Podcasts

Georgie Frost was joined this morning by Nigel Cassidy to speaking on the latest market headlines, starting with that major company announcement this morning from Weetabix. Plus we hear from Lloyds Banking Group also making the headlines.

The UK's retail sector enjoyed a much needed boost over the Easter weekend, with both footfall and card spending seeing a year-on-year rise. London's West End experienced a surge in shoppers over the holiday period, with a footfall increase of 6.8 per cent between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. This compares with a smaller increase in footfall across the whole country between Friday and Sunday.

Internet ad spending in the UK has passed £10bn for the first time last year. Companies are now spending more than double on mobile video ads as Brits watch clips, TV and movies on smartphones. Internet giant Google has benefited from the surge in internet advertising – but now faces a row over ads appearing next to extremist videos on YouTube.

New Crossrail 1, or Elizabeth line, trains are set to start running between Liverpool Street and Shenfield next month. But what about Crossrail 2? Council leaders from London and the South East have urged the government to green light public funding for the £30bn project.

There have been modest losses for some markets in Asia. Analysts say that political tensions over North Korea are causing some caution among investors. But Japanese shares were up, sending the Nikkei 225 index to its highest level in three weeks. A slump in the yen created buying opportunities in shares of exporting companies, including car makers Nissan and Honda.

This week, Simon and Sarah discuss why airlines overbook seats, the co-founder of IQ Planner reveals all about his itinerary tool which enables travellers to make money from their adventures and there's an insider's guide to Cape Town. They first speak to Vivian McCarthy, the CEO of Acacia Africa about their bucket list safari tours.

It's time to talk politics. Today: grammars return; whether Corbyn's £10 minimum wage pledge is a good idea; and Donald Trump says US relations with Russia 'may be at all-time low'.

On the latest Market Wrap, postal unions are threatening to ballot for industrial action after Royal Mail announced it will close its defined benefit pension scheme in 2018. Plus, property surveyors are getting gloomier about the state of the housing market. Share Radio's Simon Rose was joined by Garry White, Chief Investment Commentator at Charles Stanley Direct.

On Company Casebook this week Linda Lewis meets the cybersecurity firm MWR InfoSec and learns how they help businesses deal with the ever present threat of cybercrime.

This week, Trump has talked down the US dollar, backed down on calling China a currency manipulator, and contradicted stances made during his campaign. Scott Lucas, Professor of American studies at the University of Birmingham and Founder of the EA Worldview blog, joined Share Radio's Steve Clarke to discuss all the latest from his administration.