Investors Chronicle

IC editor John Hughman asks Harriet Russell whether we should be worried about household spending, catches up with Simon Thompson about his latest small-cap picks, and rounds up a big week on the results front with companies editor Ian Smith.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Recruiters are often hailed as bellwethers of economic activity, so what are we to read into the steady recent performance of Hays (HAS)? Is the outfit over-exposed to the UK market? Will its European business provide a silver lining?And given the company's strong recent cash generation, can investors expect a special dividend this year? Specialist writer Tom Dines puts the questions to Hays chief financial officer Paul Venables in this edition of Boardroom Talk. Produced by Alex Newman.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this week's personal finance show James Baxter, managing partner at Tideway Investments, joins the team to explain some problems relating to pensions freedoms that the financial regulator is looking into. They also consider whether you should invest in UK equity funds with Brexit approaching and some major changes Barclays is making to its investment platform.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this week's companies and markets show IC editor John Hughman and tips editor Algy Hall explain what to do when a profit warning strikes, while small cap guru Simon Thompson reveals his latest investment ideas  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Housebuilders aren’t as cheap as they were in the years immediately after the financial crash, and some maintain that they are now too expensive. So is there any value left? We ask Tristan Chapple, director at Phoenix Asset Management and Aurora Investment Trust.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week's show Ed Smith, asset allocation strategist at Rathbones, considers which investment areas will do well and which might struggle in the months ahead. Kate Beioley explains how top manager Nick Train gets his returns, and what effect a manager move will have on Troy Asset Management's and BlackRock's equity income funds.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week's show editor John Hughman speaks to columnist John Baron about the strategies guiding the success of his ever-popular investment trust portfolios.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As attention turns to the property market in the wake of last year's referendum, what does this mean for the home improvement sector? Company bosses from windows and doors specialist Safestyle join sectors editor Harriet Russell for the latest edition of Boardroom Talk to discuss how their business is doing in the midst of so much uncertainty.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week Don Smith, chief investment officer at Brown Shipley, joins the team to discuss how best to manage your portfolio through volatility. They also consider as to whether European smaller companies funds can continue their good run and the effects that currency movements will have on your returns.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this week's companies and markets podcast IC editor John Hughman is joined by Ian Smith and Tom Dines to discuss retail wobbles, under fire energy utilities, and why water investments are worth splashing out on.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The team highlight some areas where you can find cheap equity income, and look at how the financial regulator is proposing to make fund fees fairer. They are joined by Henrietta Grimston, relationship manager at Seven Investment Management, who also sets out some ways to maximise the tax efficiency of your investments.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The companies team is joined by tips editor Algy Hall for a mid-point review of the 2017 Tips of the Year, with more on Brexit-proof stocks and the latest stories in tech and media. Oh, and did we mention Hornby?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Somero Enterprises (SOM) is one of Aim's standout performers. In 2016, the concrete levelling specialist booked its sixth successive year of operating profit margin increases, which resulted in a $7.5m special dividend. But where does the company go from here? And why has concrete been such a lucrative business line? IC writer Alex Newman speaks with chief executive Jack Cooney and CFO John Yuncza to find out.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week's show the team are joined by Ryan Hughes, head of fund selection at AJ Bell, to consider the implications of including domestic Chinese shares in MSCI Emerging Markets index. They also highlight a hefty cost behind the charges of passive funds, and look at what markets and funds have been performing well since the vote for Brexit.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The companies team discusses e-commerce giant Amazon's Whole Foods deal, Provident Financial's home credit stumble, and the latest from the world of bitcoin.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What’s going to happen in the real estate sector following the surprise result of the general election? Jonas Crosland talks to Duncan Owen, global head of real estate at Schroder Real Estate Investment Management.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week's show the team consider whether tech funds are still worth consideration following the recent correction in this sector. They also set out some smart ways to invest in high markets, and ways to diversify domestic UK exposure. They are joined by Rachel Winter, senior investment manager at Killik.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The team discuss a double whammy for retail stocks with weak sales data and the DFS profit warning, how social media is changing the ad world, and private involvement in the NHS.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What point are we at in the credit cycle and are we standing on the brink of another financial crash? In this special edition roundtable podcast sectors editor Harriet Russell is joined by The Trader Nicole Elliott, deputy companies editor Mark Robinson and news editor Emma Powell to discuss the potential dangers of a turn in the credit cycle. This episode also features a special interview with Chris Higham from Aviva Investors, who shares his thoughts on the topic.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week's personal finance podcast the team discuss the effect the election will have on currency and bonds with Nick Gartside, chief investment officer for fixed income at JPMorgan Asset Management. They also profile ScotGems, an investment trust set to launch later this month and consider the merits of equity release.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.