Podcast: Many Happy Returns

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2022 has been a horror show in markets. A nightmare on Wall Street. But every crisis presents opportunities for investors. This week we look at six different assets and consider if they may be about to rise from the grave. US small-cap stocks Chinese equity TIPS Commodities Ethereum Annuities And in today’s Dumb Question of...
The gilt market was the last place anyone expected systemic risk to almost blow up the UK pensions industry, force the Bank of England into emergency bond purchases, cause the chancellor to be sacked, and make the government reverse its flagship economic policy. But are we now out of the woods? And what other markets...
Interest rates are rising at breakneck speed and the impact on the value of assets is profound. We look at how stocks, bonds, gold and property respond to climbing rates. And consider whether any assets might actually benefit from rising rates? We dig into why interest rates are so influential for asset prices. So if...
Everyone loves a list: Buzzfeed, Santa, even God himself. But if you had to list the ten most important investing principles, what would you choose? These are our guidelines for how to sustainably grow your wealth while enjoying the journey and avoiding catastrophic loss. And in today’s Dumb Question of the Week: What is asset...
On Friday, the UK chancellor unveiled his ‘mini-budget’ with the most significant tax cuts in 50 years. The market reaction was swift and brutal. Sterling crashed to a record low versus the dollar, and UK borrowing costs spiked. We ask why the market reacted so negatively and what it means for those of us who...
Mary Childs (financial journalist and co-host of NPR’s Planet Money) joins us to discuss her recent book The Bond King: How One Man Made a Market, Built an Empire, and Lost It All. This is the story of Bill Gross, the legendary investor and fund manager who revolutionised the bond market.  Before Bill Gross, bonds...
Many forecasters think that recession is imminent in the UK and Europe, with the US not far behind. But how deep will the downturn be? How long will it last? And will the economy emerge stronger on the other side? We discuss how this recession could compare to ones in the past and which assets...
This episode is sponsored by NOA: Click here to get the free months of NOA premium. Some claim that artificial intelligence will trigger the fourth industrial revolution, upending traditional ways of living and doing business. This week we look at how an AI and big data arms race might change the world of investing. We discuss...
This episode is sponsored by NOA: Click here to get a free month of NOA premium. 2021 was a record year for initial public offerings. More than 3,000 companies listed on global stock markets and raised over $600 billion in the process. Companies such as Coinbase, Roblox and Rivian each pulled in more than 10...
This episode is sponsored by NOA: Click here to get a free month of NOA premium. Few topics divide opinion more than investing in China. The incredible growth. The ethical dilemmas. The disappointing returns. This week we look at the big economic and political developments in China and whether now is the time to buy...
This episode is sponsored by NOA: Click here to get a free month of NOA premium. This year has seen remarkable shifts in currency markets, with the US Dollar reaching a 20 year high and parity with the Euro. We discuss the factors that drive exchange rates and the implications of a strong US dollar...
The cost of living always attracts controversy, even before the current surge in prices. Many people believe that the true rate of inflation is consistently far higher than the official stats suggest. But is there any evidence to back up these claims? We discuss the nuances of how inflation is calculated and whether the changes...
Kids are sometimes hard-work, often fun, and always expensive. But due to the magic of compounding, a small amount of money invested when they are young can grow into a substantial nest egg for later in life. We discuss how much to set aside, what to put in their portfolio, and how to keep them...
Does it pay to be an optimist? Volatile financial markets and flaws in human psychology can cause many investors to be unduly pessimistic. Yet, remaining an optimist – and remaining invested – is the surest way to achieve the unrivalled long-term returns of the stock market. Today, we discuss why optimism about investing is not...