AJ Bell Money & Markets

Outlook for stocks, changes to contactless cards, and the rise of thematic funds

AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould explains why US stocks are riding high after an important meeting of central bankers, and what could move markets going forward.

Dan Coatsworth examines UK stocks that have done well this summer and discusses the latest news on WH Smith and Blue Prism.

Laura Suter chats about the dangers of freely tapping your debit card in pubs and shops, and she debates why Britain faces a £371 billion savings shortfall.

There is also a section on thematic funds including the launch of a new product that provides exposure to companies helping to make people’s lives healthier.

Bitcoin bandwagon, billion-pound bids and bumper pensioner payrises

On this week’s episode Laith Khalaf looks at rumours of a £7bn bid for another supermarket and what’s behind the sell-off in mining stocks, as well as giving an update on the latest supply chain issues hitting companies.

We will also be talking about how PayPal has jumped on the cryptocurrency bandwagon and Laura Suter will be looking at whether the stamp duty holiday really was the reason behind soaring house prices so far this year. We’ve got Georgia Stewart at Tumelo talking about how investors can assess what’s in their fund portfolios from an ESG point of view and how to hold fund managers to account.

Plus, Tom Selby is on to talk about the bumper 9% payrise pensioners could be getting next year – and how young people feel about that prospect, while Jenny Owen reveals how one item lying around in your car glove box could land you a £1,600 windfall.

Defence sector sees M&A action, rising prices impact retailers and warnings about “Smishing” fraud

This week’s podcast looks into bids for two defence giants which are attracting government attention.  Private equity owned Cobham targets Ultra Electronics and US based Transdigm’s been told to put up or shut up when it comes to its interest in Meggit. Tom Sieber’s in the hotseat to talk about the FTSE 250 as many of the firms being targeted for takeover are mid-caps which may make financing deals easier for firms doing the buying. 

With retail the main focus for US markets this week as a whole host of big retailers report their latest earnings, Danni Hewson has been picking through some of the winners and losers.  She’s also been chatting to Catherine Shuttleworth, CEO of Savvy Marketing about the state of retail in the UK and how shipping snarl ups and rising costs could impact the sector in the run up to Christmas.

Plus, fraudsters focus on “smishing” – text message scams aimed at getting you to share your financial details.  We chat about what to look out for and how to avoid getting stung.  Plus Jenny Owen’s got wedding fever and explains how old cake is pulling in big money.

Takeover fever, an inflation warning for cash savers and tips for the DIY investor from AJ Bell’s big boss

This week’s podcast takes a look at some of the skirmishes underway to snap up UK companies including Big Tobacco’s bid to get in on the wellness trade. 

Laura Suter checks out the latest US inflation figures and gives cash savers tips on how to beat the inflationary heat.

Dan Coatsworth chats to AJ Bell Chief Executive Andy Bell about investing for the first time and his tips for young risk takers.  We’ve also got copies of his new book to giveaway.

Plus, Danni Hewson and Jenny Owen on the surge in used car sales and the Mona Lisa of stamps.

The fund manager who got out before China sell-off, a defence company with a hidden jewel, and the junior bankers’ struggle for a big payday

This week’s podcast features Simon Edelsten from Mid Wynd Investment Trust on the sell-off in Chinese shares and why he decided to dump most of his Chinese holdings earlier this year.

Dan Coatsworth explores how the FTSE 250 index of UK companies is trading at a new record high, and he dives into the latest results from Greggs and Domino’s Pizza.

Stuart Widdowson from Odyssean Investment Trust talks about a fascinating company in the defence sector which is doing something very smart that a lot of people haven’t cottoned on to.

Laura Suter is back on the podcast and she talks about junior bankers being forced to work long hours in the pursuit of big paydays. She also reveals the serious amount of cash stuffed down the back of people’s sofas

Finally, Jenny Owen talks about film-related memorabilia that’s worth a lot of money. So, if you’ve got some Ghostbusters or Star Trek stuff in the attic, don’t miss this podcast.

Tech giants, China’s regulatory muscle flex and the best way to save for kids.

This week podcast looks at why some astonishing earnings figures from three American tech giants hasn’t delighted all investors and Dan Coatsworth digs into huge market falls in shares of Chinese companies listed on US markets and asks if Beijing has more muscles to flex and how that could impact investors.

Danni Hewson chats to Ged Futter from the retail consultancy GSCOP about rising prices and how companies like Reckit Benckiser will be looking to pass those onto consumers, plus he gives us his take on the deal on the table for Morrisons which hasn’t gone down well with the supermarket’s biggest shareholder.

We hear from Tom Wildgoose from Nomura about investing in Google and $13 billion dialysis group DaVita and Tom Selby is back with another pensions corner. This week’s listener question is focused on the best way to build up a savings pot for your children.

Stagflation haunts the markets, the outlook for gold, lasting power of attorney overhaul and Olympics treasures

This week’s podcast explains the reasons why stock markets have taken another hit.

Dan Coatsworth debates the perils of stagflation, the companies with supply chain disruption and margin pressures, and why strong Q2 numbers may not be enough to push up share prices.

We may be enjoying the summer sun, but Danni Hewson explains why you might need to plan ahead with your Christmas Day meal.

Nitesh Shah from WisdomTree joins the show to chat about why the gold price isn’t behaving as one might expect, and Dan talks to Mark Manduca from XPO Logistics about the challenges facing companies as they seek to move goods from A to B.

Lisa Webster from AJ Bell explains new plans to overhaul the power of attorney system, while Danni looks at the latest issues facing women’s state pension campaigners.

Finally, Jenny Owen looks at the Olympics memorabilia that sells for thousands of pounds.

Big wobbles, big banks and ten years of Lifestrategy funds

This week podcast looks at what was behind the recent global market slump and how rising inflation on both sides of the Atlantic might change the game going forward.  Danni Hewson assess whether the mask wearing conundrum might have a detrimental impact on retail and hospitality businesses and we also dig into how so-called “Freedom Day” has been impacting share prices across the board.

It’s earning season the sequel and big banks are, as ever, amongst the first to report and whilst earnings growth reported so far has been stellar as expected some US banks have seen big falls in revenues.  Meanwhile with the Bank of England has given the green light to UK banks to start paying out dividends once again we look at how well the sector has coped now economic recovery is underway.

Laith Khalaf is back to talk us through those Lifestrategy funds and finding out why they’ve performed so well over the last decade and what the next years might have in store. Plus, Dan Coatsworth chats to Kartik Kumar, the man behind investment trust Artemis Alpha about how he chooses which stocks to invest in and getting the low down on two that he’s particularly interested in right now.

Property special: housing market frenzy, top mortgage deals, Tritax’s warehouse boom and the future of property funds

This week we have a special edition of the Money & Markets podcast looking at the world of property.

Danni Hewson talks to consultant Alex Goldstein about the explosion in house prices, and Laith Khalaf asks David Hollingworth from London & Country for tips on getting a mortgage.

Dan Coatsworth interviews James Dunlop from Tritax on why warehouses have become prime real estate thanks to the surge in online shopping.

Ryan Hughes dives into the world of property funds and explains why recent fund suspensions don’t spell the end of investing in this space.

The podcast also debates why Morrisons has become a major takeover target and why oil prices are trading at their highest levels since 2014.

Green list but no green light for travel, pension nudges and your pot, plus are bonds in or out of fashion.

This week’s podcast assesses why the green list isn’t a green light for travel and looks at the impact of Joe Biden’s big infrastructure deal on markets.  Tom Selby checks out why government nudges to get more people getting guidance on their pensions could impact people accessing or transferring their pots.

With equities still flying high bonds have been feeling unloved but are they really out of favour with investors?  Dan Coatsworth has been talking to Rhys Davies from Invesco about whether they’re still a good bet for a long-term investment portfolio.

As the FCA bans crypto firm Binance from carrying out regulated activities in the UK we catch up with Ruffer investment director Duncan MacInnes to get his take on investing in Bitcoin.

And is taking out life insurance really a “pact with death”? We chat through some comments made on social media that’s got some people rather hot under the collar and ask what should people consider before buying a policy.