Investing, Markets & Money

In this episode of Investing, Markets & Money, we’re joined by @CMEGroup Chief Economist Erik Norland to break down what futures markets are really telling us about the global economy.

We discuss:

- Why inflation — not recession — is the market’s biggest fear
- What soaring gold, silver, and platinum prices are signalling
- How futures markets act as an early warning system
- Why the bond market may be smarter than the stock market
- What the yield curve tells us about growth, rates, and recession risk
- How central bank policy and government debt are reshaping markets
- Which futures markets affect mortgages, fuel prices, and everyday costs

This conversation explains how professional investors read futures, bonds, and commodities — often before the headlines catch up.

If you want clearer insight into inflation, interest rates, gold, bonds, and where markets may be heading next, this episode is for you.

#Investing #FinancialMarkets #Economy #Inflation #Recession #FuturesMarkets #BondMarket
#GoldPrice #InterestRates #YieldCurve #MacroEconomics #Commodities #MarketOutlook #InvestingPodcast

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Use the chapters to jump to inflation, gold, bonds, or futures market signals.

00:00 What Futures Markets Reveal About the Economy
00:42 What CME Group Does (And Why It Matters)
01:59 How Futures Markets Signal Economic Direction
04:01 Inflation vs Recession: What Markets Fear Most
05:31 Why Central Banks Treat Gold Like a Currency
06:15 Is the Bond Market Smarter Than the Stock Market?
09:10 Bond Vigilantes, Government Debt & Market Discipline
10:42 What a 100-Year Bond Really Tells Investors
12:04 Can Futures Markets Predict Headlines?
13:11 Market Fear, Volatility & the VIX Explained
14:52 Which Futures Markets Affect Everyday Life?
16:26 Commodities as Portfolio Diversifiers
18:11 The Yield Curve Explained (Without Jargon)
20:22 What the Yield Curve Signals Right Now
21:12 One Rule Retail Investors Should Follow in Futures
24:15 Education, Risk & Using Futures Responsibly

Is the UK commercial real estate market poised for a massive rebound?

In this episode, Bradley Biggins from Schroder Real Estate Investment Trust reveals why we may have reached a critical turning point. Following a 25% valuation correction, Schroder now forecasts total returns of 8 - 10% per annum over the next four years.

Discover how high construction costs are limiting supply and driving rental growth, while the ‘Green Premium’ sees sustainable assets commanding rents up to 40% higher than older units. We also explore the impact of interest rates and hybrid working on future property returns.

00:00 Intro to Schroder Real Estate
01:20 How healthy is the UK's commercial real estate market?
03:18 What's the big drag on lack of supply?
03:53 How has investor appetite varied?
04:56 How do interest rates affect the market?
06:19 EPC ratings
08:17 Occupier sentiment and hybrid working
09:48 Private equity geting involved in the market
11:24 Schroder Real Estate paying dividends
13:39 New acquisitions and disposals
16:54 When to redevelop and when to buy from new
18:31 What's the key selling point for UK commercial property?

In this episode, we sit down with Dr Mike Jones, Managing Director of Impact Minerals [ASX:IPT], to discuss the incredible potential of High Purity Alumina (HPA). From preventing Tesla battery fires to creating scratch-proof sapphire glass, HPA is the critical mineral you haven't heard of yet.

Mike explains how the unique Lake Hope Project in Western Australia aims to become the lowest-cost HPA producer globally. We dive into the economics of the project, the recent acquisition of game-changing processing technology, and what this means for investors.

Topics covered:
What is High Purity Alumina (HPA)?
The role of HPA in Lithium-Ion battery safety.
How Impact Minerals plans to undercut global production costs.
The $1.2 Billion AUD project valuation.

Disclaimer: The content of this video is for information and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research.

#ImpactMinerals #LakeHope #LithiumBattery #HPA #AustralianMining #SyntheticSapphire #Semiconductor #BatteryTech #MikeJones #alumina

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Quantum computing is moving from theory to reality — and investors are paying attention. In this episode, we break down the future of quantum computing investing, including the race toward Q-day, the rise of post-quantum cryptography, and the companies pushing innovation forward.

Our guest, WisdomTree’s Elvira Kuramshina, explains how quantum computers actually work, why they won’t replace classical systems, and the sectors likely to see the biggest disruption across cybersecurity, cloud computing, drug discovery, finance, and more.

If you want to understand quantum investing opportunities, the risks, and the timeline to commercialisation, this episode is for you.

Topics we cover:

- How quantum computers differ from classical machines
- Q-day and its impact on global cybersecurity
- Post-quantum cryptography and new NIST standards
- Public companies leading early quantum adoption
- How to approach quantum computing investing
- Long-term risks and opportunities for markets

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Chapters:

00:00 What is quantum computing?
04:07 Where does quantum computing fit with AI?
05:37 What is Q-day and why does it matter?
12:27 The quantum ecosystem: hardware, software & cloud
15:04 Quantum computing Government strategies
17:58 Quantum safe standards to future proof systems
19:28 How to think about quantum computing investing
24:16 Are there expansion constraints of the technology?
27:50 Building a quantum computing investment strategy

In this episode of Investing, Markets & Money, we dive into one of the most common questions for new investors in the UK: how do you actually start investing? Whether you're thinking about opening your first Stocks & Shares ISA, exploring SIPPs, or trying to understand the difference between funds, ETFs and individual shares, this episode breaks everything down in plain English.

We’re joined by Richard Hunter, Head of Markets at Interactive Investor, winner of the “Best Investment Platform” at the Online Money Awards. Richard shares super-useful insights for beginners — from why keeping all your money in cash can cost you over time, to how diversification works, and why compounding is such a powerful long-term force.

In this episode:

Why investing often beats cash over the long run

The best tax-efficient accounts: ISA vs SIPP

Should beginners buy funds, ETFs, or shares?

How diversification really works (and what mistakes to avoid)

The power of compound interest

Hands-off investing options for people who don’t want to stock-pick

What Interactive Investor offers for new, early-stage investors

If you're just starting your investment journey — or thinking about taking your first step — this episode gives you the confidence and clarity you need.

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00:00 Introduction to Interactive Investors
02:37 Why should people invest?
04:02 Tax-efficient structures
06:05 Do people tend to buy just stocks, just funds or a mix?
08:42 Investing in what you know
09:18 What help do ii provide to new investors?
10:28 Diversifying your investments
12:35 Having to part with winners
13:53 Compounding
14:59 How often to check your portfolio
16:24 Don't want to make the decisions yourself?
17:33 Find out more about Interactive Investor at ii.co.uk