Podcast: Many Happy Returns

Contagion can be rapid, unpredictable and destabilising. When a financial institution gets into trouble, it can cause a chain reaction, punishing investors, banks and even countries. We discuss what factors cause these crises to spread and what we should do about it as investors. And in today’s Dumb Question of the Week: What is a...

On Friday last week, Silicon Valley Bank—the 16th biggest bank in the United States—succumbed to a bank run and was declared insolvent. With markets gripped by fear, the US authorities stepped in on Sunday night to guarantee customer deposits and backstop the financial system. But why did SVB collapse? What happens next? And what are...

After more than a decade of near zero interest rates, it is now possible to earn some income from cash and short-term investments. But where should you park your cash? There are many options from bank accounts to money market funds to bonds. Each come with their own benefits, risks and quirks. But why we...

Forged in the final moments of exploding neutron stars, gold has the best origin story of any asset. To some, gold’s scarcity and history make it the only real form of money. To others, it’s just a shiny rock. It’s claimed to be an inflation hedge, a trusted store of value, and the asset to...

Over the last 100 years, simply buying and holding the stock market would have made you rich. But that doesn’t stop people searching for ways to juice their returns. This week we discuss seven ways to slice the stock market. From sectors to factors to weightings, we look at different ways to tilt your portfolio....

One in five couples identify money as their greatest relationship challenge. And when it comes to investing, 40% of couples disagree on how much risk to take. So how should we grow wealth with our partners? And what strategies can help minimise disagreements along the way? And in today’s Dumb Question of the Week: On...

To be better investors, we need to make better decisions. With a few simple steps, we can structure our thinking and improve our investments. We all struggle with bias and unstructured thinking. But there are systems we can use that nudge us into making higher-quality decisions. We discuss framing decisions to align with investing goals,...

Justin Bieber sold his back catalogue for $200m. This follows eye-watering sales for megastars like Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Tina Turner. But why are music rights now the hottest asset on the planet? We discuss how the music industry has turned itself around, the risks of owning song rights, and whether royalties deserve a...

Institutional investors, hedge funds, and professional managers dominate financial markets. Collectively, they make up 90% of trading and are sometimes called ‘smart money’. But are they really that smart? Do they know something we don’t? And in today’s Dumb Question of the Week: What is a hedge fund? {{many-happy-returns-links}} {{pensioncraft-links}} {{disclaimer}} {{d-show-copyright}}

The United States is again toying with defaulting on its national debt. If the $31 trillion debt ceiling were breached without the limit being raised, it’s fair to say all hell would break loose. But how likely is a default? And what would happen to markets if the US really jumped off the cliff? And...

Global property is worth more than all the stocks and bonds in the world combined. It is a colossal asset class and the primary source of most people’s wealth. After a remarkable run-up during the pandemic, house prices have now started to drop. But how far could they fall? And what effect could it have...

Tesla’s stock price fell almost 70% in 2022 and was among the worst-performing stocks in the S&P 500. To some, Tesla is the poster child for innovation, set to dominate the global automotive industry for years. But to others, it’s the most egregious example of hype and bravado to emerge from the era of free...

So you’ve decided it’s time to overhaul your investment portfolio. Out with the old assets and in with the new. But hold on, before you press the sell button, there’s a lot to consider. Have you modelled your new portfolio? Have you found the cheapest funds? Have you thought about taxes? Today we discuss how...

A festive round-up of the major investing stories of 2022. We consider the trends that moved the market and ask which will continue into the next year. If you’ve ever wanted to hear ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ adapted for investors, today is your lucky day! And in today’s Dumb Question of the Week: Did...