AJ Bell Money & Markets

This week on the AJ Bell Money and Markets podcast, Danni Hewson and Laura Suter dive into the latest market news, including Apple’s big investment plans [01:19] and BP’s plans to roll back it’s green investment after pressure from an activist investor [09:13]. We also look at why Tesla shares are under pressure [04:39] and discuss Unilever’s CEO stepping down after less than two years [14:30]. On the personal finance front, Laura explains the impact of the latest rise in Ofgem’s energy price cap and shares tips on how to cut household bills [17:56]. She also uncovers cash savings traps that could see you paying more tax than necessary. [24:19] For investors, Tom Sieber explores the best-performing dividend hero investment trusts, funds that deliver strong income without sacrificing returns [29:01]. And Dan Coatsworth speaks with Abbie Glennie from abrdn about why the UK stock market is showing signs of life [34:16].

In this week’s episode, Charlene Young and Laith Khalaf mull over the latest numbers from the UK banking sector after Barclays, NatWest and HSBC have posted their full year results. [1:30] There’s also been a slew of UK economic data over the last week, so we’ll be taking a look at the jobs figures and a big jump in inflation back up to 3%. We’ll also be asking whether we should be celebrating 0.1% growth in the economy. [6:23] Cash has also been making headlines, as NS&I changes its rates, and a record amount is reported sitting in bank accounts paying no interest. Meanwhile rumours are flying that the government might consider cutting back the cash ISA allowance. [15:42] The activist investor Saba is back with a new plan for its foray into the investment trust sector. Laith brings us up to speed with what’s going on. [25:20] Saba’s strategy isn’t unique; in fact, it’s the same one adopted by Migo Opportunities trust, yet the way Saba has gone about calling for change is different to Migo’s approach. Dan Coatsworth caught up with Migo’s co-manager Charlotte Cuthbertson to explore the differences. [28:55] Finally we’ll be asking if Elon Musk’s political affiliations might be starting to hurt his business interests, as protestors gather outside Tesla showrooms in the US. [40:10]

Carl Emmerson, Deputy Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, and Tom Selby, Director of Public Policy at AJ Bell, delve into the UK’s escalating tax burden, projected to hit 38.2% of GDP. They explore practical strategies for individuals to safeguard their finances from rising taxes, highlighting the merits of ISAs and the value of pension schemes. The duo also addresses the potential risks of over-investing in cash ISAs and offers insights into tax-efficient options like VCTs, ensuring listeners are equipped to navigate the intricacies of personal finance.

In this week’s episode, Charlene Young and Danni Hewson look at what’s happened since the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee cut the base rate to 4.5% last Thursday. Expectations for a cut were high so has the reaction from markets and mortgage lenders been unsurprising too? [01:30]  Danni gives the low down on the latest results from McDonald’s and BP. Does activist investor Eliott taking a stake in BP mean there is a reset on the horizon for the struggling energy giant? [11:57]  Elon Musk is back in the news again. Donald Trump’s right-hand man and head of DOGE has led a bid for OpenAI, the company he co-founded with current CEO Sam Altmann before their big fall out over the future of the ‘mission’. [17:46]  Charlene gives us a preview of an exciting new AJ Bell Money & Markets project.  Tom Sieber from Shares Magazine joins us to talk about defensive stocks. He explains what a defensive stock is, examines the traditional defensive sectors and reveals which metrics identify ‘defensiveness’. [23:17]  Dan Coatsworth interviews Guy Gittens, CEO of estate agent Foxtons to get his thoughts on where the property market could go next, the issues facing people who rent, and whether flaws in the Lifetime ISA are causing issues for prospective buyers in London. [28:46] 

Welcome to the latest episode of the AJ Bell Monet & Markets podcast. Tariffs have been on everyone’s minds this week and they’ve caused some big movements on the markets and dominated the discussion for many companies. Danni Hewson runs through the key points and how they relate to investments. [04:06] Tom Sieber and Ian Conway from Shares magazine explain why tariff issues have cast a cloud over Diageo and the key takeaways from its latest results. [13:04] A government consultation on Lifetime ISAs closed this week so Dan Coatsworth explores the pros and cons of the account and the changes AJ Bell hopes to see in the near future. [26:06] Rachel Vahey talks about new figures on changes to the UK population and how this links to pensions. [29:05] Danni and Dan take a look at the latest numbers from Alphabet, Disney, Estee Lauder, GSK and Mattel. [37:17] Dan also chats about how certain activist investors are getting what they want, with major changes announced at Smiths Group and YouGov. [49:35]

Investment trusts have been all over the news as activist investor Saba targets seven companies with the hope of gaining control and becoming the investment manager. Herald (HRI) shareholders have already voted Saba down and we’re about to find out the fate of the other six investment trusts. Laith Khalaf brings us up to speed on the key events. [01:32] Dan Coatsworth talks to James Carthew from research group QuotedData about what he thinks could happen next with Saba, and about the role of activist investors in general. [11:03] Ian Conway and Steve Frazer conduct a deep dive into Law Debenture (LWDB) investment trust [26:40] and Dan talks to Nicholas Weindling, fund manager of JPMorgan Japanese (JFJ) about what’s going on in that part of Asia. [37:30]

In this week’s episode, Dan Coatsworth and Laura Suter discuss the recent selloff in US tech stocks, and what sparked the market turmoil [01:32]. They also look at WHSmith’s potential sale of its UK business [06:27], and Diageo denying rumours about selling Guinness [09:17].  Laura looks at the frustration taxpayers are facing with HMRC’s long call wait times, as some new data is released showing how hard it is to reach the taxman [12:09], while Tom Sieber looks at attending a company AGM in person at SRT Marine Systems and why investor engagement matters [16:55].   Plus, Dan interviews Chris Tennant of Fidelity Emerging Markets to explore Donald Trump’s impact on emerging markets, why you might want EM exposure in your ISA or pension, and what’s next for China [24:26]. 

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast, Dan Coatsworth is joined by AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould to discuss how markets reacted to Donald Trump’s return to the White House [00:02:14]. From halting the TikTok ban to confusion about the President’s plans for tariffs, it’s already been a wild ride. Dan is joined by Danni Hewson to assess what’s behind the FTSE 100’s good run. The pair also consider what might happen next for UK interest rates given the latest economic data gives the Bank of England a lot to think about. [00:11:12] Government borrowing costs have shot up again but was that already priced into gilt yields and with pressure mounting on the Chancellor to spell out her plans for growth. [00:13:49] Dan and Danni discuss the role of regulators with a former Amazon boss now heading the CMA and plans from the FCA to relax mortgage lending rules. [00:17:21] Plus, Netflix hikes prices as subscriber numbers soar [00:31:38], why two brokers have very different views on Greggs [00:37:16] and James Flintoft, head of investment solutions at AJ Bell, updates us on asset allocation in AJ Bell funds [00:46:43].

The AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast team start this week’s episode with some good news as UK inflation took a surprise dip in December to 2.5%. Does this mean the chances of a February rate cut have jumped? Rachel Reeves has fought back in a Commons speech to defend her growth plans and although UK housebuilders have had a boost, other big companies continue to issue their own warnings. [01:02] Danni Hewson and Charlene Young discuss how the UK isn’t the only country facing increased borrowing costs after recent bond yield hikes, and they also chat about what higher gilt yields mean for personal finances. [08:37] Updates from BP, JD Sports and PageGroup painted a gloomy outlook but good news from Permission gave UK housebuilders a boost, even before a second bounce arrived following the inflation news. Charlene stays with housing, with a new IFS report on how more young people are residing in the Hotel of Mum and Dad. [23:10] Donald Trump will be back in the White House next week, so Danni spoke to Yoojeong Oh, manager of the Abrdn Asian Income Fund, to find out how tariffs might impact Asian markets and where opportunities for income generation lie [27:56]. A TikTok ban in the US is also due next week, but is there any hope for a reprieve? [41:53] Charlene finishes up with a timely reminder of the looming self-assessment deadline. [46:52]

On this week’s AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast, we dive into a story about seven investment trusts under attack from an activist investor. The big retail companies have started to report on Christmas trading and not everyone is smiling about the outlook. You can also hear about the changing cost of keeping the lights on at home and why the Lifetime ISA is under review. There’s been a sell-off in UK government bonds and the pound, causing jitters on the market at the start of the new year. Dan Coatsworth explains what’s going on. [00:02:06] Hedge fund Saba Capital has got its sights on the UK investment trust sector and wants to get behind the driving seat of seven names including Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust and Herald Investment Trust. Dan takes a closer look and chats about why it’s so important for investors to vote on the proposals and what could happen next. [00:05:14] Sue Inglis, an independent non-executive director from Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust, is on the podcast to share her experiences of being on the receiving end of an activist investor attack, and her thoughts on Saba’s proposals. [00:11:25] Gas and electricity bills went up again on 1 January, when the latest energy price cap took effect. Charlene Young considers the impact to UK households and what they can do about it. [00:19:08] Following a miserable final quarter for UK retail, we’ve now got a host of shopkeepers updating on trading and giving guidance for the year ahead. Tom Sieber looks at what Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Greggs and Next are saying, and what to expect from retailers in 2025. [00:23:09] Charlene considers the reasons why the Government has announced a review of the Lifetime ISA and what might happen next. [00:35:29] Finally, Danni Hewson chats to Dominic Weller, fund manager of the Octopus UK Future Generations Fund, about whether investing for change can also come with chunky returns now that interest rates are slowly on their way down. [00:40:17]