This week, we take a deep-dive into the world of self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs), and speak to Tom Selby, a pensions analyst from fund platform giant, AJ Bell. So, what are pensions and SIPPs? What tax breaks and benefits do they bring? How does drawdown work? And how varied are the investments you can make within a SIPP? This pod has everything you need to know. Oh, and some companies and markets as per usual. 

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This week we take a deep dive into the niche world of investment trusts with communications director Annabel Brodie Smith of the Association of Investment Companies (AIC), to discuss the unique features of the oldest investment vehicles in the world. We also hear: in markets, the latest drama to come out of Congress, and which giant company is about to grace Eastern stock markets for the first time, setting a record; and in companies, which supermarkets are cutting costs for Christmas, and how Royal Mail is innovating the way we post - implementing the biggest changes we've seen since 1852.

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In markets, we look to the switch in investor appetite in the US, as well as why going 'ex-dividend' is affecting certain UK stocks; in companies, we hear how cinemas are faring amid waning audience numbers, and the new features video meeting platform Zoom is bringing in to capitalise on a big year for the company; and finish with Steps' interview with Wealthify's head of business development Dan Giddings, as he discusses the 'robo-investor' and what it's trying to do for its clients. 

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This week we uncover how President Donald Trump has been causing big price swings across markets globally as the US election draws near; we hear what the chief of Tesco had to say about the company's trading, and look at how EasyJet has fared amid a dismal holiday season for travel; in our interview, we speak to experienced personal finance journalist Faith Archer on some of the crucial features to look at when it comes to selecting funds for your portfolio; and finish with our take on the conversation.

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Welcome to season 2 of the Steps to Investing Podcast - bringing you news, tips and hints to keep you up to date with the markets and brimming with investing ideas.

This week, we take a look at September in the markets and ask why after a relaxing summer break, all fund managers want to do is sell, sell, sell; in companies, we see what pearls of wisdom Nike has to offer in the consumer shift to online, and why Rolls Royce has been turning its hat to shareholders to ask for more money; and in The Big Investment, we look to election chaos in the US and ask what impact this will have on markets globally, and how to invest around it.

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Also out - our NEW, STEPS TO INVESTING GUIDE: giving you tips on preparing for investing and choosing a fund, investment ideas that consider the short-term risks and also long-term opportunities, and deep-dive into the problems with capitalism today and a new model that is emerging to save us.

In markets, we look to the tech stars upsetting US markets, and what European investors are hoping for from Christine Lagarde; in companies, we look to jewellery that lost its lustre, and which company stock market floatation 'Golden Balls' is behind; finishing with The Big Investment, and a look to inflation that threatens on the horizon and how as private investors we might profit from it.  

In markets we explore how a press conference of the powerful is leading shares ever higher, and what economic trinkets the French have announced; in companies we look at who's raising money for cybertrucks, and the soaring profits a Danish firm is building, brick by brick; finishing with The Big Investment, and why the switch from investing in growth stocks to value stocks might be savvy over the long term.

In markets, we look at what new monetary policies might excite at the central banker Jackson Hole symposium, and a storm that's blowing through the oil industry; in companies, we find out about an Ant that's about to float on the stock markets, and a Russian mining group that has stolen the FTSE-100 show this year; finishing with The Big Investment and a delve into one of the most ancient of precious metals: gold.

In the pod this week, markets hit new highs, a 2 trillion dollar Apple, and a warning from a discounter. Plus, in The Big Investment, we examine crowdfunding – small investors, smaller businesses, but potential for big wins, and definitely big risks.

Marcus kicks-off with some grisly UK data that leaves Chancellor Sunak with some explaining to do, and what disagreements on Capitol Hill are delaying a vital second round of US stimulus; Simon takes a look at a food app breaking its own records, and a pizza company shining a light on eat out to help out; rounding-off with The Big Investment and the robots that get you from account opening to investing in lightening-quick time.