Money Maze Podcast

Carson Block, Founder and CEO of Muddy Waters, specializes in short activism and is known for his in-depth investigations into troubled companies. In this engaging discussion, he highlights the evolving landscape of short selling post-COVID, the challenges faced amidst bullish market trends, and the role of AI in identifying potential short candidates. Block reflects on the need for resilience in a speculative market, the ethical dilemmas of financial practices, and opportunities in emerging sectors like Vietnam's resources, painting a complex picture of today's investment climate.

Neil Woodford, a renowned British fund manager often dubbed 'Britain’s Warren Buffett', shares his rollercoaster investment journey. He discusses his triumphs during his years at Invesco Perpetual and the lessons learned from managing £15bn. Delving into the pivotal moments that led to his fund's suspension, he reflects on the pitfalls of shifting to illiquid assets. Woodford also tackles the complexities of regulatory pressures and the innovative yet challenging landscape for UK small to mid-sized companies, while remaining optimistic about future investment opportunities.

Scott Kleinman, Co-President of Apollo Asset Management, shares insights from his extensive experience in a firm managing over $750 billion. He dives into the fascinating convergence of public and private markets, highlighting how traditional investment strategies are evolving. Kleinman discusses the impacts of passive investing on market dynamics and liquidity. He also addresses opportunities outside the US and emphasizes the importance of hard work and curiosity for the youth, reminding listeners to always ask 'why?'. A treasure trove of finance wisdom!

Howard Marks, Co-founder of Oaktree Capital Management, is a celebrated voice in investing, known for his insightful memos. In this engaging conversation, he emphasizes that it's not about what you buy, but what you pay. Marks discusses the necessity of being contrarian and warns against the perils of overconfidence. He shares how human emotions influence market cycles and the importance of intellectual humility when navigating uncertainty. Additionally, he touches on the implications of rising government debt while advocating for personal fulfillment over pure profit.

In this episode we’ve been very fortunate to find someone who ranks amongst the most qualified anywhere in the world to discuss this topic. He was the former CFO of Billiton, then as CEO, built Xstrata into one of the world’s largest diversified mining companies, helping grow their market value from US$500m to US$60bn, at one point employing over 90,000 people. In this conversation we examine the most important supply and demand mismatches of critical materials. We assess the energy transition, discuss where the opportunities and challenges lie, what Vision Blue Resources is seeking to build, and how investors are positioned. We expand the conversation to discuss valuation opportunities in the wider commodity space, geopolitical hotspots and their implications for commodity prices.  Mick also talks about effective management, building optionality into your business and why investors misunderstand how mining companies frequently demonstrate much better governance and responsibility than standard thinking suggests. ​​The Money Maze Podcast is kindly sponsored by Schroders, IFM Investors, World Gold Council and LSEG. Sign up to our Newsletter | Follow us on LinkedIn | Watch on YouTube

Star Trek’s opening lines were potent: "Space: The final frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise. Its mission? To boldly go where no man has gone before!” Whether Star Trek or Star Wars, such films offered tantalising glimpses of another world. But it’s actually here now! The WEF & McKinsey predict that the space sector will reach a value of $1.8tn by 2035. That’s only 1 decade ahead! Mark is CEO of the world’s first listed space tech fund, Seraphim Space, and he discusses this final frontier. He explains what is going on in the world of space and where there is money to be made.   Mark first discusses why Elon Musk has transformed the industry by lowering the price point of launch in such a gargantuan way and why the worlds of public and private are scrambling for a piece of the action. He describes their investment process, how targets are identified, weighed, and capital allocated. He explains why data, digital infrastructure, communications, health and space debris are priorities, with their emphasis on profitable, shorter term opportunities. He discusses why the militaries are disproportionately investing, where he thinks money will be made, and why the Seraphim Investment Trust’s discount is a source of continued frustration. ​​The Money Maze Podcast is kindly sponsored by Schroders, World Gold Council, LSEG and IFM Investors. Sign up to our Newsletter | Follow us on LinkedIn | Watch on YouTube

James Anderson, a renowned investor and Managing Partner at Lingotto, shares his transformative journey in equity investing. He discusses the inadequacies of traditional evaluation methods, focusing instead on innovative approaches tailored for the tech-driven market. The conversation touches on how successful investments in companies like Tesla and Amazon reflect changing dynamics, and addresses the critical gap in Europe’s ambition for long-term investment success. The debate on the benefits of public versus private ownership further enriches this insightful dialogue.

Discover valuable career tips from top financial executives. They share insights on the importance of creativity and differentiation in navigating the finance industry. Self-awareness and resilience are emphasized for personal growth. Learn the significance of investing time to understand complex concepts and the necessity of mentorship for stress management. Additionally, explore how building supportive networks empowers success, especially for women in finance. These lessons inspire a unique approach to career paths in a rapidly changing landscape.

Luba Nikulina, Chief Strategy Officer at IFM Investors and former Head Global of Research at WTW, dives into the booming world of infrastructure investment. She discusses its growing prominence as a mainstream asset class, likening it to private equity. Luba highlights why countries like Australia and Canada are leading with significant allocations, while others catch up. She also examines the resilience of infrastructure against external shocks and explores the role of government policies in fostering investment opportunities, particularly in renewable energy.

Reflecting on an exciting year, the show celebrates surpassing 2 million downloads and over 200 interviews. Notable figures from finance and geopolitics, including former leaders, share their insights. New initiatives, such as a multilingual series and educational programs, highlight a commitment to accessible finance. The conversation about future directions promises continued growth and innovation, keeping listeners engaged and informed.