We begin with Alex Newman, who covers the recent results from an early-stage solid state battery technology company Ilika (IKA). It focuses on batteries for the ‘internet of things’, metech and EVs, and shares have run up recently. Alex reveals what there is for investors to get excited about and what to be wary of.

We move on to last week’s annual Top 50 ETFs special report. Dave Baxter has refreshed the IC’s best-buy list to provide readers and listeners with new ways to build the best portfolio while keeping an eye on costs. Listen to find out what made the list, what’s been dropped and the challenges facing investors.

Last up, results from Trifast (TRI), a fastener supplier, which is trying to bounce back from a difficult period. Christopher Akers unpacks what held the company back in recent years, how tariffs are impacting the business and the ways it’s looking to become “more dynamic”.

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

Timestamps

1:20 Ilika

17:09 Top 50 ETFs

27:33 Trifast

Find out more about these topics:

IC Top 50 ETFs

Trifast returns to profit as margins expand

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In recent memory, the story of Waspi women has brought into sharp focus the issues surrounding women and their pensions. With many women spending some time out of full-time employment for a variety of reasons, but most notably due to childcare, pensions contributions are often neglected but vitally important to financial security in later life. In this episode of Women and Wealth, the video podcast series from Investors' Chronicle, we look at the topic.

Personal finance editor, Val Cipriani and digital production journalist, Madelaine Apthorpe discuss the topic that feels far away but should be in any young woman's thoughts as they enter the workforce. The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association estimates that in order to retire on a moderate standard, not even a comfortable one, you need £31k a year if you are single and almost £22k each as a couple. This assumes you have already paid off your mortgage by the time you retire and it’s after tax. Scarily, AJ Bell calculated that that is the equivalent of a pension pot worth £490,000 for a single person, or a combined £515,000 for a couple.

That's why in this episode, Val and Madi look at ways to maximise your pension pot. They discuss how your employer can help with pension contributions and what you should be doing to boost your retirement income now. Val also answers our reader's question on how you can invest your pension and make sure it's managed correctly. Val explains time horizons, decoding your pension statements and ways to benchmark performance.

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

You can also find out more about pension planning with Investors' Chronicle pensions masterclass series.

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Jet2 (JET2) may be on some listeners' minds thanks to a recent TikTok soundbite that has gone viral, but how are its figures faring? Michael Fahy joins Dan Jones to discuss the travel company’s latest results, the demand outlook and how it fares against competitors.

Next is Optima Health (OPT). After spinning out from Marlowe (MRL) last year, the occupational health company has pursued a buy-and-build strategy, which seems to be working in its favour. Julian Hofmann explains everything investors need to know.

Last up, Alex Newman joins to unveil a handful of new IC stock screens focused on the best businesses from around the world. He explains the background for the decision and a teaser about which screens may work best in the current environment. If you have any thoughts or suggestions on the new screens, email alex.newman@ft.com

Timestamps

1:18 Jet2

12:28 Optima Health

22:04 New stock screens

Read more on these topics:

Jet2’s robust trading and earnings beat fail to lift sentiment

Optima Health acquires to grow

A new way to find global investment ideas

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