Investors Chronicle

Phoenix is not your typical life insurer. It buys and manages closed life and pension funds, handling assets worth around £76bn. In this episode of Boardroom Talk, we speak with chief executive Clive Bannister about how the group keeps its cash generation flowing, its acquisition strategy and the impact of potential interest rate rises.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week's show the team consider what equity markets might be good to invest at the moment, and highlight some of the best funds with which to exploit them. They are joined by Ben Yearsley, director at Shore Financial Planning, who also highlights some of the best non equity investments.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

From bank margins to water firms' regulatory pressure, 5G spectrum to automation software, and $400,000 drugs to urban logistics, our companies writers cast their wide collective eye over the year ahead for stocks in 2018, in our last podcast of the year.Produced by Dominic Toms. Featuring music by Scotch and Soda feat. Pastor McPurvis.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week's show Investors Chronicle's economist Chris Dillow joins the team to consider whether you should believe in the Santa rally. They also discuss what areas of the bond markets seem worth having exposure to and the implications of a high profile fund manager departure.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With news that Disney has agreed to buy the film studio of 21st Century Fox, as well as its stakes in Sky and Hulu, IC editor John Hughman and the companies team discuss media mega mergers. They also report on bad news for care home operator Cambian and retailers' Christmas headache.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

An improvement in weather conditions in Southeast Asia has resulted in higher volumes of fresh fruit bunches used to produce palm oil, but analysts have raised concerns that this could drive down the price. MP Evans chief executive Tristan Price discusses how the company is dealing with this challenge and addresses environmental concerns about how palm oil is produced.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this week's show Maike Currie, investment director at Fidelity, joins the team to consider how important psychology is when investing. She also suggests some areas likely to generate good investment growth next year and ways to mitigate downside in your portfolio.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

IC editor John Hughman is joined by Megan Boxall and Algy Hall to discuss which shares and sectors are best placed to withstand the market correction many think is on the way.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As our homes get smaller, our clutter seems bigger. That trend should pay dividends for Lok’nStore (LOK), and judging by the company’s share price since the start of the decade, it has.For this episode of Boardroom Talk, chief executive Andrew Jacobs tells IC property writer Jonas Crosland why he is in self-storage.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week Peter Walls, manager of Unicorn Mastertrust, sets out the areas of the investment trust world he thinks have potential, and the ones he is concerned on. He also discusses the merits of UK commercial property and how a new infrastructure investment trust compares to the existing offerings.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

IC editor John Hughman is joined by Harriet Russell and Tom Dines to talk about Just Eat's elevation to the FTSE 100, the future of energy, and struggles in the retail sector.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Randgold Resources (RRS) operates in countries most international businesses avoid, exercises no control over the price of its one product, and pays a smaller dividend than several of its peers. Despite this, it is one of the most expensive stocks in the FTSE 100.For this special podcast, Investors Chronicle reporter Alex Newman tries to uncover the allure of this gold miner, and gold investments in general. Featuring Randgold chief executive Mark Bristow, Panmure Gordon commodities and mining analyst Kieron Hodgson, and Alistair Hewitt, head of market intelligence at the World Gold Council.Produced by Alex Newman, with music from Blue Dot Sessions.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this week's show Colin Low, managing director of Kingsfleet Wealth, joins the team to explain how the budget will affect savers and investors. They also look at a change to Isa rules that could help couples and consider importance of fund charges.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

IC editor John Hughman talks to Simon Thompson about what went wrong at toilet paper manufacturer Accrol, while Jonas Crosland explains why he's unimpressed with the Autumn Budget's housebuilding proposals   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this week's personal finance podcast Toby Gibb, European investment director at Fidelity, joins the team look at what's been driving European equities and if their good run can continue. They also consider why investors have been shunning UK equities, and if they are right or are missing an opportunity.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

 IC editor John Hughman is joined by Mark Robinson and Harriet Russell to discuss the week's big market news, including major updates from the grocery sector and what to watch out for as retailers ramp up for the festive season.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We spoke with Ian Jenks, executive chairman of Brady, about how the company's business model is changing and what the future might hold. Listed on Aim, Brady provides trading and risk management software to the global commodity and energy markets.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week's investment trust special James Carthew, head of research at QuotedData, joins the team to explain the importance of discounts and premiums to NAV, and some ways in which trusts boost their income. They also consider whether Asian investment trusts offer particular value and whether UK smaller companies trusts are a bargain.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week's show IC editor John Hughman is joined by news editor Emma Powell and tips editor Algy Hall to discuss his annual Phileas Fogg-inspired investment trust odyssey, overheating tech stocks and why mergers in the retail energy market might be little more than talk.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Great technologies do not always make for great investments. For much of the last decade, gas-to-liquids specialist Velocys has been an example of this occasional feature of disruptive companies, remaining loss-making despite its world-class capabilities in renewable fuels.In this episode of Boardroom Talk, resources writer Alex Newman asks Velocys chief executive David Pummell why he thinks the tide has turned for his company, and what investors can expect in the coming years. Produced by Dominic Toms.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.