Welcome to the first episode of The Financial Fix Podcast in 2025! Hosts Riz Malik and John Chong are back after a short break, ready to break down the latest financial news and market trends in a way that actually makes sense in under 30 minutes.

In this episode, Riz and John dive straight into the biggest topics shaking up global markets, starting with the impact of Trump’s proposed tariffs. Will they fuel inflation, or could there be an unexpected upside? They debate both sides of the argument and what it could mean for consumers and businesses alike.

Closer to home, they tackle the UK economy—will financial deregulation be the key to unlocking growth, or is it just another misguided policy move? With the Bank of England’s first rate decision of the year looming, the duo also discuss the likelihood of a rate cut and its potential impact on mortgage borrowers, businesses, and economic confidence.

And finally, could a UK Sovereign Wealth Fund be the answer to long-term economic security? Or is it just political fantasy? The team shares their insights.

Join Riz and John for a sharp, insightful, and sometimes brutally honest take on finance and economics in 2025. Subscribe now and stay ahead of the curve!

Financial Fix Podcast Episode 9: UK Growth Numbers & The Impact of Financial Deregulation

Welcome to episode nine of the Financial Fix Podcast with hosts Riz Malik, an independent financial adviser, and Mr. Investor’s Edge, John Choong. This episode demystifies the latest updates in the financial world, focusing on the UK's concerning growth numbers post-budget, potential benefits and drawbacks of financial deregulation, and international investments, especially the influence of Trump's re-election. The discussion also covers Rachel Reeves' controversial career history and her proposed economic policies, including pension mega funds and UK-EU trade relations. Join Riz and John as they tackle these pressing financial topics and speculate on the potential outcomes.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:25 UK Growth Numbers Analysis

05:50 Financial Deregulation Discussion

10:04 Rachel Reeves Controversy

17:14 Trumponomics and Tariffs

21:02 Rebuilding Ties with the EU

22:53 Pension Mega Funds Proposal

26:45 Conclusion and Farewell

In this episode of the Financial Fix Podcast, Riz Malik and John Choong discuss the budget and if Britain is set for stagnation?

Join Riz Malik and John Choong your hosts of the financial fix podcast discuss the upcoming budget.

Join Riz Malik and John Choong in the latest episode of the Financial Fix podcast.

In this episode of the Financial Fix podcast, we start in the West and finish in the East.

In this episode of the Financial Fix Podcast, hosts Riz Malik and John Choong delve into recent economic data from the US, focusing on unexpected job growth and wage increases that suggest a resilient labour market. Despite initial concerns, the data challenges previous expectations from the Fed's recent rate cuts. Riz and John discuss how these figures may influence future economic policies and rate cuts by central banks, particularly the Fed and the Bank of England. Additionally, the duo examines China's economic strategies and their impact on global markets. The episode also touches on geopolitical risks, the upcoming US election, and the potential effects of regulatory environments on growth, particularly within the UK and Europe. Throughout, Riz and John assess the implications of these trends for future economic performance and the financial well-being of various markets.

00:00 Introduction and Hosts' Banter

00:54 US Jobs Data Analysis

02:18 Labor Market Insights

03:35 Impact of ADP and Private Payrolls

04:57 Fed's Rate Cut Decisions

08:21 UK Rate Cuts and Economic Outlook

10:13 Food and Energy Inflation Concerns

12:35 China's Economic Stimulus

19:49 US Election and Market Impact

25:40 UK Economic Challenges and Future Outlook

32:48 Conclusion and Wrap-Up

Powell Surprises With 50bps Cut | Financial Fix Podcast Episode 4

In this episode, hosts Riz Malik and John Choong delve into the Bank of England's decision to maintain the base rate amidst the Federal Reserve's surprising 50 basis point cut. They explore the implications of this decision on both sides of the pond, particularly focusing on market reactions, currency fluctuations, and the impact on commodities like gold. The discussion also touches upon the potential risks associated with carry trades and the economic outlook for the UK, considering upcoming key financial events such as Rachel Reeves' first budget as Chancellor. The episode aims to demystify complex financial concepts and provides insights into current and future market trends.

00:23 Federal Reserve's Rate Cut Decision

01:47 Market Reactions and Implications

04:26 Impact on Currency and Commodities

06:40 Gold Prices and Geopolitical Tensions

09:45 Future Rate Cuts and Economic Outlook

13:53 UK's Economic Position and Predictions

22:01 Understanding Bond Prices and Carry Trade

27:33 Equities Market and Investment Opportunities

30:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of The Financial Fix Podcast, host Riz Malik, an independent financial adviser, is joined by John Choong, Head of Markets and Research at Newspage. Together, they dive into the latest U.S. labour market data, focusing on non-farm payroll numbers and their potential impact on Federal Reserve interest rate decisions. The duo explores the possible consequences of a 100-basis-point rate cut by the Fed and its ripple effects on the UK economy, including currency dynamics and inflationary pressures.

The episode also touches on the UK’s scrapped British ISA plans, the upcoming budget, and the potential market impact of changes to capital gains tax and other fiscal policies. For a detailed analysis of macroeconomic trends and forecasts for the year ahead, tune in as Riz and John break down the numbers and offer valuable insights—without forgetting a dash of humour.

Welcome to the second episode of the Financial Fix Podcast! Join Riz Malik, an independent financial advisor, and seasoned equity analyst John Choong as they discuss the recent appointment of Professor Alan Taylor to the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee. This episode delves into Taylor's past research, his potential stance on monetary policy, and the broader implications for the UK economy and interest rates. Tune in to understand the role of economic indicators like wage growth, services inflation, and yield curves in shaping rate decisions. Don't miss this detailed analysis of financial market trends and what they mean for future rate cuts.

00:00 Introduction to the Financial Fix Podcast

00:34 New Appointment to the Bank of England MPC

01:48 Analysing Professor Alan Taylor's Stance

03:38 Implications of Potential Rate Cuts

07:22 Key Economic Indicators and Their Impact

15:43 Understanding Yield Curves and Market Expectations

22:03 Global Influence on UK Interest Rates

28:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts