MoneyWeek Talks

The Chinese economy is facing headwinds. There is weakness in consumer spending, its property market is still in a slump, and there’s weakness in business investment. Speaking on the latest episode of MoneyWeek Talks, Dale Nicholls, manager of Fidelity’s China special situations fund says that while there may be negative things to say about the country’s economy, there are also bright spots to look out for – from its world-class artificial intelligence models to cloud computing.

Japan’s story has long been one of deflation. For the last 20 years or so, the country has been plagued by it, leaving its economy stunted. But has the tide finally turned? Deflation has been conquered, and Japanese firms are finally listening to shareholders. In this episode of MoneyWeek Talks , Masaki Taketsume, manager of the Schroder Japan Trust, discusses the initial catalyst, how much of the groundwork was laid under former prime minister Shinzo Abe’s economic vision, and more on the Japanese stock market. MoneyWeek Talks is a podcast that helps you unlock the secrets to financial success, where experts share their top tips on managing money, investing wisely and building wealth. Be sure to subscribe and get ready to make it, keep it and spend it.

The Bank of England might be best known for setting interest rates and printing banknotes, but there’s much more going on at the central bank. In this episode of MoneyWeek Talks, Bank of England economists Jack Leslie and Rupal Patel discuss what's kept in the Bank's vaults, the origin of colour banknotes, and how interest rates can be used to tackle inflation. MoneyWeek Talks is a podcast that helps you unlock the secrets to financial success, where experts share their top tips on managing money, investing wisely and building wealth. Subscribe to the MoneyWeek Talks podcast and get ready to make it, keep it and spend it.

Almost half of all adults in the UK struggle with financial literacy. Many do not understand the three key concepts – compounding returns, inflation, and risk. Without understanding these concepts, building financial independence becomes harder. Indeed the rising levels of young people not in education, employment or training can be linked back to poor numeracy skills in schools. That presents a “huge national challenge”, says Lizzie Gaisman, chief executive of The Richmond Project, a charity founded by former prime minister Rishi Sunak to champion numeracy. MoneyWeek Talks is a podcast that helps you unlock the secrets to financial success, where experts share their top tips on managing money, investing wisely and building wealth. Subscribe to the MoneyWeek Talks podcast and get ready to make it, keep it and spend it.

Asian small caps are often overlooked, but the right opportunities in the space can bring returns for investors, says Gabriel Sacks, manager of Aberdeen's Asia Focus fund. MoneyWeek Talks is a podcast that helps you unlock the secrets to financial success, where experts share their top tips on managing money, investing wisely and building wealth. Subscribe to the MoneyWeek Talks podcast and get ready to make it, keep it and spend it.

Biotech has been misunderstood as inherently risky for years. But that is no longer the case, says Ailsa Craig, fund manager of Schroders’ International Biotechnology Trust.

Successive governments have tried and failed to turn the economy around and deliver the type of growth many got used to before the 2008 financial crisis. So what can be done about Britain's growth issue? Independent economist Julian Jessop told the MoneyWeek Talks podcast that part of the answer is boosting productivity in the country. But the best way to do this for Jessop is not necessarily pouring more money into public services, In fact, it may be the opposite.

The UK is obsessed with cash. It's simple, easy to access, and won't crash. Put simply, it's risk-free. But that is not the whole truth, according to Andy Reed, head of behavioural economics research at Vanguard. While, yes investing can be risky. It is also risky not to invest, Reed tells MoneyWeek Talks. MoneyWeek Talks is a podcast that helps you unlock the secrets to financial success, where experts share their top tips on managing money, investing wisely and building wealth. Subscribe to the MoneyWeek Talks podcast and get ready to make it, keep it and spend it.

Legendary billionaire investor Jeremy Grantham is an expert in stock market bubbles. In the 1980s, he spotted the Japanese bubble. He also, rightly, refused to rush into the tech bubble that popped dramatically during the dotcom crash. Now, with all eyes on the astronomical valuations AI firms are commanding, does he think a bubble is emerging? MoneyWeek Talks is a podcast that helps you unlock the secrets to financial success, where experts share their top tips on managing money, investing wisely and building wealth. Subscribe to the MoneyWeek Talks podcast and get ready to make it, keep it and spend it.

Stepping away from a professional boxing career just a few years after winning gold at the Commonwealth Games might seem a strange decision for some – but not Delicious Orie. Orie, who retired from the sport last May, tells Kalpana Fitzpatrick he has now embarked on a career in the financial world, which offers him something boxing couldn’t – fulfilment.

The world is in the midst of an oil crisis. The war in Iran has thrown the markets into turmoil, with the price of oil soaring to around $100 a barrel. The oil shock has repercussions that are far wider than just the price of petrol. MoneyWeek editors Kalpana Fitzpatrick, Andrew Van Sickle, and Cris Sholto Heaton make sense of what is happening now, where the crisis could go next, and what you should do to protect your portfolio.

Inheritance tax is a tricky topic. Taboos around speaking about money and the emotion that comes with thinking about death create a perfect storm for misunderstanding it. But with such complex rules around inheritance, it is a topic well worth talking about – and sooner rather than later. Lisa Conway Hughes, a certified financial adviser and founder of LCH Wealth, speaks to MoneyWeek's Kalpana Fitzpatrick about how the inheritance tax regime is changing from April 2027, the quirks of the new system, and why it could be a good idea to visit a financial adviser.

What force will shape the world in the next 20 years? The answer is China's drive to financialise, according to Diana Choyleva, founder and chief economist at Enodo Economics. Diana speaks to MoneyWeek's Cris Sholto Heaton about how the AI race differs in China versus the west, the transformation of the country's equity market, and the breakdown of globalisation.

Andrew Van Sickle speaks to Charles Jillings, co-fund manager of Utilico Emerging Markets Trust, about the outlook for emerging economies, the challenges posed by the latest oil shock, and long-term investment opportunities in infrastructure and utilities.

#Ad In this episode, we speak to Cocoba, a Kent-based chocolate brand, about its growth journey and expansion into international markets. The conversation explores the practical realities of exporting for SMEs: from managing cash flow and production cycles to navigating the challenges of fulfilling larger overseas orders. It highlights how delays between production and payment can place pressure on working capital, and why access to finance and insurance is often critical when scaling internationally. We also discuss the role of UK Export Finance in supporting businesses as they expand into global markets, including how government-backed trade finance can help reduce risk and provide greater confidence when taking on new contracts.

What is stopping the UK from investing? It's a mixture of three main factors, according to Henry MacLeod, co-head of digital distribution at BlackRock. In this episode of MoneyWeek Talks , Kalpana Fitzpatrick speaks to Henry about the state of investing in the UK, how we can debunk myths about risk, and whether AI can help you become a better investor.

#Ad In this episode, we speak to The Gym Group about how Jobcentre Plus is helping it overcome the challenges of recruiting and retaining talent in a fast-growing, service-led business. As the company expands across the UK, building a consistent pipeline of skilled employees has become a key priority. The conversation explores how partnerships with Jobcentre Plus are helping to address this challenge, from identifying motivated candidates to supporting pre-employment training and structured pathways into work. We discuss how initiatives such as Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) provide candidates with experience and employers with greater confidence in the hiring process, helping to reduce recruitment risk while opening up opportunities for new talent. The episode also examines the wider commercial benefits of investing in people — from supporting business growth to building a more resilient workforce — and why structured recruitment support is becoming an increasingly important part of SME growth strategies. For employers looking to strengthen their talent pipeline, this episode offers a practical look at how Jobcentre Plus can help turn recruitment into a competitive advantage.

#Ad In this episode, we speak to Electra Vehicles, a West Yorkshire-based manufacturer developing electric and hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles, about the realities of building and scaling a technology-led business. Founder Sid Sadique shares his journey from apprentice mechanic to leading a growing engineering business, and explains the challenges SMEs face in capital-intensive sectors, from regulation and skills shortages to the high cost of innovation. The conversation explores how Horizon Europe funding has supported Electra’s growth, not only through investment in research and development, but by opening access to international partners, customers and markets. For a business operating in a space typically dominated by large global players, that combination of funding and collaboration has been key. We also discuss why support for SMEs matters more broadly (from access to talent and technology to guidance on entering new markets) and how businesses can approach innovation funding strategically. For SMEs looking to scale, this episode offers a practical perspective on how innovation, partnerships and support can help turn ambition into growth.

Daniel Avigad, manager of the TM Lansdowne European Special Situations fund, speaks to MoneyWeek's Andrew Van Sickle about opportunities in European equities, solving the continent's growth problem, and the consequences of populism.

#Ad Purpose-driven organisations often face a challenge: how to grow their impact without losing sight of their mission. In this episode, we speak to Riverlution about building a sustainable model for environmental change, from early projects restoring rivers to developing partnerships with businesses and communities. The conversation explores how leadership development and structured management support, including the UK Government’s Help to Grow course, can help mission-led organisations strengthen strategy and long-term resilience. We discuss the practical realities of scaling impact, balancing purpose with commercial discipline, and why strong leadership is often the difference between a good idea and a lasting organisation. For founders and leaders looking to expand their impact while maintaining credibility, Riverlution’s journey offers valuable lessons.