How to Start Investing in the UK | ISAs vs SIPPs, ETFs, Diversification & Beginner Mistakes
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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👉 Check out more resources at www.ii.co.uk
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Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-armchair-trader-podcast/id1454640070
Amazon - https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/68a66097-24d8-403e-a86f-70fab0d2d686/The-Armchair-Trader-Podcast
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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
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How Nano One Is Breaking China’s Grip on the Global Battery Supply Chain - with CEO Dan Blondal
In this episode of the Investing, Markets & Money podcast, host Stuart Fieldhouse talks with Dan Blondal, CEO of Nano One Materials, about the company’s latest breakthroughs in lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery technology — and what they mean for investors.
Nano One has secured $5 million in new funding from Natural Resources Canada, complementing earlier support from the U.S. Department of Defense and the Government of Quebec, as it scales up its LFP demonstration plant. Blondal explains how this non-dilutive capital helps the company grow while building a cleaner, more sustainable battery supply chain for North America and beyond.
We also dive into:
⚡ How Nano One’s patented “one-pot process” eliminates wastewater and reduces costs
🌍 Why governments are backing the decoupling of battery supply chains from China
🤝 Strategic partnerships with Sumitomo Metal Mining and Rio Tinto
🇺🇸 The rise of the Arkansas Lithium Technology Accelerator (ALTA)
💡 What investors can expect next as Nano One expands into Europe
If you’re following the EV, clean-tech, or battery materials sectors — or just want to understand where the next big opportunities lie — this is a must-listen conversation.
Visit the Nano One website: https://nanoone.ca/
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00:00 More funding for Nano One
02:57 Geopolitical background and decoupling from China
07:52 The Sumitomo collaboration
10:14 Joining the Arkansas Lithium Technology Accelerator (ALTA) program
14:00 Why is Arkansas taking the lead?
15:26 The Rio Tinto partnership
17:35 New patents approved
18:31 Impact of China's export restrictions
22:27 Nano One's involvement with Europe and the G7
24:39 Future plans
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How Metalla Royalty Makes Money From Gold Without Mining | Brett Heath Interview
In this episode of the Investing, Markets & Money podcast from The Armchair Trader, we talk with Brett Heath, CEO of Metalla Royalty & Streaming (NYSE/TSX: MTA) — an innovative company in the gold and mining royalty space.
Brett explains how royalty companies make money without ever operating a mine, the growth story behind Metalla’s $700 million market cap, and why royalties can offer investors exposure to gold, silver, and copper without the same risks faced by traditional miners.
Topics covered:
• How royalty and streaming models work
• Metalla’s $6M investment that became a major gold discovery
• Why the royalty model scales with minimal overhead
• Outlook for gold, silver, and copper in 2025–2030
• The next growth phase for Metalla Royalty
Find more on Metalla Royalties and Streaming. Visit the website: https://www.metallaroyalty.com/
📩 Subscribe to our free newsletter for reglar insights on Stocks, ETFs, Commodities, and Global Markets: https://www.thearmchairtrader.com/newsletter/
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00:00 Intro to Metalla Royalty and how royalty companies work
03:51 Hanging on to portfolio companies
05:09 How Metalla sources investments
07:45 Metalla's plans for the next year or two
12:49 Spread of gold, silver and copper companies
13:58 Operational and downside risks
18:16 Criteria for new investments
23:20 Commodity cycle outlook and growing the business
26:56 How do mining companies pay - cash or bullion?
31:24 Can production satisfy projected demand?
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Gold, Debt & AI: What’s Really Driving Markets Right Now | Michael Brown, Pepperstone
Gold and silver are on fire — but can the rally last? In this episode of Investing, Markets & Money, host Stuart Fieldhouse talks with Michael Brown of Pepperstone about what’s really moving global markets.
They break down the surge in precious metals, the renewed fears around U.S. banks, and whether debt and deficits could finally catch up with policymakers. Michael shares insights on U.S.–China trade tensions, the AI-driven S&P 500 rally, and why UK stocks remain chronically undervalued.
You can find more market insight from Michael and the Pepperstone team here - https://pepperstone.com/en-gb/analysis/
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00:00 Precious metals: gold and silver trades
04:50 The US Dollar and US banks
07:45 US debt and borrowing trends
11:25 Tariffs and the US-China trade war
15:25 The S&P 500 and the AI bubble
21:05 UK stocks and the UK budget
25:22 Why such intense speculation on the Budget?
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Is Now the Right Time to Buy UK Mid-Cap Stocks? with Jean Roche, Schroders | Ep.150
Host Stuart Fieldhouse chats with Jean Roche, manager of the Schroders UK Mid-Cap Investment Trust, to discuss what defines a mid-cap stock, the FTSE 250 outlook, share buybacks, and where she’s finding opportunity in UK defence and retail stocks.
If you’ve been wondering whether UK equities are undervalued or how mid-cap investing compares to large and small-cap strategies, this episode offers deep insight from one of the most experienced managers in the market.
Our thanks to Schroders for the use of their studio for this episode. You can find out more about Schroder UK Mid-Cap Fund here - https://www.schroders.com/en-gb/uk/individual/funds-and-strategies/investment-trusts/schroder-uk-mid-cap-fund-plc/
🎧 Subscribe for more investing insights and market analysis every week.
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Listen on:
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Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-armchair-trader-podcast/id1454640070
Amazon - https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/68a66097-24d8-403e-a86f-70fab0d2d686/The-Armchair-Trader-Podcast
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Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheArmchairTrader
00:00 What is a Mid Cap stock?
02:00 Jean's investment philosophy regarding Mid Caps
05:05 Why so many share buybacks right now?
08:13 Why Mid Caps and not Large Caps?
11:25 The wider UK economy and equity market
15:18 UK sectors and themes to watch
18:28 When a company makes it into the FTSE 100
22:20 How does Jean protect the downside risk?
25:00 Key contributors to the trust's performance
27:17 Looking ahead to UK market opportunites and risks
The Armchair Trader Editor, Stuart Fieldhouse calls on his wealth of experience within the financial markets and extensive network of connections to bring you this investing podcast.
Stuart invites guests on to the show each week to discuss important themes within the financial markets. His guests include CEO’s of listed companies from around the world, from micro cap stocks to large established businesses. He speaks with Fund Managers about stock picking and the markets in which they operate, and he chats with Market Analysts about a range of topics that offer a broader view of the markets as well as insight on topical themes and trends.
Listen on SoundCloud, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.
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