Share Sounds. presented by Juliette Foster related to Politics - Europe

It's not just Brexit causing uncertainty for investors - upcoming elections in France, The Netherlands and Germany could produce headwinds for markets. What can investors do and should they trust the polls? Stephen Macklow-Smith, is Head of European Equity Strategy and manager of the JPMorgan European Investment Trust, JPMorgan Asset Management, joined Share Radio's Juliette Foster.

The new PM Theresa May stressed that Article 50, which gives EU member states a two year window to leave the bloc, would not be invoked this year. However choosing when to activate Article 50 is only part of the story. Could the UK negotiate the terms of a BREXIT and the shape of a future trade relationship, at the same time? What about the business community? Could British and foreign companies exit these shores if the uncertainty drags on? Jan Toporowski is Professor of Finance & Economics at the School of Oriental and African Studies, at the University of London. He joined Juliette in the studio along with Professor John Weeks, Share Radio's regular economics commentator.

Its been almost four months since Spain's general election resulted in the radical left wing "Podemos" party holding the balance of power in the country's traditional two party system. Europe's governing elites could only look on as Spaniards - tired of corruption scandals, relentless austerity and high unemployment - defied convention to embrace a party that had only been around for less than two years. However election euphoria soon gave way to political stalemate and this week Podemos members are expected to vote on whether the party should support or oppose a deal to form a coalition government. Failure to cut an agreement could see Spain heading back to the polls in June. Joining Juliette Foster of Investment Perspectives in the studio is Doctor Carlos Oya of the University of London, and Professor John Weeks Share Radio's regular economics commentator.