Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Political commentator Mike Indian says that the Chancellor's pre-Budget speech is clearly setting us up for tax rises. Labour's biggest mistake was promising not to increase income tax, VAT or National Insurance. With taxes at a high but the British state so sclerotic, people are entitled to ask, "Where is my money going?" Mike found it interesting that at the very moment when it looked as if the Chancellor might have to go over her rental income problems, that was when the Palace chose to strip Andrew Mountbatten Windsor of his titles. It was a miscalculation for it didn't bury the story. But is it appropriate for the Royals to sort this out on their own? Mike believes not.
Guests: Mike Indian
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Original Broadcast: Thought for the Week
Universal publicly-funded welfare, including health care and education, has proved a very expensive Marxist experiment in western democracies. Far from resolving the challenge of eliminating poverty and disadvantage, it has loaded a huge debt burden on public finances which Rachel Reeves needs to address in the forthcoming UK Budget. But there is no point in loading still more income and capital taxes on the wealthy: they'll just leave the country in ever greater numbers, and economic growth — and tax revenue — will fall as a result. A much more practical solution is that people who can afford to pay for these services should do so, so that Government can focus financial support where it's most needed. Background music: 'The New Order' by Aaron Kenny
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University says that Labour is now seeing as much rancour as the last Tory administration. The briefings against Wes Streeting appear to have increased the focus on the party's leadership. But could a more capable, charismatic leader fix the systemic crisis in a Britain where nothing seems to work when no politician is even discussing it? The crisis at the Office for National Statistics is crucial, as the Bank of England and OBR rely on it to base their decisions. Poor data undermines the fabric of our society. Tim notes that US financial services in several places are growing faster than New York, particularly in Dallas. Could New York be about to kill the golden goose?
Guests: Professor Tim Evans
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Original Broadcast: The Business Of Film
James Cameron-Wilson's dislike of the Predator franchise isn't changed by the 9th in the series #1 Predator: Badlands which, with no human characters, bored him. He loved #2 The Choral, another film from the Nicholas Hytner/Alan Bennett partnership. Set in World War 1, Roger Allam and Ralph Fiennes star in a tale of a local choral society short of men. It's full of compassion, drama and humour and is timeless and uplifting. #24 Anemone is a first-time film from Ronan Day-Lewis who gets his father Daniel to return to the screen as a remote-living hermit. Also starring Sean Bean, it's self-indulgent and leaves the audience too often in the dark.
Guests: James Cameron-Wilson
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Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Steve Caplin reports that Australian researchers have found that coffee sharply reduces heart problems. Nottingham scientists have produced a gel that can strengthen and rebuild tooth enamel. There's a voice-controlled electric blanket that kills dust mites – only on sale in China. Many UK buses made in China have a kill switch which can be operated remotely. There's advice on how to avoid scams on Black Friday, a new AI e-ink paper reader, an outdoor electric trolley, an expensive "sock" to carry your iphone and an explanation of how Anguilla is getting even richer from having the right domain name.
Guests: Steve Caplin
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Original Broadcast: The Financial Outlook for Personal Investors
Neil Shah of Edison Group says that the heathcare sector has had a torrid time recently but that many of the risks that caused the rerating are vanishing. Positives include demographics, innovation and the patent cliff, which is increasing M&A activity. He mentions some good specialist investment trusts worth considering. He also feels that small caps might soon come into their own, with Budget changes possibly benefitting them. There is plenty of value there and Rockwood Strategic, with a concentrated portfolio of just 25 stocks, has a really good track record, aiming for a 15% annual RoR. It's worth looking at their well-designed website.
Guests: Neil Shah
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Can you do a financial podcast and not mention the Budget right now? No, not really. But you can give it a good shot at keeping Budget chat to the minimum. Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert take breather from talking about Rachel Reeves and the endless cycle of madness that is the Budget 2025 build up to discuss some other stuff. Can they get through it without mentioning the Budget any more than five times? Listen to find out. First up it's interest rates. Why did the Bank of England hold, will there be a cut next month and how far will they fall? Plus, how have rate expectations shifted and where exactly do mortgage borrowers and savers stand now? Next, it's house prices. Leading estate agent Savills says property values are due to rise 22% in five years, but is that a lot or a little — and could homes actually be getting cheaper. Lee explains why savers are stashing so much cash and Simon sounds a clarion call for moving your money out of insult accounts. Then, via a quick diversion avoiding sneaky speed cameras, it is on to the turf war. Is it ever okay to consider artificial grass and what will it do to your house price? Listen to the end for B***** mentions score.
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Original Broadcast: Motley Fool Show
Investor sentiment has dropped down to extreme fear as the financial headlines increasingly stoke concerns. Many stocks have dropped into bear territory but our analysts are decided to celebrate the 'holiday' and give some of these bears a hug. The team also tackles Berkshire Hathaway's record pile of cash, Elon Musk's $1 trillion payday, and restaurant stocks before wrapping up with stocks on our radar. Jon Quast, Lou Whiteman and Emily Flippen discuss the fear and greed index is showing extreme fear, Berkshire Hathaway is sitting on $382 billion, Tesla approves Elon Musk's performance award that includes important operational milestones, Denny's is being acquired, Papa John's bid is pulled, and Yum! Brands may be looking for a buyer for Pizza Hut and stocks on our radar. Companies discussed: BRK.A, BRK.B, TSLA, EATZ, DPZ, PZZA, YUM, CASY, SBUX, DENN, SG, DASH, AXON, LULU, IT, SMCI, CMG, DUOL, TTD, STN. Host — Jon Quast; Guests - Lou Whiteman, Emily Flippen.
Guests: Lou Whiteman,Emily Flippen
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Original Broadcast: Motley Fool Show
Matt Frankel, Tyler Crowe, and Jon Quast discuss Unity Software's strong progress toward a turnaround, cancelled flights expected at forty airports, and stocks on our radar. Companies discussed: U, PINS, RCL, WM, AGM. Host - Matt Frankel; Guests - Tyler Crowe, Jon Quast.
Guests: Tyler Crowe,Jon Quast
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Original Broadcast: Modern Mindset
Across the UK, a quiet investment revolution is taking place. Ordinary people are putting their savings to work for good - funding solar energy on schools, fair loans for NHS staff, and community renewables that cut emissions and costs. Joining Rory McGowan to discuss this is Chris Butler, Finance Director at Ethex and Investment Expert, alongside community investor lead Simon Dukes, CEO Fair for You.
Guests: Chris Butler,Simon Dukes
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This November, PETA is launching Plant Wool Month — a 30-day celebration of the beauty, diversity, and sustainability of the wools borne from the extraordinary plants that give the Earth its lungs. Unlike sheep’s wool, which bears the worst possible environmental rating and often involves the mistreatment of the animals, hemp wool, for example, is ranked as a Class A material. Joining Rory McGowan to discuss this further is PETA’s Associate Director of Media and Communications Jennifer White.
Guests: Jennifer White
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This episode revisits the motivations, expectations and emotions in the past — reaching right back into childhood years — which may have led to an overweight problem today, and how to let go of that baggage. It discusses a personal challenge, of course, but it could be approached as an analogy for the way that the post-war call for Attleean universal welfare has driven seven decades of excess public spending so that our country is now groaning from the weight of excess debt. It might therefore help politicians to let go of their emotional baggage and focus on a new slimline style of government which targets help and support where it's needed.
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