AJ Bell Money & Markets

Bringing you the latest personal finance and stock market insights

  1. FEB 6

    Space X buys Xai, a new boss for Disney and why NS&I premium bonds are so popular

    On this week’s episode of the AJ Bell Money and Markets podcast Danni Hewson and Laura Suter dig into what has been another action-packed week with Space X buying fellow Elon Musk vehicle Xai ahead of the companies anticipated IPO [01:32]. Danni checks out why Anthropic’s new AI tools resulted in a global sell off in companies like Sage, Pearson and Legal Star [06:33]. Disney delivered a crowd-pleasing update, but it was all about the exit of CEO Bob Seager and whether this handover will be smoother than the last [10:16]. Plus, Walmart becomes the first retailer to hit a $1 trillion dollar valuation [13:54] and gold and silver prices fall back after Donald Trump unveils his pick for the Fed [16:43]. There’s plenty to go at on the personal finance front with Santander becoming the biggest lender to offer a mortgage with just a 2% deposit for first time buyers [20:46], but new data shows one in three of those taking their first steps on the housing ladder are doing it with a 25% deposit [18:32]. Plus, an estimated 1 million people have missed the self-assessment tax return deadline. [24:59] We’ve got two guest interviews this week, first with Andrew Westhead, retail director at NS&I, about what makes premium bonds the most popular savings product in the UK [29:56]. And with Kier Starmer becoming the latest world leader to thaw relations with China, Chris Tennant from Fidelity Emerging Markets discusses if that makes China more investible and the allure of companies like TSMC benefiting from the AI boom [44:31].

    56 min
  2. FEB 2

    Investment Trust Show: Getting rich from healthcare

    Welcome to the monthly bonus episode of the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast all about investment trusts, presented by Dan Coatsworth and Hannah Williford.  The pair discuss the outlook for activist investors in the investment trust space, the extent to which Saba is involved in the industry, and who could be the next targets. [02:05]  Dan talks to Ed Cartright, CEO of Arcus Investment, about a desire to replace the manager at Baillie Gifford Shin Nippon and take over running the trust. [15:13]  This episode’s big theme is the healthcare space [25:37]. Dan talks to Gareth Powell from Polar Capital Global Healthcare Trust about why the sector disappointed for several years and has now burst back to life; as well as the underappreciated importance of generic drugs.  Martin Gamble talks to Oliver Kenyon from RTW Investments about why big drug companies are buying small biotech firms.  Dan also chats to Trevor Polishchuk from Worldwide Healthcare on how pharma companies have effectively been forced to invest heavily in the US to avoid tariffs; why Donald Trump has launched a website so consumers can buy medicines direct from manufacturers; and the outlook for drug pricing globally.   Finally, Hannah interviews Carlos Hardenberg from the Mobius Investment Trust about dealing with political turmoil in emerging markets, and how he safeguards his investments from it. [49:37]  Download AJ Bell’s free report on activists in the investment trust space: https://www.ajbell.co.uk/investment/investment-trust-report

    1h 2m
  3. JAN 23

    Buy and sell ratings on stocks: do they ever work?

    This episode of the AJ Money & Markets podcast explores the world of shares, pensions, property, wills, and much more.  Dan Coatsworth examines how financial markets have reacted to Donald Trump’s threats to take over Greenland. Gold is closing in on $5,000 per ounce as investors seek assets that have historically protected people in tough times. [03:21]  We’ve just had the second FTSE 100 takeover bid of 2026, and we’re only weeks into the new year. Dan talks about the bid for Beazley, and the downside if it disappears from the UK stock market. [07:16]  When the pensions lifetime allowance was abolished in 2024, it created a myth that age 75 no longer matters in the world of pensions. Charlene Young explains why 75 is still incredibly important. [08:53]  Discover how much first-time buyers need for a 10% deposit on a home in different parts of the country, and what the latest inflation figures mean for the direction of interest rates and mortgages in 2026. [14:08]  It’s important to have a will so your assets go to the people of your choice when you die, but lawyers are now saying certain wills might be invalid. Charlene reveals all. [19:08]  AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould talks to Dan about what buy, hold, sell ratings on shares really mean, how they’re created, and which UK stocks have the most or least of certain types of ratings. [25:13]  Finally, Danni Hewson talks to James Flintoft from AJ Bell’s investments team about how AJ Bell funds performed last year and his thoughts on the year ahead. [35:14]

    41 min

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Bringing you the latest personal finance and stock market insights

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