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Victoria Scholar of Interactive Investor tells Simon Rose why, despite the general air of doom and gloom in the UK, the FTSE 100 index has been hitting record highs recently. She discusses recent results from Unilever, Shell & BP and points out the research suggesting that the UK might just manage to avoid a recession this year.

Guests: Victoria Scholar

Published: Thu 9 February 2023

The huge take-up of ChatGPT over recent weeks has brought the challenge of Artificial Intelligence into sharp relief. As the Chief Executive of its creator, OpenAI, said in one of his blogs, 'Artificial Intelligence will bring unimaginable wealth but, unless something changes, most of us will get none of it. We need a radical solution'. Conventional wisdom sees Universal Basic Income as the way through this dilemma, but this will only bring us more state intermediation and human subservience. We can put forward a better solution, by enabling all to share in the wealth that technology brings and to play their part in its future governance. Background music: 'Digital Solitude' by Silent Partner

Published: Mon 6 February 2023

Time is the scarce resource in human lives, and technology in its various forms swallows a lot of it for many of us. When its absorption into our lives becomes almost a habit or an addiction, it can cause us to miss opportunities and it can impact our character and even our identity. Whether it's gaming, social media or other online activity that turns you on, the emotional appeal is generally that instant gratification which pulls us away from experiencing real life and relationships. If you're concerned about being drawn into this trap of gaming and virtual experience, this episode could help you restore balance into your life.

Published: Sat 4 February 2023

Unemployment hit a 53-year low as Apple, Amazon, and Alphabet delivered their latest earnings reports. Ron Gross and Jason Moser discuss another interest rate hike and a surprising jobs report, Apple's first sales drop since 2019, Guidance overshadowing Amazon's holiday quarter, Starbucks struggling outside the U.S. and the latest from Alphabet, Meta Platforms, Exxon Mobil, and AMD. Then from 19 minutes in, Jason and Ron keep earnings-palooza going and discuss McDonald's ending the fiscal year on a high note, Match Group's disappointing results and layoff announcement, the latest from Qualcomm, Peloton, and Snap, and two stocks on their radar: Kinsale Capital Group and Samsara. Stocks discussed: AAPL, AMZN, GOOG, SBUX, META, XOM, INTC, AMD, MCD, QCOM, PTON, SNAP, MTCH, KNSL, IOT. Host - Chris Hill; Guests - Ron Gross, Jason Moser.

Guests: Ron Gross,Jason Moser

Published: Sat 4 February 2023

For the first time in a long time, Meta Platforms gave shareholders a reason to smile. Tim Beyers discusses 4th-quarter revenue coming in higher than expected for Meta, that $40 billion share buyback plan, and why AMD is demonstrating not all semiconductor chip companies are alike. Plus, 11 minutes in, how did Planet Fitness get the attention of the Federal Trade Commission? Ricky Mulvey and Sanmeet Deo discuss whether the low-cost gym deserves a spot on your watch list. Stocks discussed: META, INTC, AMD, PLNT. Host - Chris Hill; Guests - Tim Beyers, Sanmeet Deo.

Guests: Tim Beyers,Sanmeet Deo

Published: Sat 4 February 2023

Are we nearly there yet? The Bank of England hiked interest rates again this week, adding 0.5% to take base rate to 4%. That’s a level that it was almost unthinkable we’d reach so quickly a year ago, but rates have gone up hard and fast. The questions now are will base rate stall and when will it come back down again? But while the Bank of England has sent rates up like a rocket, its forecasts show that they will only fall like a feather. Georgie Frost, Tanya Jefferies and Simon Lambert look at how likely those forecasts are to be correct and what this all means for the economy, mortgages, savings and first-time buyers. Also on the show, Tanya explains another potential state pension scandal that she and Steve Webb have uncovered and Steve joins the podcast to talk through it. Sam North, of eToro, gives us a market update and explains why investors have sent stock markets soaring at the start of 2023. The clock is ticking on the tax year and Simon explains why he thinks the next couple of months are vitally important for getting money into an ISA and potentially selling some investments to do so. And finally, do you love your tumble dryer? Many do, but worry they can’t afford to run them. Fear not, help might be at hand.

Guests: Steve Webb,Sam North

Published: Sat 4 February 2023

Russ Mould of A J Bell looks at the MPC's decision to increase rates to 4%, the highest since 2008. Is it doing the right thing? He has crunched the numbers to reveal that the All Share has risen 11.5% during Sunak's 100 days as PM, second only to the rise when Edward Heath entered Number Ten (15.4%) and slightly ahead of Tony Blair (10.1%).

Guests: Russ Mould

Published: Thu 2 February 2023

James Cameron-Wilson on the UK box office, up 18% week-on-week. With Avatar 2 still #1, Hindi film Pathaan is #2 while #3 is Gerard Butler thriller Plane, which James found gripping and great fun. Steven Spielberg's semi-autobiographical film The Fabelmans is #4, which James thought playful and funny, with a dark undertone. Chinese film The Wandering Earth 2 makes #9 while James also enjoyed Netflix's Bank of Dave about Dave Fishwick taking on the banking establishment, despite it being cliche-ridden.

Guests: James Cameron-Wilson

Published: Thu 2 February 2023

It's gadget time with Steve Caplin, who tells Simon Rose about plans to reintroduce genetically-engineered dodos to Mauritius. There's also news of journalists being replaced with AI, music being generated by text and an audio prompt, AI passing the US law exams, how a flashing light can help you learn faster, Google laying off massage therapists, a robot to pick flowers, an app for when your phone battery is dying and why stargazing may soon become a thing of the past.

Guests: Steve Caplin

Published: Thu 2 February 2023

Political commentator Mike Indian looks at the political lie of the land after Rishi Sunak's first 100 days as Prime Minister. While believing he did the right thing when it came to Nadhim Zahawi, Mike feels that the Prime Minister needs to show more ruthlessness when it comes to his own party. As for the country as a whole, the current batch of strikes simply feed into the picture that nothing in Britain is working as it should.

Guests: Mike Indian

Published: Thu 2 February 2023