did particularly well in 2025 like gold, silver [15:00] , defence stocks like Rheinmetall and BAE Systems [17:00] and Nvidia’s AI domination as it unveils self-driving tech. [19:30]

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

Investment Trust Show: What 2026 might hold for tech and is private equity worth a spot in your portfolio?

We’re kicking off the New Year with the latest bonus episode of the AJ Bell Money & Markets all about investment trusts. To kick things off, Hannah Williford speaks to QuotedData’s James Carthew about a merger proposal gone wrong. [02:28] 

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

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

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

Stock market winners and losers of the year, and investing in a market downturn

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast, discover problems on the high street for one well-known retailer [01:33], and why the UK cinema industry is hoping for a last-minute flurry of bookings in 2025 [03:15].

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

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

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

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

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