AJ Bell Money & Markets

Political turmoil is shaking the UK as the nation awaits a new prime minister. Danni Hewson and Dan Coatsworth break down what an Andy Burnham victory could mean for markets, your investments and your money – plus the potential next Chancellor.

We also cover falling oil prices, tech stock volatility, SpaceX’s wild IPO ride, and big moves from takeover target EasyJet.

In personal finance, Rachel Vahey explains major tax-related changes to ISAs and plans for a new First Time Buyer ISA, while Ruffer’s Ian Rees joins us to debate whether the classic 60/40 portfolio still works.

Burnham PM? Markets, chancellor contenders & your money [0:01:36]
Oil plunges as US–Iran talks progress [0:12:31]
Tech stocks hit – should you worry? [0:15:43]
SpaceX IPO chaos: shares swing wildly [0:20:33]
EasyJet rejects takeover bid [0:25:31]
Cash ISA changes explained [0:30:46]
New ISA for first-time buyers? [0:35:05]
Is 60/40 dead? Ruffer's Ian Rees weighs in [0:38:08]
Heatwave winners and losers: who is in the frame? [0:55:08]

In this month's special deep dive podcast, Tom Seiber and Hannah Williford explore how to invest around the world, and where there may be some hidden opportunities. They discuss the pros and cons of active and tracker funds for global exposure. Plus, Hannah speaks to AJ Bell's Paul Angell on what he prioritises when choosing active managers for different regions. 

Martin Gamble joins the duo to reveal his research on how different regions stack up on valuations, and Tom shares where AJ Bell investors are looking most frequently. Finally, Eve Maddock-Jones speaks to John Citron on the challenges and benefits of investing in emerging markets.

Timestamps:

[00:09] Introduction: Tom Sieber and Hannah Williford introduce the episode and explain why overseas investing matters for UK investors. 

[01:43] Global trackers, ETFs and active funds: how UK investors can access overseas markets, compare costs and indices, and understand how managers pick global stocks. 

[12:50] Interview with Paul Angell: the pros and cons of using fund managers who are based in the regions where they invest. 

[25:45] Comparing global markets with Martin Gamble: how different regions stack up on valuations, dividends and the types of companies that dominate each market. 

[31:32] Buying overseas shares directly: market opening hours, dealing access, minimum trade sizes and practical issues for UK investors. 

[39:15] Interview with John Citron: the challenges of managing an emerging markets portfolio across lots of different countries. 

[51:20] Final takeaways: Tom and Hannah recap the key lessons from the episode and wrap up the podcast. 

In this week’s episode of the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast, Charlene Young and Danni Hewson unpack the latest developments in the Middle East and what they mean for markets, oil prices and your everyday finances. They also dive into fresh UK inflation figures and what they could mean for interest rates in the second half of 2026.

Danni takes a closer look at the blockbuster SpaceX IPO and why investors are piling in, Charlene runs through some eye-catching ‘trillionaire maths’ and reflects on 10 years since the Brexit vote. There’s a warning for motorists over the cost of spreading car insurance payments and Danni sits down with JP Morgan to find out what’s happening on the ground in Korea and other emerging markets. Plus, we bring you a teaser of a special series of video chats with Bill Ackman, CEO of Pershing Square.

 

[00:08] Intro

[01:26] Middle East impact on markets and oil

[06:30] UK inflation update and interest rate expectations

[16:42] Pizza Hut sale

[22:04] SpaceX IPO review

[36:07] Bill Ackman

[37:57] Brexit vote – 10 years on

[42:34] Which? warning on car insurance

[45:28] Interview – Emily Whiting, investment specialist at JP Morgan

In this week's episode, Tom Sieber and Charlene Young digest the latest market developments from both sides of the Atlantic, with the company behind ChatGPT unveiling IPO plans, GSK unveiling its biggest deal in a decade and a UK market stalwart getting snapped up. Plus, as the World Cup gets underway, Tom discusses the winners off the pitch.

Charlene talks us through changes to inheritance rules which could affect cohabiting couples and the things people should think about when passing on wealth to family and dependents. Tom reveals what readers of the latest free monthly Shares magazine can expect including the next phase of the AI story and how Netflix is looking to grow after missing out on acquiring Warner Bros.

Finally, Charlene discusses plans to broaden access to mortgages in the UK and what they might mean for the property market and Tom and Charlene discuss some interesting new stats on pocket money.

00:00 Introduction

01:24 Markets: ChatGPT IPO, GSK's biggest deal in a decade & a UK takeover

16:19 Inheritance rules: cohabiting couples & passing on wealth

22:30 Shares magazine: AI's next phase & Netflix's growth plans

26:17 UK mortgage access & pocket money stats

In this week’s episode, Charlene Young is joined by new co-host Sarah Coles alongside Tom Sieber to unpack a busy week across markets, tech and personal finance. With geopolitical tensions continuing to weigh on sentiment, the team looks at whether investors are stuck in a holding pattern or if there are more subtle shifts happening beneath the surface.

There’s also a deep dive into the latest surge in AI excitement, from a major potential Anthropic IPO to huge fundraising moves by Google parent Alphabet, with takeover chatter in sectors like aviation and renewables.

The new Retirement Living Standards are out, showing how inflation is upping the cost of even a modest lifestyle in retirement. Sarah and Charlene also talk about fresh savings and lending data from the Bank of England, and what’s really happening in the UK housing market. The episode concludes with Dan Coatsworth sitting down with Richard Jeffery, executive chair of Reading based firm ActiveOps to find out how AI is central to what they do.

In this episode:

• Market update: geopolitics, oil and investor sentiment [01:46]
• AI boom: Anthropic IPO and Alphabet’s $80bn raise [04:06]
• Company news: EasyJet, Drax and defensive stocks that have disappointed [09:15]
• Retirement Living Standards: how much you really need [13:56]
• Savings & borrowing: latest Bank of England data [29:29]
• Housing market outlook and mortgage trends [31:46]
• Interview: Richard Jeffery, executive chair of ActiveOps [38:25]

This month, the Investment Trust Show focuses in on what makes trusts so unique: from gearing to boards. Hannah Williford and Dan Coatsworth discuss the pros and cons before seeing how they measure up against their sister funds through the numbers. Nick Britton from the Association of Investment Companies joins to explain where the differences emerge.
AJ Bell’s Tom Sieber also steps in to interview Utilico Emerging Markets chair Mark Bridgeman to understand what role a board is really playing. Then, two funds investing in private equity, Seraphim Space Investment Trust and ICG, discuss where opportunity lies off the market, and how Seraphim has grown its share price by over 300% in a year.

00:00 Introduction: What makes investment trusts unique

04:30 What does a trust board actually do? (Tom Sieber & Mark Bridgeman)

19:00 Investment trusts vs funds: Who wins? (Nick Britton, AIC)

33:20 Private equity explained: Inside ICG Enterprise Trust (ICG Colm Walsh)

47:45 Space & defence boom: Seraphim Investment Trust (Mark Bogget)

01:06:45 Outro & key takeaways

Less than a year after joining as BP Chairman Albert Manifold has been removed from the company. What does it mean for BP’s turnaround plans is the question that kicks off this episode of the AJ Bell Money and Markets podcast and Danni Hewson and Tom Sieber assess how investors reacted to the news [02:18]. Concerns over Middle East peace talks has seen choppy trade in oil and the price of energy has been in the spotlight as the UK’s new price cap was announced [07:30]. Temperatures might have soared over the late May bank holiday, but B&Q says a late start to spring dented sales and weak consumer spend also took a chunk out of Pets at Home’s full year profits [13:45] plus Ferrari’s first EV has provoked some extreme reaction on social media [23:28]. On the personal finance front, Rachel Vahey is back with another pensions corner, this time chatting about a worrying report from the Pensions Commission which found 15 million people are under saving for retirement [27:15] plus former PM Rishi Sunak’s warned that 4 in 10 Brits lack basic financial literacy with calls for more education to help people make smart financial choices [38:08]. And our guest interview this week is with Andrew Lapping, chief investment officer at Ranmore Fund Management; he’s spoken to Dan about why he’s still a fan of Greggs [44:33].

Cyber shocks, political ripples and pop-powered spending – it’s another packed week on the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast. Charlene Young and Danni Hewson break down the latest inflation and jobs data, before turning to bond market jitters as political drama heats up.

There’s pressure building for businesses too, as Ryanair flags rising fuel costs, and Marks & Spencer and Jaguar Land Rover lay bare the growing financial toll of cyber attacks. We also dive into the forces reshaping what was formerly the UK high street, with more big banking brands on brink of disappearing completely, and unpack what a potential mansion tax could mean for homeowners.

Plus, two insightful interviews: one exploring how supply chains are becoming a major investment theme, and another on the critical mineral antimony as surging demand drives the reopening of an Australian mine. And to finish, we move from hard economics to headline acts, and look at how Harry Styles’ Wembley run could generate over £1bn in spending, proving the experience economy is alive and well.

[00:00] Introduction

[01:46] Inflation & jobs – what the latest data tells us

[09:35] Gilts, politics & the Makerfield by-election ripple effect

[12:10] Ryanair warns on rising oil prices [

15:26] M&S & JLR – counting the cost of cyber attacks

[21:39] Interview: Supply chains with Jamie Mills O’Brien (Aberdeen)

[34:13] Bank brands that are set to disappear – Halifax rumours & TSB confirmed changes

[36:39] Mansion tax consultation – what’s on the table

[40:44] The £1.1bn Harry Styles effect

[45:07] Interview: Antimony & critical minerals with Ron Heeks (Larvotto Resources)

[54:13] Closing thoughts

In this Deep Dive episode, Tom Sieber and Danni Hewson take a closer look at income investing. Experts from AJ Bell and Jupiter Asset Management join the podcast to discuss common dividend mistakes investors make, the power of compounding and dividend reinvestment, getting income from Asia and how to generate cash through property, infrastructure, and bonds.

00:08 – Introduction: Tom Sieber and Danni Hewson introduce the episode and the evolving world of income.
02:10 – Why people invest for income and the power of compounding.
06:50 – Dividend basics: Tom Sieber explains some of the key points every investor should understand.
09:40 – Danni Hewson looks at share buybacks vs dividends and current UK trends.
17:56 – Tom Sieber then frames the debate around dividend yield vs dividend growth and why you might look for the latter over the former.
23:39 – AJ Bell head of markets Dan Coatsworth joins to talk about common dividend investing mistakes.
30:57 – AJ Bell fund and investment trust writer Eve Maddock-Jones delves into the world of income funds and trusts and the advantages of diversification.
34:45 – Tom talks to Jupiter Asian Income fund manager about why he thinks the region can be a fruitful source of income and growth.
48:34 – Tom explains how you can also derive income from the financial markets through property funds, infrastructure, and bonds.
55:33 – Tom talks to Paul Angell about the role of bonds in an income portfolio.
01:11:36– Tom and Danni wrap up with the key takeaways from the episode including what they’ve learned about income investing.

Join Dan Coatsworth and Charlene Young in the latest edition of the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast. This week, we delve into the impact of politics on financial markets, focusing on UK government bond yields and the concept of 'bond vigilantes'.

Charlene discusses why age 28 is a critical financial year for women, leading to significant pension disparities. We also explore a new report highlighting the risk of pension poverty for 12.2 million UK adults and what can be done to mitigate this issue.

Special guest Sarah Willingham, former Dragon's Den judge and now CEO of bars group Nightcap, shares her insights on the challenges facing the hospitality sector. Plus, we revisit some of the success stories from Dragon's Den.

Dan also talks to Joe Winkley from Winterflood Securities about why retail investors are starting to have greater opportunities to support company growth plans.

Tune in for a comprehensive look at these pressing financial topics and more. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with our latest episodes.

0:09 – Impact of politics on financial markets and the power of ‘bond vigilantes’

12:06 – Greggs goes to Tenerife

14:35 – Age 28: Financial crunch year for women

24:10 – Risk of pension poverty for 12.2 million UK adults

28:23 – Interview with Sarah Willingham from Nightcap

50:59 – Business winners and losers from Dragon’s Den TV show

54:12 – Tom Sieber on the new issue of Shares magazine

56:25 – Opportunities for retail investors to support company fundraisings