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Russ Mould of A J Bell takes a look at what's been driving markets on both sides of the Atlantic. In the US, it's largely been growth stocks with some element of travel as well. In the UK, it's largely been companies like Rolls-Royce, and Marks and Spencer, companies that had seemed very much out of favour at the turn of the year. Many of the best performers are consumer-led stocks, despite cost-of-living pressures. He feels that, in the UK, there's an element of vlue investing with companies like M&S rapidly reducing its debt position. The big question now is, how long can it last?

Guests: Russ Mould

Published: Thu 17 August 2023

Neil Shah of Edison Group discusses the media sector. While consumers may welcome the end of the online cookie, in the UK only the movie and entertainment sectors are doing well, with most others struggling and hoping to see rising confidence among consumers. Neil, however, discusses one company that has and continues to do well. Based in the US but listed in London, 4Imprint does branded marketing for small businesses. An exceptional business, it's highly efficient, caring and has a tiny market share and, although highly rated, it's deserved.

Guests: Neil Shah

Published: Thu 10 August 2023

Laith Khalaf of A J Bell talks to Simon Rose about the Bank of England's latest interest rate rise, the 14th in a row, taking it to 5.25%. As he points out, two MPC members wanted to increase it to 5.5%. Laith looks at the BoE's latest inflation forecasts (which will be a relief to the PM) and discusses the ramifications of Fitch downgrading the United States' credit rating. Investors, he says, shouldn't get too caught up in all this but should stick to their knitting and keep a long-term view.

Guests: Laith Khalaf

Published: Thu 3 August 2023

Andrew Keen of Edison Group discusses energy transition. With the oil and gas companies in long-term structural decline, wind and solar will be the big growth areas while the materials needed are a fascinating area with not enough investment focus. He discusses the trends and some of the problems. However, he points out that it is a complex field and British investors are fortunate that investment trusts can offer a sensible route in, with the fund managers doing the hard work on research.

Guests: Andrew Keen

Published: Thu 27 July 2023

Danni Hewson of A J Bell talks to Simon Rose about the market reaction to this week's fall in inflation, explaining why investors have seemed so euphoric. She discusses the sectors that have been hardest hit – and now are benefitting most – from inflation turning downwards, such as housebuilders, consumer-facing stocks and companies in the hospitality sector.

Guests: Danni Hewson

Published: Thu 20 July 2023

Neil Shah of Edison Group discusses the Chancellor's Mansion House speech, particularly the attempt to encourage pension funds and insurance companies to invest in the UK. He gives a shocking example of BT's £37bn pension fund, investing just £100m in UK equities. Neil feels that regulation is forcing too much to go into fixed income and that encouraging but not mandating UK equity investment (including unlisted securities) could make a difference over time.

Guests: Neil Shah

Published: Thu 13 July 2023

Since the suffragette movement, women have had to work hard to gain autonomy in what was once very much “a man’s world”; and when it comes to finances, women are yet to achieve equality. Vicky Sayers is joined by Tamara Gillan, founder of the WealthiHer Network: created to inspire and empower women to grow and protect their wealth. They discuss the continuing economic inequality of the sexes, and the initiatives put in place by the WealthiHer Network to work towards equality. https://www.wealthihernetwork.com/ originally recorded 20 March 2020

Guests: Tamara Gillan

Published: Fri 7 July 2023

In the wake of the buyout of Lookers, Neil Shah of Edison Group considers whether the fact that the UK listed market is steadily being depleted is a bad thing or not? He feels that takeovers by trade buyers or private equity provide a possible exit for investors when the stock market might be underpricing companies and that, without it, investors – particularly in the small- and mid-cap areas – might not see value realised.

Guests: Neil Shah

Published: Thu 29 June 2023

With the Bank of England raising interest rates to 5% and inflation not just remaining stubbornly high but perhaps becoming ingrained, Danni Hewson talks to Simon Rose about what the future holds. Housebuilders, retailers and the hospitality sector are saying consumers are resilient but all indicators point to a recession. Investors should be mindful of the changing economy and may need to rebalance their portfolios. With an election pending, how will the Government react to what is happening?

Guests: Danni Hewson

Published: Thu 22 June 2023

Neil Shah of Edison Group explains to Simon Rose that, as Albert Einstein remarked, compound interest is the eighth Wonder of the World. He discusses two companies that exhibit the same characterics. Games Workshop, with its niche Warhammer figurines has international scalability and over the long term produces a sustained return on equity while DiscoverIE has transformed itself and is another self-sustaining business with free cash flow generation. Compared to their peers, both look to be at a discount and they could be good "buy and forget" investments.

Guests: Neil Shah

Published: Thu 15 June 2023