Original Broadcast: The Financial Outlook for Personal Investors
Russ Mould of A J Bell looks at the importance of the American tech stocks, once the FANGs and now MAANAM. All suffered steep price falls last year but, of the $2.4tn rebound in the S&P 500, $1.6tn has come from these six. Russ points out that the better their share prices do, the less downside protection there is. Inflation and interest rates are also a consideration to their valuation. But with no correspondingly important UK tech stocks, they're vitally important to British investors through tracker or other investment vehicles, even if they might not realise it. If their momentum is to continue, their results must deliver.
Guests: Russ Mould
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Original Broadcast: The Business Of Film
James Cameron-Wilson takes Simon Rose through the UK box office numbers, down 25% week on week. Super Mario Bros still dominates with Evil Dead Rises (5th in the series) debuting at #2. James found it stupidly predictable and cliched. He was much more impressed by Missing at #6. Another slim-budgeted screenlife movie, he found it gripping and emotionally involving, as well as being an amazing education as to what's possible online. He found Amazon Prime's action thriller Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre, directed by Guy Ritchie and with Jason Statham overfamiliar, although he admits that it does look very good. Lastly, he paid his tribute to Harry Belafonte.
Guests: James Cameron-Wilson
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Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Steve Caplin discusses tech with Simon Rose, lamenting the end of BuzzFeed news and explaining Twitter's blue tick problem. The Russians have beaten Tom Cruise to making the first movie in space while NASA's Mars helicopter has just completed its 50th flight. Inflatable drones may soon solve the problem of drone fragility while a bike's been built with square wheels. Parrots have been trained to video call each other while Italian scientists are developing an edible battery. Steve is also impressed by a crowdfunded system of multi-camera live streaming to your phone.
Guests: Steve Caplin
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
In the wake of Dominic Raab's resignation and bullying allegations against the Health Secretary, political commentator Mike Indian looks at why antagonism has grown between the Government and the Civil Service? Do we even have the right sort of Civil Service for a modern Britain? He considers whether we should be worried that it's looking ever more likely that the next American Presidential Election will, again, be between Biden and Trump. And he finds it a source of optimism that Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill has said that she will attend King Charles's coronation.
Guests: Mike Indian
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University looks at research showing that 2 in 5 people have either used private health care or are considering doing so. He wonders if this means that the NHS has reached a tipping point and that the old model will soon be declared moribund. He considers the rise, role and dangers of "greedflation" and asks whether consumers are being taken for a ride. And, with Labour doing more poorly in the polls, he ponders whether the next General Election is a foregone conclusion and whether politics may be about to get interesting again.
Guests: Professor Tim Evans
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James Cameron-Wilson points out that while weekly box office is down 41%, it's still much healthier than this time last year. Super Mario Bros is still #1 with the highest new film being Renfield at #5. Another Dracula adaptation with Nicolas Cage and Nicholas Hoult, James found it a ridiculous mess, "more ham than Hammer" and one of the bloodiest films he had ever seen, despite its 15 certificate. He much preferred Tetris, the story of the computer game. Streaming on Apple+ and starring Taron Egerton, he found it utterly absorbing.
Guests: James Cameron-Wilson
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Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Steve Caplin delves into the world of tech, with AI creating a photo that won a big photography competition, composing a popular song that has now been banned and attracting Elon Musk, shortly after demanding a pause in AI research. There's an electronic device to replace physical board games, a bike rack with a powered motor and a backpack for your bike if it's too tough off road. Last year cassette sales were at a 20-year high, while vinyl outsold CDs. And do you know how "high" you are scrolling? Steve will tell you.
Guests: Steve Caplin
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Original Broadcast: The Financial Outlook for Personal Investors
Victoria Scholar of Interactive Investor summarises the latest UK inflation and employment statistics. In the light of general inflation remaining above 10% and with the likes of food and drink considerably higher than that, what do economists think will happen with interest rates? Is a hike more likely now? Will the economy fall into a recession this year? And will the UK stock market's tear come to an end?
Guests: Victoria Scholar
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Original Broadcast: The Financial Outlook for Personal Investors
Russ Mould of A J Bell looks at gold, which recently went above $2,000 an ounce again. He asks how the metal, which produces no income, can be valued. Believing it is NOT an inflation hedge, he does think it can be a hedge against loss of faith in central bankers. Despite a round of mergers and acquisitions in the industry, while gold has risen 30% since 2020, gold shares, out of fashion, are only up 12%. While smaller and riskier than the giants, he wonders if some UK gold producers could be considered cheap.
Guests: Russ Mould
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Original Broadcast: The Business Of Film
The UK box office shot up by 130%, says James Cameron-Wilson, thanks to the record-breaking opening worldwide of The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Frenetic and aimed at the Tik Tok generation, James was alarmed at the violence and brutality. He found Ben Affleck's Air, with Matt Damon, about Nike and Michael Jordan to be entertaining but unengaging. And although Boston Strangler, on Disney+ with Keira Knightley, was a treat for the eye, again he was not engaged enough to care. He was encouraged, though, by good corporate news from Everyman Cinemas.
Guests: James Cameron-Wilson
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