Share Sounds. presented by Georgie Frost related to Investing in Funds - Europe

Happy new year, happy new lockdown. 2021 has seen off 2020, but schools and large chunks of the economy have shut down again and people have been ordered to stay at home, as across the UK the nations adopt their own version of lockdown. It’s probably been the gloomiest start to a year for as long as many can remember and a tough winter for people, businesses and the economy lies ahead. So what happened? The UK stock market jumped, of course. Contrary as this may seem, there is some logic to investors buying into the hope that better times lie ahead. We have Covid-19 vaccines being rolled out that will hopefully make this national lockdown the last people have to endure – and we also have a Brexit deal. On this week’s podcast, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert look at what the fresh lockdown means for the economy and why investors are choosing to look straight through it and develop a new appetite for buying British. Are UK shares undervalued and a great opportunity for 2021 and beyond – and will a strong consumer rebound once the economy is reopened prove the catalyst the FTSE needs? The team also discuss the potential implications of the Brexit deal for people’s finances and businesses. Meanwhile, the FTSE 100’s gains may have been substantial for a week on the stock market, but they are nothing compared to bitcoin’s continuing rise. The cryptocurrency cracked $40,000 this week: what’s going on, are people making real money out of this, and is there any idea what could happen next? Also, on this week’s podcast, the team talk moving home and getting your property looking attractive for a sale and with everyone stuck at home again, how to improve your wifi.

Stock markets crashing tend to put savers off investing in shares, but there has been a sizeable rise in new investors in Britain during lockdown, reports suggest. That came as savings rates plummeted (again) and people decided to go hunting for a bargain amid the stock market turmoil in March and April. But who are these novice investors and what do you need to think about to get started? On this week's podcast This is Money editor Simon Lambert tells host Georgie Frost what first timers need to know about building an investment portfolio - and gives some tips on easy ways to get started and why British isn't always best for investors. Managers can invest in their own fund or investment trust, but how do you find out if they do - and whether they're buying or selling, and does it matter? Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs backed Marcus Bank has pulled its best buy easy-access savings account – assistant editor Lee Boyce reveals why and how we are set to see rates tumble even further. Should you gamble on taking a European summer holiday in July, August or September and if you are tempted, what do you need to know? Euro 2020 should have been starting today, but at least for sport-starved fans Premier League football returns next week. However, you'll need a major tournament-style wallchart if you plan on catching the action, with Amazon Prime, BBC, BT Sport and Sky Sports all having games on – how do you watch for the cheapest price? And finally, property sales in England have started to edge up but apparently million-pound-plus homes in the country are leading the way. Are buyers really swapping Millionaire's Row for Millionaire's Lane?

Should you save cash and accept low interest rates, or invest and take the risk that you could lose money? This is the perennial dilemma for those with some money to set aside, who are looking to build their wealth. And it’s not been made easier by a rollercoaster 20 years. Since the turn of the millennium, we’ve had three hefty stock market crashes, but we’ve also had the past decade of historically low interest rates. In response to paltry savings rates, more people have been encouraged to invest in shares for a better return, but the coronavirus crash has left the UK’s flagship stock market index, the FTSE 100, below its level on 31 December 1999, and burnt the fingers of many recent investors. So, is it worth investing, or should you just stick with the relative stability of cash? On this episode of the This is Money podcast, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost look at our exclusive statistics on who is investing, who is bowing out of the market, and what the new generation of younger investors are doing. They also dive back into the question asked last week: how long do you need to invest for to avoid losing money? With some charts and data sent through to the team by Duncan Lamont, head of research and analytics at Schroders, they compare how putting money into either cash or the stockmarket fared over the past 150 years against inflation – and what the likelihood was of losing money over varying time periods. The team also look at what might happen next to house prices after the coronavirus lockdown put the property market into a deep freeze. Simon dives into the varying predictions of how much property prices could fall – and the bullish suggestion of one estate agent that it’ll all be fine. And finally, we discuss the businesses that we spoke to this week who are fighting veteran insurer Hiscox, because they believed they should be covered against coronavirus with policies that cite infectious or contagious disease… but it says they are not.

Welcome to the This is Money Show on Share Radio, brought to you in partnership with NS&I. It’s the start of a new financial year and with it a number of new tax changes and price hikes. Taking an Easter themed look through what all this means for the pound in your pocket Georgie Frost is joined by Personal Finance Editor Rachel Rickard Straus and Consumer Affairs Editor Lee Boyce. Plus we put the biggest retailers to the test with the annual Easter taste test.

Welcome to the This is Money Show on Share Radio, brought to you in partnership with NS&I. Retirement just got more complicated this week with proposals put forward to raise the state pension age to 70 whilst further question marks hang over the triple lock. Pensions seem to be the subject of wider controversy though as we hear nearly a fifth of women are retiring without any personal or company pension. Saving up anything for retirement also got more challenging this week though with the latest inflation statistics. A temporary peak or will the Bank of England finally move on interest rates? Answering all this and more Georgie Frost is joined by Editor Simon Lambert and Consumer Affairs Editor Lee Boyce. Also this week we find out how banks and cheques are getting a 21st Century upgrade.

Welcome to the This is Money Show on Share Radio, brought to you in partnership with NS&I. After its controversial announcement last week Philip Hammond has finally had to U-turn on national insurance hikes in an attempt to win back public trust. Whilst the Budget provoked considerable backlash less publicised has been changes in road tax coming in April which will see some drivers paying as much as seven times more. Meanwhile across the pond the US Fed has raised interest rates with attention now turning to what the Bank of England will do next. Speculating on where all this leaves our finances Georgie Frost is joined by Editor Simon Lambert and Personal Finance Editor Rachel Rickard Straus. Plus is a castle, a Star Wars themed cinema and beer Fridays really what it takes to be named Britain’s best boss? This is Money is presented by Georgie Frost in partnership with NS&I.

Welcome to the This is Money and Share Radio podcast, brought to you in partnership with NS&I. With world stock markets continuing to surge despite global uncertainty this week we’re asking if the FTSE could really break the 10,000 barrier by the end of the year. Examining the views of some of the world’s biggest investors from Warren Buffett to Neil Woodford Georgie Frost is joined by Editor Simon Lambert and Consumer Affairs Editor Lee Boyce. Also on this weeks show we look at a few backfires for the Government lately as many banks prove reluctant to roll out its Lifetime Isa whilst it continues to steam ahead with record hikes in probate fees despite only 2% support. This is Money is presented by Georgie Frost in partnership with NS&I.

Welcome to the This is Money and Share Radio podcast, brought to you in partnership with NS&I. We’re still on course for Brexit, albeit pending Parliament’s approval. Already a number of banks seem intent on following through on their threats to relocate jobs, but what about the local branches already shutting down across the UK? Meanwhile the FTSE continues to soar on the back of the slumping pound but questions remain as to the underlying health of the UK economy. Inflation also looks set to rise as does national debt although the latest GDP figures do offer some good news at least. To discuss how people can save and invest for the turbulent times ahead Georgie Frost is joined in the studio by Editor Simon Lambert and Deputy Editor Adrian Lowrey. Plus just when BT thought their problems couldn’t get any worse we’ll be announcing the results of the annual Money Mail Wooden Spoon Awards. This is Money is presented by Georgie Frost in partnership with NS&I.

Welcome to the This is Money and Share Radio podcast, presented in partnership with NS&I. Last week we brought you the shock news of Donald Trump’s poll defying victory in the US Presidential Election. One week later how has the world responded and what can we expect looking forwards? Despite fears of Trumpageddon the markets rallied delivering many investors with a surprising Trump bump. Many are now questioning what a Trump presidency will mean for post-Brexit Britain but a clue of financial news to come is on hand next week when the Chancellor will deliver his Autumn Statement. Philip Hammond has promised measures to help the so-called “Jams”- those just about managing- but is he likely to deliver or will he find resources spread too thin? Editor Simon Lambert and personal finance editor Rachel Rickard Straus join Georgie Frost to look through the latest financial figures and see just what the Chancellor is up against. Also on this week’s show they look at the pressures on young people and first time buyers from the housing crisis as well as the cost of coffee and the latest collectable car purchase on offer. This is Money is presented by Georgie Frost in partnership with NS&I.

A week is a long time in politics - UKIP; Fracking protesters; and the pound all got a pummeling, didn't they? Welcome to the This is Money podcast, produced in partnership with NS&I. This week, Share Radio’s Georgie Frost is joined by Editor Simon Lambert and journalist Ellie Lawrie to take a look at the week’s biggest financial stories. And we start with the speech. Which speech? Don’t be silly. Theresa May capped off the Conservative Party conference with an entreaty for the Tories to be the Peoples Party, but more importantly for our purposes, the PM gave some strong signals of protectionism and increased toughness on Business. Energy, pensions, transport – few sectors escaped her view. And we’re in no doubt about a Hard Brexit now, so how are May and Chancellor Hammond going to navigate this one? To further complicate matters is a near-perfect negative correlation between a plunging Sterling and a soaring FTSE. What are we to make of this? We’ll also be admonishing you to get your affairs in order, that is write a will. Few things ruin a family quicker than money, and family disputes over inheritances are on the rise in this country. We want to make sure your estate is dealt with in the way you intend, without breaking up the home. We’ll also be looking at ways of spending a windfall, the hyper-hyper-inflation of the new £5 note, and … you hear that? The carols are here early, and it’s time for a look-ahead to the toys on every kids’ Christmas list this year. (Sorry, but you really ought to get started early this year, they’re not cheap). This is Money is presented by Georgie Frost, in partnership with NS&I.