In markets this week, Marcus looks at which juicy package details investors are eagerly awaiting from Congress, and why the Bank of England thinks our interest rates are best kept as they are; in companies, Simon discusses a grim story that puts disgraced fintech group Wirecard back in the press again, as well as the screws US President Donald Trump is turning on Chinese apps; finishing with The Big Investment and a focus on credit as a potential source of income.

The market soap opera continues this week with a glance at how some dreary data from Europe is overshadowing positive moves from the Fed; in companies we see which Spanish bank has made a historical announcement, and an eCommerce platform that is knocking eBay to one side; finishing with The Big Investment, and a zoom into the world of government bonds and why they can be a ballast for your portfolio. Subscribe to get the latest.

Marcus and Simon explore the reasons behind a dip in markets in the back-end of this week, a ray of hope for Europe, a burrito brand that baulked, a DIY bonanza; and in The Big Investment, private equity and how to access it for your portfolio.

Simon and Marcus take a look at why Chinese stocks have taken a tumble this week, which vaccines have been driving markets, a pizza maker beholden to its creditors, the planes set to remain in the sky; and in The Big Investment we continue our look at alternatives, and some of its weird and wonderful assets. Subscribe to get more from Steps to Investing.

This week Marcus and Simon look at which country is frothing up its stock market, which sector has been boosted by UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak, a tailor that no longer suits, some bumper profits for a German logistics giant; and in The Big Investment, what absolute return fund managers are trying to do for their investors.

Which vaccine is exciting markets, who the Brits are raging at, a company stashing billions of euros behind the sofa, which carmaker has just received a gold medal, and life beyond furlough. In The Big Investment this week we look at a niche of the active funds space: investment trusts.

This week Simon and Marcus take a look at which US states are causing Coronavirus worries, the vaccines the market bulls are looking at, why Facebook is in the news again, and the death of an 84-year old brand; finishing with The Big Investment and a focus on fund management's thunderous incumbent: actively managed portfolios.

In the pod this week, Marcus describes markets as a game of two halves, looking at Covid-19 worries, tense borders, and Bank of England policy decisions; Simon rounds-up company news, with ongoing bank troubles and a slow take-up of pre-heated sausage rolls; finishing with a deep-dive into passive investing and why it could be good for your portfolio in The Big Investment.

In a slightly revamped format, Simon and Marcus take a look at what's driving markets with grim forecasts from the Fed and the OECD, which companies have hit the news with Ocado looking to capitalise further on shifting trends off the back of Covid-19, as well as a more detailed The Big Investment, as we delve into hot investment style ESG investing and how to access it.  

A brief look at why one company is breaking the dividend ban, some positive news for the auto industry, what effect investors are still feeling from Woodford Investment Management's implosion, and where globalisation is left in the wake of Covid-19; finishing with The Big Investment and investing in FTSE-100 UK companies.