AJ Bell Money & Markets

On this month’s bonus podcast focusing on investment trusts, the AJ Bell Money & Markets team dig into star performers, US trusts and global small caps. Dan Coatsworth talks to Julian Bishop, co-manager of Brunner Investment Trust which is celebrating one of its best years in a long time. Julian explains how the trust has done well, his thoughts on the Magnificent Seven, why he’s sold out of weight-loss drug provider Novo-Nordisk, and what could happen in 2025. [01:16] Steve Frazer and Tom Sieber take a deep dive into Manchester & London, one of this year’s best performing trusts. While returns have been strong in 2024, the trust has attracted its fair share of critics over the years, so Steve and Tom take a balanced look at the company. [22:34] Following the US election, Martin Gamble and Ian Conway talk about the differences between the range of US-focused investment trusts that trade on the UK stock market and what they’re trying to achieve. [35:22] We’ve also got a chat with Columbia Threadneedle fund manager Nish Patel about The Global Smaller Companies Trust. [47:16]

This week’s episode of the AJ Bell Money and Markets podcast looks at the challenges being faced by global automakers. (01:31) In the UK the speed of the transition to net zero and fines for not meeting targets has been cited as one reason behind Stellantis’ decision to close its factory in Luton. The government has said it will consult on the phase out as Ford’s UK boss calls for incentives for motorists. (06:42) Danni Hewson explains how Donald Trump’s threat to introduce tariffs on day one of his presidency is likely to hit the auto sector particularly hard including US firms like General Motors which has a huge manufacturing hub in Mexico. There’s been a flurry of takeover action on London markets (10:15) with Direct Line turning down Aviva’s approach which would create the UK’s largest car insurer, but pub and restaurant group Lounger’s is backing a £338 million bid from Fortress saying its growth hasn’t been reflected by its market valuation. (23:16 )With Christmas fast approaching Laura Suter looks into warnings that many Black Friday deals aren’t all they’re cracked up to be and assesses a warning from HMRC that scammers are using the lure of tax rebates to catch people out. With the number of UK adults owning crypto currencies on the rise the FCA has said it will finally look to regulate the sector.  A third of investors wrongly believe they could complain to the regulator if something went wrong. (28:23) Plus, Imogen Harris from the Premier Miton Global Smaller Companies Fund on why a $22 billion company is considered to be a small cap in the UK (14:16) and Nick Clay from Redwheel Global Equity Income Fund on whether companies now care more about share buybacks than dividends (39:31)

This week’s episode of the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast compares challenges in the UK and US retail sectors, examines Nvidia’s latest results and talks about why so few of us are using cash day-to-day. We’ve also got interviews with AJ Bell’s CEO and an Asia-focused fund manager who hates China. Danni Hewson explains the latest UK inflation figures and what they mean for savers, investors and borrowers. [01:02] Nvidia caused quite a stir with its latest financial results and Dan Coatsworth is on the podcast to explain exactly what’s going on. [06:47] There’s been a lot of grumbling from the heads of UK high street companies following the Budget last month and this week the government was presented with a letter from some of the country’s biggest retailers. Find out what some of the biggest names in industry had to say. [10:45] The podcast also looks at what some of the major names in US retail are saying about the state of the consumer Stateside, including Walmart, Target and TJX. [16:11] Even though the Budget is now in the rear-view mirror, many investors are still getting to grips with what it means for them. One person who is acutely aware of the challenges it has created is Michael Summersgill, chief executive of AJ Bell. Don’t miss what he has to say on this week's podcast. [22:37] Do you still pay for things with coins or notes, or are you completely dependent on cards? New research would suggest not many of us carry change in our pocket. Danni and Dan talk notes, coins and card-readers galore. [29:44] Finally, Asia can be a fruitful place to find dividends and Jason Pidcock from Jupiter Asian Income Fund has been investing in the Asia Pacific region since the early 1990s. Dan met up with Jason to talk about the hunt for income, his thoughts on China, and why a Trump victory puts the spotlight on one of the most important companies in the global semiconductor supply chain. [36:02]

On this week’s episode, Charlene Young and Laith Khalaf talk you through the impact on business of rising National Insurance and minimum wage bills. Plus, labour market data for the period to September showed us the gloomy reality for businesses before the Budget as stalling investment and hiring plans fuelled rising redundancies and unemployment. The Bank of England voted 8-1 to cut interest rates last week but forecasts published alongside the announcement give us an insight into just how inflationary the bank thinks Rachel Reeves’ Budget will prove, and the likelihood of her achieving her pledge of ‘growth, growth, growth’. Bitcoin gets a double mention – not only has it been breaking records but a UK pension scheme has announced it will be allocated 3% of its assets to diversify its investment base, in a break with tradition in the pension space. [11:42] Dan Coatsworth interviews Jack Caffrey from the JP Morgan American Investment Trust for his take on the US election and why the market reacted like it did to that Donald Trump victory. [25:21] It’s also looking like a record year for flows into Exchange Traded Funds. What are ETFs are what has made them so popular? [39:14] We also discuss why first-time buyers might find the frozen Lifetime ISA property limit locks them out of their dream family home [44:00], and outflows from Fundsmith Equity [50:01].