AJ Bell Money & Markets

This week on the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast, Charlene Young and Danni Hewson unpack the latest developments in global markets, from oil price volatility and the Strait of Hormuz to US inflation, bank earnings and what it all means for interest rates. They also assess Rachel Reeves' latest Mansion House speech and the outlook for UK economic growth.

Tom Sieber joins the show for a busy week of company news, with easyJet, Marks & Spencer, TikTok Shop, IBM, Barratt Redrow, PageGroup, Hays all making headlines.

Plus, Charlene explores the fastest fall in mortgage rates for almost two years, reveals what the latest HMRC figures tell us about Britain's growing tax burden, and looks at where holidaymakers will get the most value from their spending money this summer.

 

Topics covered
[00:08] Introduction & market roundup
[02:09] Strait of Hormuz, oil prices and global trade
[10:41] US inflation, bank earnings and interest rates
[13:41] Rachel Reeves' Mansion House speech
[15:50] easyJet update
[17:23] Marks & Spencer and TikTok Shop
[23:14] Buy Now, Pay Later regulation changes
[25:26] Shares magazine highlights with Tom Sieber
[27:33] IBM results and tech spending trends
[30:07] PayPal takeover approach
[32:28] Barratt Redrow update and shareholder returns
[35:23] Recruitment sector outlook: PageGroup & Hays
[38:01] Paramount-Warner Bros deal challenges
[40:10] Mortgage rates fall sharply
[42:00] HMRC tax data and fiscal drag
[46:43] Holiday spending money: where the pound goes furthest

Have you ever held Premium Bonds for years without winning a prize?

You're not alone. In this week’s AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast, Dan Coatsworth and Charlene Young reveal fascinating insights into Premium Bonds and explain what millions of holders who have never won a prize could have earned elsewhere.

They discuss the eye-watering increase in probate costs, a report branding student loans as ‘mis-sold’, and what Terry Smith’s latest shareholder letter could mean for investors in the Fundsmith Equity Fund.

In the markets section, we cover Sky’s move for parts of ITV, the latest twist in EasyJet’s takeover story, and some intriguing developments at SpaceX. Dan also discusses the market sell-off as Donald Trump says the US/Iran peace deal is over.

Finally, AJ Bell investment experts Ryan Hughes and James Flintoft join Hannah Williford for a lively debate on artificial intelligence, its investment potential, and whether the hype is justified.

0:00 Introduction

2:05 Premium Bonds: what millions of savers may be missing

5:19 Probate costs set for a dramatic rise

12:06 Student loans branded 'mis-sold'

18:11 Is Terry Smith reinventing Fundsmith Equity fund?

24:39 World Cup fever and the UK economy

26:34 Sky buys parts of ITV

30:06 EasyJet takeover speculation

31:59 Market sell-off as peace deal falls apart

33:45 This is what brokers are saying about SpaceX 36:20 AI investing debate

In this monthly special of the AJ Bell Investment Trust Show, Dan Coatsworth and Hannah Williford discuss some positive progress for the industry, while Eve Maddock-Jones and Martin Gamble explore a few cases of trust that are trading on a premium.

Then, Dan speaks to HG Capital to discuss how the private equity trust is investing in the AI boom, followed by Hannah, who speaks with Rob Lloyd from JPM Asia Growth and Income on their approach to the AI sector, and what’s being overlooked.

Finally, Dan gets the scoop on annual general meetings, and what investors might get out of them, with Temple Bar Investment Trust’s Charles Cade.

[00:00] Introduction

[01:29] Dan and Hannah speak about narrowing discounts in the investment trust industry

[07:50] Eve and Martin discuss a group of trusts trusts trading on a premium

[16:22] Dan interviews HG Capital on investing in AI in the private equity space

[31:58] Hannah interviews JPM Asia Growth and Income on if AI can continue to grow returns in Asia, and what’s happened to India

[50:55]]Dan speaks to Charles Cade from Temple Bar about what investors can get out of annual general meetings

[1:00:50]Outro

In this episode of the AJ Bell Money and Markets podcast, Charlene Young and Sarah Coles discuss the dash for cash ISAs ahead of allowance changes, what Andy Burnham could mean for your money, the financial side of marriage amid rumours around Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, why July matters for the self-employed, and JISA performance data. Meanwhile, 16-year old Tilly joins them to share her perspective on what should be done about lost Child Trust Funds.

Dan Coatsworth rounds up the week’s market news, including updates on Associated British Foods, Sainsbury’s and gold, and speaks to Paul Niven from F&C Investment Trust about what recent market movements mean for investors.

 

[00:09] Intro

[01:29] Associated British Foods results

[02:48] Sainsburys Update

[03:54] Gold loses its shine

[05:03] Interview Paul Niven, manager of the F&C Investment Trust

[12:43] What Andy Burnham’s approach means for your money

[19:52] The dash for cash ISAs continues

[24:02] July deadline for self-employed

[27:12] Taylor Swift and the benefits of marriage

[35:06] Tooth Fairy inflation

[38:13] Junior ISA performance

[42:14] Lost child trust funds

Political turmoil is shaking the UK as the nation awaits a new prime minister. Danni Hewson and Dan Coatsworth break down what an Andy Burnham victory could mean for markets, your investments and your money – plus the potential next Chancellor.

We also cover falling oil prices, tech stock volatility, SpaceX’s wild IPO ride, and big moves from takeover target EasyJet.

In personal finance, Rachel Vahey explains major tax-related changes to ISAs and plans for a new First Time Buyer ISA, while Ruffer’s Ian Rees joins us to debate whether the classic 60/40 portfolio still works.

Burnham PM? Markets, chancellor contenders & your money [0:01:36]
Oil plunges as US–Iran talks progress [0:12:31]
Tech stocks hit – should you worry? [0:15:43]
SpaceX IPO chaos: shares swing wildly [0:20:33]
EasyJet rejects takeover bid [0:25:31]
Cash ISA changes explained [0:30:46]
New ISA for first-time buyers? [0:35:05]
Is 60/40 dead? Ruffer's Ian Rees weighs in [0:38:08]
Heatwave winners and losers: who is in the frame? [0:55:08]