We begin with National Grid’s (NG) transformation plans. Jemma Slingo and Alex Newman weigh in on whether it should now be considered a growth rather than income stock, its US business and more.

It’s then onto car dealership Vertu (VTU). Mark Robinson runs through the driving factors behind Vertu’s performance, the business’ valuation and its prospects in a struggling market.

Last up, Holly McKechnie dives into the knotty issue of investment trust costs. In September HM Treasury announced it was replacing a regime in place since Britain’s time in the EU, and angst has since swelled. Find out what the Isa and pension providers are saying and what the change actually means.

Timestamps

1:46 National Grid

14:52 Vertu

26:06 Investment trust costs

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In this episode of IC Interviews, Paul ffolkes Davis and funds editor Dave Baxter discuss the Japanese small and mid-cap specialist fund, which has proven to be quite fruitful for investors.

Find out why ffolkes Davis believes in the yen’s strength plus his thoughts on Japan’s macro trends, the big investment trust risers and fallers this year and more.

Timestamps

00:56 Japan and Yen strength

4:49 Macro themes in Japan

7:40 Valuations

11:48 Activism

18:10 Private versus public

20:39 Corporate reform

23:55 Is there a cap for the trust

26:51 Recent activity in the portfolio

31:09 7/11 bid

Claim your first 12 weeks of Investors' Chronicle Print + Digital for just £12. You will get instant access to our website and app, plus the magazine delivered to your door every week. To start your trial, visit www.investorschronicle.co.uk/podcasttrial

*After your 12-week trial you will pay just £62 every 13 weeks by direct debit. If you’re not entirely satisfied, you can cancel up to 5 business days before your renewal date and only pay the £12 already debited. This offer is for UK subscribers only.

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Associate editor James Norrington starts the show, covering this week’s Big Read. He and Dan unpack inflationary vs deflationary forces in Western economies and what it means for stock picking and building portfolios.

Madelaine Apthorpe is then in the hot seat instead of behind the soundboard to discuss her investigation into cocoa inflation and the confectionery industry. She touches on the reasons for the price rises, the outcome for consumers and what it means for the industry.

Last up, Julian Hoffman and Mark Robinson unpack Boeing’s latest results and the strike action the company is facing. They discuss the knock-on effects for other companies and how the new CEO is trying to improve safety.

Timestamps

00:58 Debt, demographics and money

16:26 Cocoa

23:38 Boeing

Claim your first 12 weeks of Investors' Chronicle Print + Digital for just £12. You will get instant access to our website and app, plus the magazine delivered to your door every week. To start your trial, visit www.investorschronicle.co.uk/podcasttrial

*After your 12-week trial you will pay just £62 every 13 weeks by direct debit. If you’re not entirely satisfied, you can cancel up to 5 business days before your renewal date and only pay the £12 already debited. This offer is for UK subscribers only.

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This month, Alex and Lord Lee are joined by the CEO of Ampario, Richard Edwards. Ampario is an Aim-traded natural feed additives group, a niche business but one that exports its products to over 80 countries and has been held by Lord Lee for 14 years.

In the episode, the trio discuss the ins and outs of running an Aim company, why Lord Lee believes the business is well-placed in today’s markets, its sustainable practices and more.

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This week’s episode begins with a property leaser to the healthcare sector, Life Science Reit (LABS). Property writer Natasha runs through the results, where the chief exec is focusing and whether a takeover is on the cards.

It’s then onto our latest Big Read on investing for your children. From the best accounts to use, the top funds to pick, and educating your children about investing, Val Cipriani runs through everything parents need to know.

Lastly, Julian Hofmann joins to unpack China’s stimulus measures. What impact will it have on the stock market? And what funds can investors use to get involved in the action?

Claim your first 12 weeks of Investors' Chronicle Print + Digital for just £12. You will get instant access to our website and app, plus the magazine delivered to your door every week. To start your trial, visit www.investorschronicle.co.uk/podcasttrial

*After your 12-week trial you will pay just £62 every 13 weeks by direct debit. If you’re not entirely satisfied, you can cancel up to 5 business days before your renewal date and only pay the £12 already debited. This offer is for UK subscribers only.

Timestamps

00:56 Reits

11:02 Investing for your children

21:00 China’s stimulus

Read the stories mentioned in the show

Life Science Reit trades on steep discount to NAV

China's bounce may be short-lived

The best ways to invest for your children

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In this podcast episode from The Brunner Investment Trust, Co-lead Portfolio Manager Julian Bishop and host Joe Lynam navigate the choppy waters of national politics and their ripple effects through global markets. With the recent political changes in the UK and the much-anticipated US presidential election, what can investors expect from the stock market?

For more in-depth discussions and insights, visit our website for additional podcast episodes, articles and videos: https://www.brunner.co.uk/en-gb/videos-podcasts-and-reading

This content was paid for and produced by The Brunner Investment Trust

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We start with Smiths Group’s (SMIN) results. The engineering giant’s figures missed expectations, but could new acquisitions and an updated cost-saving plan bring things back? Michael Fahy reports.

Our Big Read this week is on pensions. We all know what they are, but there’s much more that could be done for savers and perhaps for the wider economy – Alex Hamer, author of the cover feature, gives a rundown of the reforms mentioned in the piece that could boost pots, and breathe new life into the stock market.

We wrap up by touching on bid takeover activity. From Rightmove (RMV) to Advanced Medical Solutions (AMS), Jennifer Johnson unpacks everything investors need to know from the past week.

Timestamps

01:18 Smiths Group

09:08 Pensions

23:59 Small caps

28:55 Takeovers

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Jemma Slingo is up first to discuss the fate of NatWest (NWG). Jemma and Dan unpack how well hedged the business is against falling interest rates, its share buyback plans and more.

It’s then on to one company from our Income Majors special report: British American Tobacco (BATS). Like most tobacco stocks, BAT is in the firing line from the Labour government and other leaders around the world. Michael Fahy and Dan explore what potential smoking bans would mean for investors.

We finish with two deals from the financial world. Close Brothers (CBG) has sold off its asset management arm while Brooks Macdonald (BRK) is also making disposals. Julian Hofmann covers everything investors need to know.

Timestamps

1:29 NatWest

10:50 British American Tobacco

22:00 Close Brothers/Brooks Macdonald

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