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.

👉 Listen, follow and share if you enjoy the show

👉 Sign up for our free weekly investing newsletter at www.thearmchairtrader.com/newsletter

👉 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

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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

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/

📩 Get our free newsletter for insights on Stocks, ETFs, Commodities, and Global Markets: www.thearmchairtrader.com/newsletter/

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

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?

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?

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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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 FCA has just approved listed crypto ETFs for retail investors, opening the door to #Bitcoin and #Ethereum exposure through regular brokerage accounts — no wallets, no private keys, no hassle.

In this episode of Investing, Markets & Money, host Stuart Fieldhouse talks with Dovile Silenskyte from WisdomTree's Digital Assets team about what this decision means for UK investors, how #crypto ETPs actually work, and why this could be a game changer for mainstream adoption.

We cover:

✅ What makes crypto ETPs safer and simpler than direct crypto ownership

✅ How Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs are structured and backed

✅ The differences between physical and synthetic exposure

✅ Whether crypto ETPs could soon be held in ISAs and SIPPs

✅ Smart allocation tips — how much crypto might make sense in your portfolio

If you’ve been curious about adding crypto exposure without the wallet headaches, this episode is for you.

🎧 Subscribe for more investing insights and market analysis every week.

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Useful links

WisdomTree Europe website - https://www.wisdomtree.eu/en-gb/strategies/crypto-currency

FCA approval of Crypto ETPs for retail investors - https://www.thearmchairtrader.com/crypto/a-safer-way-into-the-cryptocurrency-maze/

UK allows crypto ETPs in ISAs and SIPPs - https://www.thearmchairtrader.com/crypto/uk-allows-crypto-in-isas-and-pensions/

#CryptoETF #BitcoinETF #Investing #UKInvestors #WisdomTree #CryptoNews #ETFs #FCA #Ethereum #DigitalAssets #InvestingPodcast #FinancialMarkets #InvestingEducation

00:00 Introduction to WisdomTree in crypto markets

01:54 Allowing access for retail investors

02:50 Managing your own wallets

03:37 What are crypto ETFs?

05:00 Do ETF managers use pure crypto exposure?

05:52 How crypto custody works

08:58 Ethereum yield from staking, and risks

11:15 Benefits for investors of the ETF model

12:00 Reduced liquidity risk

12:40 Including in ISAs and SIPPs

13:33 Coins becoming available

15:36 Leveraged crypto products

17:52 How much to own in your portfolio?

19:08 Actively managed crypto products and fees

22:09 Finding out more at wisdomtree.eu

In this episode of the Investing, Markets & Money podcast, we sit down with Thomas Moore, manager of the Aberdeen Equity Income Investment Trust, winner of Best Investment Trust for Income at the Online Money Awards 2025.

Thomas shares his approach to picking dividend stocks that deliver not only high yield but also dividend growth and long-term capital growth. With the trust currently yielding 6.1% and boasting nearly 25 years of uninterrupted dividend increases, we explore how UK equity investors can find opportunities in a market that still yields just 3.2%.

💡 Key topics we cover:

Why dividend income matters in 2025 with high living costs

How to find UK dividend stocks yielding 5–10%

The balance between income and capital growth

Why high-yield stocks can also be growth opportunities

Stock picking insights from a seasoned income fund manager

👉 Whether you’re focused on dividend investing, income investing, or just looking for the best UK stocks for long-term returns, this episode is packed with insights.

Find out more about Aberdeen Investments here - www.aberdeeninvestments.com

#Investing #InvestmentTrusts #Equities #Dividends #InvestingPodcast #Markets #WealthBuilding #FinancialMarkets

📩 Subscribe to our free investing newsletter for more insights: https://www.thearmchairtrader.com/newsletter/

🎧 Listen to more episodes of the Investing, Markets & Money podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2vfaIsYhqcRejpjWNqYF6f

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 Intro to the Aberdeen Equity Income Trust

01:33 Balancing income and capital growth

04:09 Focus on UK value stocks

08:13 Criteria for picking new companies

11:18 Inflows and outflows from UK equity markets

13:00 Mergers and acquisitions in the market

14:58 Why do companies do share buybacks?

19:36 What does "index-agnostic" mean?

22:03 What has helped the fund's performance recently?

27:30 The effect of politics on UK stocks?

31:22 Looking at British companies with exposure outside the UK

35:30 Effect of tariffs

In this episode of Investing, Markets & Money, we dive into gold and precious metals with Robert Crayfourd, co-manager of the Golden Prospect Precious Metals Fund at CQS New City.

The fund has just been named Best Investment Trust for Growth at the 2025 Online Money Awards—and Robert explains the strategy behind its success. You can find more on the awards here - https://www.thearmchairtrader.com/online-money-awards/

Stuart and Robert cover:

- Why small & mid-cap miners can deliver better returns than gold ETFs

- Central bank gold buying and the weaponization of the dollar

- The outlook for gold, silver, and other precious metals in 2025

- How geopolitical risk, US debt, and interest rates shape the sector

- The value of active management in mining vs passive ETFs

👉 Don’t miss Robert’s insights on why gold may still be “underowned” and how his team finds opportunities others overlook.

If you enjoy these conversations, the best way to support the show is a quick rating or review — it helps more investors discover us.

Listen on:

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2vfaIsYhqcRejpjWNqYF6f

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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YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@armchairtrader

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00:00 Intro to Golden Prospect Precious Metals [LON:GPM]

02:09 How flexible is the trust's mandate?

02:40 The global gold market

05:09 What has been driving the gold price up?

07:25 Geopolitical risk versus central bank holdings

10:55 Why buy an investment trust and not an ETF

12:30 Going on site visits

14:13 Managing risk

16:26 Political elements to running the trust

17:00 The trust's geographic exposure

17:47 Other metals besides gold: silver

20:55 Sustainability and corporate governance

22:41 Miners and government disputes, e.g. Barrick in Mali

23:56 Golden Prospect wins Best Investment Trust for Growth

27:08 Gold/silver producers using cash for development

28:12 Spotting takeover targets

30:20 How have ETFs affected the market?

31:49 The fund's subscription shares rights issue

Stuart meets Rezaah Ahmad of corporate bond marketplace WiseAlpha. They cover the definition of a corporate bond and how they work, the size of the bond market, equity dividends vs bond coupons and what to look out for when considering investing in this type of asset.

If you enjoy these conversations, the best way to support the show is a quick rating or review — it helps more investors discover us.

Listen on:

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2vfaIsYhqcRejpjWNqYF6f

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

SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/armchairtrader/

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Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/10429893

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00:00 Intro to WiseAlpha Corporate Bonds

01:12 What is a Corporate Bond?

01:45 How they differ from Government Bonds

03:05 How big is the bond market?

03:45 Benefits of Bonds over Equities - dividends vs coupons

05:42 Which companies have corporate bonds, e.g. Ocado?

07:26 Bond holders are ahead of the queue

08:40 Investing in corporate bonds for pensions

09:51 Risks with corporate bonds

12:07 Paying attention to central bank rates

13:13 Bond prices vs bond yields explained

15:41 Bond ratings - investment grade and beyond

17:44 Liquidity - how do you trade?

24:58 Buying and selling on www.WiseAlpha.com

We meet Stuart Thomas of Precidian Investments to learn about the importance of being currency-hedged. We look at what currency hedging is and how to, when you buy a stock listed in a different currency from your own, mitigate the additional risks of currency fluctuation.

🎧 Subscribe and stay updated with insights from leading investors, fund managers, and innovators.

#Currencies #Forex #Hedging #Trading #GBP #USD

Listen on:

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2vfaIsYhqcRejpjWNqYF6f

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

SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/armchairtrader/

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Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/10429893

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00:00 Intro to Precidian Investments

04:39 What is currency hedging?

07:57 What currency risks are investors exposed to?

10:33 How can traders reduce your currency risks?

13:14 Are there enough ETFs outside the USA?

14:51 Managing the costs and fees of currency hedging

16:53 Does currency hedging matter for intraday traders?

18:27 Does it matter to me?

20:00 ADRs vs. forex futures

23:08 What can go wrong?