There's not much love being shared between Russia and Ukraine this Christmas. Putin calls for respect, but respect for others doesn't come naturally for him. Meanwhile, it's time that Rutger Bregman should see evolution as the essential process of continuous creation driven by our conscious creator who is unconditional love. Background music: 'O Holy Night' by DJ Williams
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In seasonal spirit after what has felt like an exhausting political year, Mike Indian looks at the Three Unwise Men: Starmer; Trump; and Farage. Not since Attlee has a Labour PM had such internal difficulties and such a short honeymoon. His achievements have been drowned out by U-turns, defeats and gaffes. Labour are expected to do poorly in the May elections. Starmer is resilient and ruthless, but can he recover his authority? The unwisest man is surely Donald Trump. Eccentric and sometimes delusional, there has rarely been a more chaotic period in recent American history. His actions have a massive effect around the world. His health is now in question and it’s unlikely that he will go gracefully when is term is up. Of the three, Farage has had the best year. With just 5 MPs, Reform is polling above 30%. But the Russian links are insidious and it is still too early to predict the next election. We need to see real policies, not empty slogans. The next election will be the most pluralistic since 1923.
Guests: Mike Indian
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Original Broadcast: Motley Fool Show
While many people are checking off items on their holiday shopping lists, we're making a list (and checking it twice) of stocks we would be happy to buy as 2025 comes to a close. Our list includes 3 giants in their respective fields, but are still Hidden Gems for investors who know what to look for. Companies discussed: LULU, GOOGL, GOOG, ABNB. Host — Jason Hall; Guests — Jon Quast, Dan Caplinger.
Guests: Jon Quast,Dan Caplinger
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
The Bank of England has cut interest rates for the fourth time this year. The base rate is now the lowest it's been since 2023 but a split vote means markets and economists are now questioning how much lower they will go. Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert discuss what a 3.75% base rate means for borrowers, savers and investors — and, more importantly, where rates are going next. Plus, the social media savings tricks that Gen Z love — and what the rest of us can learn from them. Where has the highest household income and why how it is balanced matters. How to not get caught out by a counterfeit Christmas. And finally, another thorny question about a fence — but what's the answer? Merry Christmas from all of us at This is Money.
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Empowerment is all about the freedom to make choices and be more in control of your life. Conventions and rules are of course helpful in providing a structure for everuday life, but they can also tie you down. Adam uses the metaphor of game-playing in this episode to help with breaking free in order to find more spontaniety, more fun and adventure in life.
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Original Broadcast: Motley Fool Show
Electric vehicles were supposed to disrupt the auto industry, but sales are down, subsidies are going away, and Ford is pivoting away from EVs and taking $19.5 billion in charges to shift to hybrids. What strategy is the right one long-term? Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Rachel Warren discuss Ford’s $19.5 billion EV writedown — does Detriot have the right strategy? Plus, what’s next for Rivian and Tesla. Companies discussed: Ford (F), Rivian (RIVN), Tesla (TSLA), General Motors (GM), Lucid (LCID). Host — Travis Hoium; Guests — Lou Whiteman, Rachel Warren.
Guests: Lou Whiteman,Rachel Warren
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Original Broadcast: The Business Of Film
James Cameron-Wilson says that box office is down 40% again, even though #1 Zootropolis 2 has become the biggest film of the year worldwide. #18 Ella McCay is from James L. Brooks, who brought us such movies as Broadcast News. It stars Emma Mackey as an aspiring politician, backed by a raft of great actors such as Jamie Lee Curtis and Albert Brooks. Full of terrific dialogue, it reminds James of the great screwball comedies of old. He loved every minute. He was also impressed by Netflix’s Train Dreams, with Joel Edgerton as a logger and railroad worker. This is film as art and does require a degree of patience. He was bewitched by a film which reminded him of Days of Heaven. Also on Netflix is the third Knives Out movie, Dead Man Wake Up. Despite a great cast supporting Daniel Craig, James thought the murder plot was forced and, while there were some great moments, he was ultimately disappointed.
Guests: James Cameron-Wilson
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Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Steve Caplin is intrigued by a ring for your index finger which will capture audio to take notes or set up timers or reminders. Dutch students have invented a modular electric car which has parts you can swap out yourself, including the battery, motors and even body panels. Wacky inventor Colin Furze has come up with a bicycle that has magnetic suspension. There’s a personal AI chef, an AI monitor for your cat’s litter tray, a way of harvesting lithium from dead rechargeable batteries, an expensive portable sauna you can take camping with you and, in Hangzhou in China, they have wheeled out a robot traffic policeman.
Guests: Steve Caplin
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Original Broadcast: The Financial Outlook for Personal Investors
Russ Mould of A J Bell comments that, given the headwinds buffetting markets in 2025, you would hardly expect it to have been such a fantastic year for assets. He suggests 5 topics for investors to consider in 2026: interest rates; AI; commodities; small caps; and cash returns. Monetary and fiscal policy (except taxes in the UK) was generally stimulative and looks likely to continue. We have little direct involvement in AI so, if it blows up, the UK will be less affected than other markets. Miners and oils have been great performers this year but the profit upgrades we're now seeing are mostly because of metal miners. Small caps have been nowhere to be seen. Why? It is not healthy if the small and medium-sized companies that employ 90% of workers are struggling. UK investors have seen over £180bn returned to them in 2025. That's over a 6% return on the All-Share Index, which should continue to support UK shares if things continue as they are.
Guests: Russ Mould
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The first year of Trump's Mark 2 presidency has seen huge swings in critical areas for the future of humanity, including climate change, the risk of existential conflict and wealth polarisation. Where are the statesmen who can look ahead further than the next election, and at the interests of future generations? And is Rutger Bregman right to claim that a moral revolution can be delivered by national governments? Background music: 'Hopeful Freedom' by Asher Fulero
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Mortgage lenders are battling to offer borrowers lower rates - running ahead of the Bank of England making an expected cut next week. That's good news for anyone buying a home but it's even better for the 1.9million people who need to remortgage next year — many of whom will be facing a payment shock as they come off much lower fixed rates. So, will the mortgage cuts revive the moribund housing market — and what should you do if your fixed rate is running out? Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert talk mortgages and the property market - including why experts say now is the best time in a decade to negotiate on a new build home. Plus, what does the Fed rate cut mean for investors, would you give a child or grandchild shares for Christmas, and finally, where are Britons trying to buy homes abroad — and why?
Guests: Helen Crane
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Original Broadcast: Motley Fool Show
Disney agreed to let its characters be used in OpenAI’s Sora videos, so is this a visionary move, or is Disney giving away its IP to AI? We discuss media in AI, Oracle’s recent earnings report, and ask what executive would be the dream free agent pickup for some beaten-up stocks. Travis Hoium, Dan Caplinger, and Jon Quast discuss Disney’s licensing deal with OpenAI, Oracle’s earnings and AI buildout, Lululemon earnings recap, and CEO free agent picks. Companies discussed: Nike (NKE), The Trade Desk (TTD), Disney (DIS), Block (XYZ), Oracle (ORCL), Alphabet (GOOG). Host — Travis Hoium; Guests — Dan Caplinger, Jon Quast.
Guests: Dan Caplinger,Jon Quast
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