Share Sounds presented by Juliette Foster

The Investment Trust Show brought to you in association with Henderson Global Investors. This week we're heading east to track down the best investment opportunities. Is China a good place given ongoing concerns about its growth prospects, and what about Japan? After the latest stimulus package by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, will investors finally be rewarded for years of perseverance? Juliette is joined in the studio by Mike Kerley of Henderson Global Investors and James Carthew Head of Research and Director at Marten & Co.

Though Italy and it's banking crisis (specifically Monte Dei Paschi) has been the central focus of concerns over the stability of Eurozone financial institutions recently, Portugal is also facing serious issues, as what some are calling an ongoing banking 'crisis' — not quite equal to the one in Italy, but significant nonetheless, dominate people's thinking in the Iberian state. Share Radio's Patrick Jones investigates.

We stood back to get an overview of UK markets with Andrew Parry, Head of Equities, Hermes Investment Management, covering NIESR’s figures on the slowdown in the UK economy from July, the UK’s trade deficit, UK industrial output, the 10 year gilt fall today, Sterling falling to a one month low against the dollar & much more.

This week on the Weeks Update we take a pause at the end of what's been a very busy news period for the UK markets and look at some of the most topical highlights from our regular commentator Professor John Week's recent shows, starting with discussion on Theresa May's article 50 comments with Professor Jan Toporofski of SOAS, then the merits of the new Chancellor Phillip Hammond and the performance of his predecessor with the economist Ann Pettifor & finally a closer look at the appeal of Donald Trump to white working class American voters with Professor Michael Zweig of New York State University.

Gavin Serkin is joined by Peter West from PAM Global Investments in studio & on the line by Guillermo Parra-Bernal of Thomson Reuters in São Paulo to discuss all things Brazil in our latest venture into Latin America on the show, with a look at what’s happening on the ground while the Olympics are in full swing and the pro’s and con’s for investors in a time of political & financial upheaval.

Conversations From Africa with Patrick Jones & Chris Bishop of Forbes Africa Magazine. This week - a look at the outcome of municipal elections in South Africa, an update on strike action from Eskom & petrol firm employees and a look at a new member of the British Museum.

Owen Smith, The MP, challenging Jeremy Corbyn for the leadership of the Labour party, has been in Rotherham today outlining what he would do if he was elected leader of the party. His proposals include scrapping zero hours contracts and increasing NHS spending. Meanwhile a new poll shows the Conservatives have a 12-point lead over the Labour party. Joining Juliette Foster to discuss these and other developments on the political front is Mike Indian, Senior Political Analyst at De Havilland.

In the aftermath of her death Jo Cox's ideals have inspired the birth of a new political movement. "More United", which takes its name from a phrase in her parliamentary maiden speech, rejects extremism and aims to give a voice to tolerant people throughout the UK. Juliette Foster, host of Investment Perspectives was joined in the studio by Dr Clare Gerada of More United who's a convener for the organisation and also a former chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners.

This is our latest Small Cap Investor segment, this week with Lord Lee of Trafford, Britain's first Isa millionaire. He sat down with our Senior Analyst Ed Bowsher and they began by discussing what impact brexit has had on the stock market so far.

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.