Interest rates, State Pension to rise, Alphabet joins $3 trillion club, Trump’s TikTok deal and where fund managers see value
In this week’s AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast, we look at the latest interest rate moves in the UK and US and what they mean for markets, savers and borrowers [01:25]. Also in markets news we’ll take a look at the US-UK investment story, and dip into news that Alphabet has joined the $3 trillion club [07:50] and Trump and TikTok deal that means it stays in the US [10:14]. We then turn to the state pension triple lock, as the latest wage figures play a crucial role in setting next year’s increase [13:09].Â
Sticking with pensions, Charlene Young and Laura Suter discuss a new move from the taxman on pension tax relief and what it could mean for those claiming extra relief [17:45]. Charlene also delves into new AJ Bell research on how people’s expectations for retirement compare with the reality of what retirees actually spend [21:55].Â
Later in the show, Dan Coatsworth speaks with Ben Preston from Orbis Global Equity Fund about why he has less invested in the US than a typical global fund, why he’s backing the UK, and his investment in Nintendo [28:20]. Dan also interviews Daniel Avigad from Lansdowne European Special Situations Fund about whether investors have missed the boat on Europe’s strong stock market performance and why the owner of Ray-Ban is catching his attention [39:04].Â
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51:36
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51:36
Pile the pounds on your pension, plus mining mergers and rare earths
On this episode of the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast Dan Coatsworth and Danni Hewson are joined by AJ Bell’s pension guru Rachel Vahey ahead of pension awareness week.
They discuss a new advert fronted by former Eastender star Ross Kemp which hopes to persuade people to engage with their pension in the same way they engage with their physical fitness. Rachel shares some top tips to make sure your pension is fighting fit. [01:33]
In markets news, Dan digs into Anglo American’s gigantic bid to take over Canadian copper miner Teck Resources [19:46]. Danni discusses why it’s a tricky time for UK retailers like Dunelm and Primark [23:00]. As Tesla’s share of the US electric vehicle market falls to an eight-year low, the pair assess Elon Musk’s proposed $1 trillion pay deal. [27:51]
Find out how geopolitical instability is affecting markets [33:00] and learn how investors reacted to a judge temporarily halting Donald Trump’s firing of Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook ahead of next week’s US interest rate decision [35:06]. Dan also discusses the companies going in and out of the UK’s top stock market indices. [39:15]
This week’s special guest is George Bennett, chief executive of Rainbow Rare Earths who discusses how his company hopes to take advantage of demand for minerals crucial to technology we use daily. [41:42]
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53:19
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53:19
Inflation and economic reshuffles in the UK, scandal at Nestle and the latest on Trump and the Fed
US trade deal with Japan as earnings season kicks off, pensions and IHT plans confirmed, and 24-hour trading on the LSE
In this week’s Money and Markets podcast, Tom Sieber and Charlene Young discuss the latest twist in the tariffs saga as the US and Japan announce a deal and explore the early results from the US earnings season, with updates from JPMorgan, Citi, Coca-Cola and Netflix [04:04]. Â
They also look ahead to what investors can expect from the big tech names due to report next week, including Microsoft, Apple, Amazon and Meta [10:12].Â
They also discuss a major proposal from the London Stock Exchange to introduce 24-hour trading and what that could mean for retail investors [12:20] and there’s boardroom news at BP as the energy giant appoints a new chair [14:04].Â
Back in the UK, the government has announced the final proposals around pensions and inheritance tax [16:08], and the State Pension age is also under review again [24:02].Â
This week’s episode also features two interviews: Martin Gamble speaks to Jacopo di Nardo from Latitude Investment Management about Diageo and the impact of the recent CEO departure [27:27], and Dan Coatsworth talks to Schroder Asia Pacific portfolio manager Abbas Barkhordar about the vibe in Asia around those US tariffs [40:44].Â
Finally, with summer holidays in full swing, Tom and Charlene look at a story involving Ryanair, oversized luggage, and a rather inventive employee bonus scheme [51:47].Â
Note: The podcast is taking a short summer break and will return in early September.Â
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54:48
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54:48
Inflation on the rise, FTSE hits 9,000, and the Chancellor announces sweeping reforms to financial services
In this week’s AJ Bell Money and Markets podcast, Laith Khalaf and Tom Selby dive into what’s been moving in markets, from the FTSE hitting 9,000 (01:17) to Bitcoin hitting a record high [04:10].
We’ll also be talking through the latest inflation figures to come out of the UK and US and what that might mean for interest rates [11:25].
The Chancellor has delivered her annual Mansion House speech to the city, and there were a lot of big changes announced. Laith and Tom discuss ISAs [14:52], boosting retail investing and changes to the banking and mortgage market [29:42].
Finally we have an interview with Lynda Shillaw, CEO of the property development company, the Harworth Group, about trends in the sector and Harworth’s promotion to the FTSE 250 [34:20].
Ireland