Original Broadcast: The Financial Outlook for Personal Investors
Victoria Scholar, head of investment at Interactive Investor, delves into the Spring Statement, assessing its significance and what the Chancellor is doing to tackle the cost-of-living crisis. While the markets seemed indifferent to the Statement, it is becoming clear that the days of a "floating all boats" market are over. With increased volatility, it is now very much a stockpicker's market.
Guests: Victoria Scholar
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Original Broadcast: The Financial Outlook for Personal Investors
Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivers his statement, unabridged and with no additional comment. Major initiatives include a 5p/litre cut in fuel duty for 12 months, simplification and relief for energy saving home improvements, a doubling of household support via local authorities, a £3,000 increase in the National Insurance threshold, and a promise to cut the basic rate of income tax from 20p/£ to 19p/£ by the next election; plus reform of training, R&D credits and capital-raising.
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Original Broadcast: The Financial Outlook for Personal Investors
Perusing the latest statement from the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee, Russ Mould of A J Bell says that central bankers currently resemble porcupines in a balloon factory. For investors, trying to second-guess events is extremely difficult, if not impossible. So they should ensure they are sensibly diversified while trying to avoid heavily-indebted companies, particularly in cylical industries. If your portfolio is keeping you awake at night, says Russ, then you should change it.
Guests: Russ Mould
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Original Broadcast: The Business Of Film
With 'The Batman' still dominating cinema screens with a total take of £26m, James Cameron-Wilson looks at 'Red Rocket' from Sean Baker, in at #12. Pixar's animated 'Turning Red', about female puberty, has bypassed cinemas and gone straight to Disney+. James admired it, despite it going OTT at the end. He also much enjoyed the self-knowing time-travel adventure 'The Adam Project' with Ryan Reynolds on Netflix.
Guests: James Cameron-Wilson
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Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Share Radio's technology editor, in discussion with Simon Rose, talks about the cuts in employee benefits at Facebook. MyHeritage have progressed from animating old photos to adding synthesised voices, the world's longest car has been extended, there's a DIY virtual rollercoaster, Audi are introducing a "holoride" for bored passengers, there's a plan to bring the dodo back from extinction and the world's largest bacterium has been discovered in a mangrove swamp.
Guests: Steve Caplin
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Political commentator Mike Indian celebrates the return of Nazanin Zaghair-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori to the UK but, he wonders, how can Western countries cope with the often extreme tactics employed by rogue nations? He discusses the PM's fruitless visit to Saudi Arabia, the latest situation in Ukraine – with news of further atrocities emerging – and concerns about the enobling of Evgeny Lebedev.
Guests: Mike Indian
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Original Broadcast: The Financial Outlook for Personal Investors
Russ Mould of A J Bell looks at the rally in the NASDAQ and warns that history shows that, even in bear markets, there can be substantial rallies. As he points out, all the problems for the growth stocks that caused the market to fall are still present. He also considers Amazon's buyback plan and stock split, the first time the company has returned cash to investors since its market debut in 1997. Discussing buybacks in general, happening a great deal in the UK at the moment, he cautions investors to see whether the board are also buying into the company.
Guests: Russ Mould
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University, in conversation with Simon Rose, looks at the extraordinary U-turns being made in the field of energy, with oil, gas and even coal coming back, leading to amazing new alliances being made and with ramifications that can't yet be foreseen. He discusses the unintended consequences of Putin's invasion of Ukraine, one of which he fears may be to damage the historic reputation of Russia. And he gets excited by the idea of "virtual wards" being trialled by the NHS.
Guests: Professor Tim Evans
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Original Broadcast: The Business Of Film
Most films are suffering the onslaught of The Batman, says James Cameron-Wilson, looking at the UK box office. This dark version of the Dark Knight, almost 3 long hours long, took £13.5m over the weekend, the 3rd highest since the pandemic. British indie comedy Ali & Ava made #9. James had reservations about Netflix's true-life survival drama Against The Ice, a Danish-Icelandic co-production. But he loved Portuguese The Metamorphosis of Birds, almost a new cinematic art form in itself, out in selected cinemas and on various streaming platforms.
Guests: James Cameron-Wilson
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Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Share Radio's tech genius Steve Caplin talks to Simon Rose about Amazon's new radio app and Apple's new phone and computer. Danish scientists have worked out how to tell if pigs are happy, hydroelectric dams could be replaced by electric trucks, the Belgians have come up with a way of cleaning solar panels while the FlossElf is a flosser with a camera so you can see if you're doing it properly.
Guests: Steve Caplin
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