AJ Bell Money & Markets

This week’s episode of the Money & Markets podcast explores the cost of putting food and drink on the table at Christmas, how supermarkets are coping in the festive season, and why higher cocoa prices could lead to a marriage of two chocolate giants. We talk to experts about big UK stocks and how Donald Trump’s return to the White House could impact green policies. You can also hear about changes to the FTSE 100, why the car finance scandal could be bigger than previous expected, and what’s going on with UK rental charges. Kicking things off, Danni Hewson has some interesting figures on the supermarket sector which is gearing up for one of its busiest times of the year. [1:38] Dan Coatsworth discusses how the cost of a Christmas dinner has gone up a lot this year. [4:35] The pair also chat about why a cup of coffee is going up yet again and why a hike in the price of cocoa might lead to a big US takeover deal. There is speculation that Cadbury’s owner Mondelez might have another go at buying Hershey’s. [8:08] The FTSE 100 index has going through a bit of a change with a few new members including Games Workshop, another set to leave over the next 12 to 18 months (Ashtead) and a new name which is big enough to join but won’t be given an admission ticket (Canal+). [13:23] The car finance scandal keeps getting bigger and the regulator has now said it could be on the scale of PPI which cost banks £50 billion. Dan has all the details. [17:50] Anna Farmbrough and Ben Needham from NinetyOne UK Equity Income fund join us on this week’s podcast to talk about Wetherspoons, Diageo and more. [22:06] Frustrated with the cost of renting in the UK? Danni has some potential good news. [35:50] We also hear from Impax Environmental Markets’ co-manager Fotis Chatzimichalakis about the potential change to green policies under Donald Trump. [39:04]

On this week’s AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast: the US-focused fund manager with a market-beating performance over the past 12 months and where he sees markets going next Stateside. The team talk ChatGPT and why car insurance should get cheaper next year. You can also hear about the challenges facing automotive companies, an expert on UK shares and big changes to Premium Bonds. Takeovers continue to come thick and fast on the UK market and Dan Coatsworth is here to talk about the latest deals being made. Tom Sieber also updates on the challenges in the automotive sector and why Elon Musk is being denied $56 billion. [10:52] Cormac Weldon from the Artemis US Select Fund talks to Dan about what Donald Trump could do next, and where he sees the US market heading in 2025. His fund has returned 38% in the 12 months to 2 December 2024 versus 33% from the S&P 500 index, in sterling terms. [14:07] Drivers could be in line for a £50 car insurance saving next year, predict experts. That’s down to an important change in how personal injury compensation payments are calculated. Tom explains all. [26:27] Dan has been celebrating ChatGPT’s second anniversary by digging into the impact it’s had on companies. [29:03] Amid news that NS&I is cutting the effective rate on Premium Bonds from January, Tom asks if the savings products are still worth it. [34:56] We also hear from Polar Capital UK Value Opportunities Fund manager Georgina Hamilton on the outlook for UK shares in 2025. [37:21]

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)