On this episode of the AJ Bell Money and Markets podcast Danni Hewson and Charlene Young discuss what has been a volatile first quarter for markets [1:55] as companies and investors try to navigate Donald Trump’s tariffs. The pair discuss which sectors have borne the brunt so far and how the UK could be impacted. With Awful April [13:20] in full spring Charlene runs through the bills that have jumped up and considers what that might do for inflation and interest rates. Danni picks through some eye-catching market news with [17:18] Conservative US TV network Newsmax jumping more than 2,000% after its IPO and a potential bid for UK’s Alphawave as Qualcomm looks to boost its AI chops and with US markets under pressure and investors looking for ways to diversify, we hear from Emily Fletcher, portfolio manager of Black Rock Frontiers Investment Trust [22:34]. Tax year end is upon us [40:40] and Charlene talks through new allowances, using pension contributions to pare down your tax bill and popular options like Bed and ISA which help you bring existing investments into tax wrappers. Plus, news from HMRC that the interest rate charged on late tax payments is going up. And with investors warming to bonds again after a patchy period where they didn’t comfort portfolios as expected, Dan Coatsworth talks to Ryan Myerberg from the Brown Advisory Global Sustainable Total Return Bond Fund about all things fixed income. [50:40]

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related