In this week’s episode, Dan Coatsworth and Laura Suter discuss the recent selloff in US tech stocks, and what sparked the market turmoil [01:32]. They also look at WHSmith’s potential sale of its UK business [06:27], and Diageo denying rumours about selling Guinness [09:17].

Laura looks at the frustration taxpayers are facing with HMRC’s long call wait times, as some new data is released showing how hard it is to reach the taxman [12:09], while Tom Sieber looks at attending a company AGM in person at SRT Marine Systems and why investor engagement matters [16:55].

Plus, Dan interviews Chris Tennant of Fidelity Emerging Markets to explore Donald Trump’s impact on emerging markets, why you might want EM exposure in your ISA or pension, and what’s next for China [24:26].

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast, Dan Coatsworth is joined by AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould to discuss how markets reacted to Donald Trump’s return to the White House [00:02:14]. From halting the TikTok ban to confusion about the President’s plans for tariffs, it’s already been a wild ride.

Dan is joined by Danni Hewson to assess what’s behind the FTSE 100’s good run. The pair also consider what might happen next for UK interest rates given the latest economic data gives the Bank of England a lot to think about. [00:11:12]

Government borrowing costs have shot up again but was that already priced into gilt yields and with pressure mounting on the Chancellor to spell out her plans for growth. [00:13:49]

Dan and Danni discuss the role of regulators with a former Amazon boss now heading the CMA and plans from the FCA to relax mortgage lending rules. [00:17:21]

Plus, Netflix hikes prices as subscriber numbers soar [00:31:38], why two brokers have very different views on Greggs [00:37:16] and James Flintoft, head of investment solutions at AJ Bell, updates us on asset allocation in AJ Bell funds [00:46:43].

The AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast team start this week’s episode with some good news as UK inflation took a surprise dip in December to 2.5%. Does this mean the chances of a February rate cut have jumped? Rachel Reeves has fought back in a Commons speech to defend her growth plans and although UK housebuilders have had a boost, other big companies continue to issue their own warnings. [01:02]

Danni Hewson and Charlene Young discuss how the UK isn’t the only country facing increased borrowing costs after recent bond yield hikes, and they also chat about what higher gilt yields mean for personal finances. [08:37]

Updates from BP, JD Sports and PageGroup painted a gloomy outlook but good news from Permission gave UK housebuilders a boost, even before a second bounce arrived following the inflation news. Charlene stays with housing, with a new IFS report on how more young people are residing in the Hotel of Mum and Dad. [23:10]

Donald Trump will be back in the White House next week, so Danni spoke to Yoojeong Oh, manager of the Abrdn Asian Income Fund, to find out how tariffs might impact Asian markets and where opportunities for income generation lie [27:56]. A TikTok ban in the US is also due next week, but is there any hope for a reprieve? [41:53]

Charlene finishes up with a timely reminder of the looming self-assessment deadline. [46:52]