We start today with a look at the potential megamergers in Hollywood as the battle to take over Warner Brothers Discovery (US:WBD) comes to a head. Both Netflix and Paramount Skydance have made big bids for Warner Bros this month. Who will prevail? Will politics have the final say? Will competition regulators? Julian Hofmann is here to discuss.

Then our cover feature this week is all about the driverless car revolution. Long-promised, long-awaited in some quarters, is the big sea change in transportation finally here? As self-driving vehicles prepare to take to the streets of the UK, Michael Fahy will examine the prospects for the sector and for traditional automakers.

Last but not least we look at housebuilder Berkeley (BKG). The housebuilder reported half-year figures earlier this week, Hugh Moorhead is here to talk through the implications of the Budget and the outlook for higher-end London housing.

Timestamps:

0:56 Warner Bros bidding war

15:33 Self-driving cars

29:30 Berkeley results

Bidding war breaks out for Warner Bros

How to profit from self-driving cars

Resilient Berkeley Group looks undervalued

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Investors’ Chronicle associate editor Simon Thompson joins Dan Jones to discuss what 2026 might hold for smaller companies and the market in general.

Simon and Dan discuss how equities are positioned for the year ahead, as well as the impact of the Budget and how measures including the reduced Isa cash cap could impact UK stocks. They conclude by previewing what to expect from Simon’s Bargain Shares selection for 2026 – due to be revealed in February – and how taking on more risk might be on the cards.

Timestamps:

1:27 How UK equities are positioned

7:08 Economic outlook

11:32 The Budget

19:24 Mergers and acquisitions

33:52 UK tech companies

41:32 Impact of high interest rates

44:14 Preview of 2026 Bargain Shares Selection

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A day on from Rachel Reeves’ budget, where she announced a ‘smorgasbord’ of tax rises forecast to raise £26bn by 2029-30, the dust is settling. Everything from pension pots to dividends could be affected.

Our panel of experts dive into the biggest changes affecting your finances, including all the tax changes, what’s going to happen to the beloved cash Isa and how the chancellor is changing North Sea oil levies.

Read our Budget coverage

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Economic abuse is a recently recognised but long-used method of control by domestic abusers and in this episode of Women and Wealth, Investors' Chronicle's Val Cipriani discusses what it is, how it can be spotted and the support available to those being abused in this way with Surviving Economic Abuse's Lauren Garrett.

Economic abuse is a legally recognised form of domestic abuse and is defined in the Domestic Abuse Act and 95 per cent of cases of domestic abuse involve economic abuse. It often occurs in the context of intimate partner violence, and involves the control of a partner or ex-partner’s money and finances, as well as the things that money can buy. In this episode, Val and Lauren discuss real-life examples and how you can spot the signs of economic abuse and prevent it from happening to either you or those you know.

Women and Wealth is the monthly podcast series from Investors' Chronicle. You can listen and watch the episodes, alongside our other podcasts, on Apple, Spotify and YouTube.

In the UK, call the national domestic abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247, or visit Surviving Economic Abuse. In the US, the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines may be found via www.befrienders.org.

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Our annual Investment Trust Special Report covers everything you need to know about researching, finding and buying the right funds for your portfolio. Val Cipriani and Holly McKechnie delve into topics featured, from discounts in the space, the impact of the Saba saga, increased M&A activity and more. 

It’s then onto Rightmove (RMV). The company recently announced its plans to invest in AI, which was met with unusual concern from the market. Hugh Moorhead explains why this occurred, how large a threat ChatGPT is to its plans, and more.

Timestamps 

1:34 Investment Trust special 

29:18 Rightmove

How to pick the right investment trusts

Should investors put Rightmove up for sale?

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We kick off this week looking at power provider SSE (SSE), which announced a £2bn equity raise to help fund a £33bn upgrade to the UK’s electricity infrastructure. Valeria Martinez and Alex Newman discuss what the proposal means for the company, why it’s been so well received by investors and the wider implications.

Next, we turn to the second part of our Aim 100 Special Report, where we look at the 50 largest stocks trading on London’s junior market. Dan and Michael Fahy look at cords and cable maker Volex (VLX), which reported interim results this week.

Dan and Mark Robinson then turn to auditor MHA (MHA), which listed in April and has been on a tear. Mark gives his thoughts on the company and whether or not it’s too late for investors to jump in.

Listen to more podcasts from Investors’ Chronicle on Apple, Spotify and YouTube

Timestamps:

1:01 SSE

16:36 Volex

25:24 MHA

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From a disappointing run with Treatt (TET) to his belief Goodwin’s (GDWN) is Britain’s most exciting engineering company outside of Rolls Royce (RR.), and STV’s (STV) profit warning to a floor coverings business benefitting from expanding infrastructure projects; this episode covers considerable ground for all DIY investors. 

It concludes with reader questions, and listeners get to hear Lord Lee’s take on what may lie ahead as the Autumn Budget approaches.

Timestamps 

1:21 Reflections on M&G episode 

4:27 Treatt

9:24 Goodwin

18:05 STV

19:55 Venture Life

22:47 James Halstead 

25:00 Primary Health Properties 

27:20 Workspace

29:21 MS International

32:57 Reader questions

38:45 The Budget

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M&S’s (MKS) results kick off this week’s podcast. The beloved British retailer is delivering decent performance, but the April cyber attack has left some scars. Mark Robinson explains all investors need to know.

Next, this week’s Big Read is on quantum stocks. Author James Norrington runs through the recent developments in the sector, the consequences on wider markets, the benefits to AI and more. 

Last up, the latest from three healthcare trusts. Val Cipriani outlines performance from Worldwide Healthcare Trust (WWH), Polar Capital Global Healthcare (PCGH) and Bellevue Healthcare (BBH), and the creative strategy one is taking to attract new investors.

Marks and Spencer reveals cyber attack cost

Is quantum computing reaching its AI moment?

Crunch time for healthcare trusts

1:24 M&S

11:22 Quantum computing stocks 

27:18 Global healthcare trusts

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Hugh Moorhead takes stock of the UK banking sector, examining how provisions for motor finance, along with exposure to private credit, are shaping the outlook, and how regulatory changes have helped the key players.

Erin Withey joins and turns attention to the first of two companies from our Aim 100 Special Report, Kitwave (KITW). The UK food wholesaler is navigating the next phase of its growth story, and despite a recent profit warning, its long-term prospects appear strong. 

Lastly, Valeria Martinez reviews Next 15 (NFG), the AIM-listed consultancy undergoing a major restructuring after a turbulent 2024. Valeria looks at how the business is trying to recoup sentiment, its other near-term challenges and what analysts think of the company. 

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Women and Wealth returns, this month looking at the psychology of better investing with Dr Ylva Baeckström. Understanding behavioural finance is crucial, as emotions can influence investment decisions and in this discussion between Investors' Chronicle's Val Cipriani and Madi Apthorpe, we find out the psychological barriers women face and the risks of market downturns. Madi and Val discuss active and passive investing strategies and cognitive biases.

Madi then speaks with King's Business School lecturer Dr Ylva Baeckström about gender differences in investment approaches, advocating for improved financial education and open money discussions to create a more inclusive investment environment.

Women and Wealth is the monthly podcast series from Investors' Chronicle. You can listen and watch the episodes, alongside our other podcasts, on Apple, Spotify and YouTube.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.