Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
For his first appearance in 2026, Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University looks as what he feels will be the big themes for the United Kingdom this year: geopolitics; living standards; state efficiency; devolution; leadership, the EU; trade & tech; and Net Zero. When it comes to ID cards, with the government heavily influenced by Tony Blair, the protests against the scheme made the public – who had been moderately in favour – realise the drawbacks and cost, so that it became a political liability. Tim cantered through the various Labour U-turns on income tax thresholds, workers' rights, the WASPI women, grooming gangs, winter fuel payments, pub business rates, farming inheritance tax and welfare reforms. Labour appears to have no strategy. The U-turns smack of weakness and, in the public mind, echo the 14 years of Conservative rule.
Guests: Professor Tim Evans
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Original Broadcast: Thought for the Week
We're looking forward to a significant step forward towards inter-generational rebalancing as a result of Share Alliance's two-day conference in May: the first day focused on academic research and the second on policy options. Please let us know if you're interested by visiting this 'Save the Date' page: https://www.sharealliance.org.uk/ig-rebalancing-conference-registration/. This will hopefully be a refreshing contrast to the mix of nostalgia and charisma which seems to be driving so much of politics at present, and which was the subject of an interesting discussion between Amol Rajan and Louisa Munch in his BBC 'Radical' podcast last week. Background music: Generations Away' by Unicorn Heads'
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Life isn't what it once was for star fund managers. The investment industry once thrived on big names but these widely recognisable figures are few and far between nowadays. Two that remain are Terry Smith and Nick Train but their Fundsmith and Finsbury Growth & Income investors have had their patience tested by five years of underperformance compared to just sticking money in a cheap market tracker fund. Both managers defended their approach this week, while offering their investors an apology of sorts. So, is it time to swap your star fund manager for a cheap index fund, or are the stock pickers likely to be proved right in the end? Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert discuss the cult of the fund manager and whether it's had its day. Meanwhile, The Chancellor wants to get more of us investing but MPs have looked into her plans to cut the cash ISA limit and said it's unlikely to lead more people to the UK stock market. That's exactly what most investment experts told the Chancellor before the Budget, so is there any chance of change of heart? Parts of the London property market have been having a quiet house price crash; Georgie, Helen and Simon discuss what's going on and what kind of properties are affected. The team also ask if cashback is worth it — and look at the deals that could cost you money. And finally, if you want a cheap electric car runaround, what are your best options and what would it cost you?
Guests: Helen Crane
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Original Broadcast: Motley Fool Show
Matt Frankel, Tyler Crowe, and Jon Quast discuss earnings from six of the largest U.S. banks, the president's proposed cap on credit card interest rates, and stocks on our radar. Companies discussed: JPM, BAC, C, WFC, GS, MS, COF, SOFI, KLAR, FIVE, ASR. Host — Matt Frankel; Guests — Tyler Crowe, Jon Quast.o
Guests: Tyler Crowe,Jon Quast
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Original Broadcast: Motley Fool Show
Data centers are still the headline, but the real pinch points are power and real estate. Emily Flippen is joined by Motley Fool analysts Anders Bylund and Dan Caplinger to map the data center buildout, the risks of “overbuild,” and where investors can look for exposure without paying bubble prices. Companies discussed: MSFT, AMZN, NEE, GOOGL, HPE, AAON, STRL, DLR, FIX, EME, AMT, EQIX, IRM, STN, SBGSY. Host — Emily Flippen; Guests — Dan Caplinger, Anders Bylund.
Guests: Dan Caplinger,Anders Bylund
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It’s the new year, and whilst many of us have our own resolutions, one goal in particular seems to be high on the priority list for Brits this year — sleep. New data from Panda London has revealed that over one in three UK adults say that sleeping better is their number one new year’s resolution, and to talk more about this new data with Rory McGowan is Dr. Ritz Birah, a consultant counselling psychologist.
Guests: Ritz Birah`
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Career development is not just about doing your job really well, but also about responding to the inner call for more challenge and opportunity: what can be described as the progressive rather than cyclical approach. But it's not just a matter of expecting these things to fall into your lap: preparation and applying those extra skills call for action on your part. Clarity, belief — then action: these are the key ingrdients for going for promotion or, indeed, starting your own business.
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Original Broadcast: The Business Of Film
James Cameron-Wilson is impressed that The Housemaid has risen to the top spot. #2 is the quintessentially British movie Hamnet, despite Irish leads (Paul Mescal & Jessie Buckley) and Chinese writer-director Chloé Zhao. It's a slow burn but builds to a highly emotional climax. James loved it to within an inch of its brocade. On Amazon Prime, he was impressed by The Tank, a German film about a Tiger crew on a secret mission against the Russians after Stalingrad. It's tense and excellent until the final, infuriating twist. He is a fan of Kate Winslet's directorial debut, Goodbye June on Netflix. Written by her son Joe Anders, the cast includes Helen Mirren and Timothy Spall. It has great humanity, humour and wisdom, despite its sentimental ending. He watched The Family Plan 2 on Apple TV+ to see why Mark Wahlberg's online movies are so popular. It has some good action and one-liners but the plot is incredibly familiar.
Guests: James Cameron-Wilson
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Original Broadcast: The Financial Outlook for Personal Investors
Neil Shah of Edison Group says that Greggs' shares are off almost 40% over the past couple of years. Like other fast food companies, weight loss jabs are having an effect on their business. But the recent Q4 update confirmed that the company will meet their profit expectations and the management team has a great track record of executing growth. Although they could simply farm their estate, further growth is worth pursuing and the price fall gives investors an entry opportunity. BP was the second best-performing oil major last year and now has a clear strategy of returning to its roots which appears to be bearing fruit. The numbers are encouraging and it should make new ground this year.
Guests: Neil Shah
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Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Steve Caplin returns to Las Vegas's Consumer Electronics Show, marvelling at AI lawnmowers, air conditioners, saunas, showers and even an AI robot triceratops for the lawn, though it's rather a small one. We are promised a single-seat eVTOL for around £30,000 very soon from China, whose BYD EV car company has now overtaken Tesla for sales volume. Amazon has entered the TV business with a set resembling a framed artwork. Matthew McConaughey has trademarked himself to prevent AI cloning him. Apple is to use Google Gemini to power Siri and Nike have taken a decade to develop shoes that apparently stimulate the wearer's feet.
Guests: Steve Caplin
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Original Broadcast: Motley Fool Show
The stock market was all over the map this week but the biggest news was the U.S. government potential spending $1.5 trillion on defence. Of course, there are strings attached which investors don’t like, but this could be an opportunity long-term. We also touched on Alphabet potentially becoming the most valuable company in the world and what moonshots we’re interested in. Travis Hoium, Jason Moser, and Lou Whiteman discuss the pulse of the market, $1.5 trillion for defence, Alphabet passes Apple and Crowdstrike’s acquisition, Companies discussed: Crowdstrike (CRWD), Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL), Joby Aviation (JOBY), Archer Aviation (ACHR), AST Spacemobile (ASTS), Rocket Lab (RKLB). Host — Travis Hoium; Guests — Jason Moser, Lou Whiteman.
Guests: Jason Moser,Lou Whiteman
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Original Broadcast: Motley Fool Show
Emily Flippen is joined by Motley Fool analyst Asit Sharma and Head of AI Donato Riccio to break down our 2026 AI Investor Outlook Report and what it means for investors heading into the new year. In particular, we discuss what real investors are doing: 9 in 10 AI investors plan to hold or add to AI stocks; what changes are coming in 2026 — faster, cheaper models, and accelerating adoption; and how to invest without over-indexing your portfolio to a volatile sector. Companies discussed: ALAB, MU, NVDA, AMD, PSTG, MSFT, AMZN, GOOGL. Access the The Motley Fool 2026 AI Investor Outlook Report here: fool.com/research/ai-investor-outlook. Host — Emily Flippen; Guests — Donato Riccio, Asit Sharma.
Guests: Donato Riccio,Asit Sharma
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