Share Sounds from Share Radio Afternoon

In The Bigger Picture Share Radio’s inflation expert Pete Comley talks about why CPI has shot up to 2.7% and why the new inflation measure incorporating housing is MASSIVELY distorting reality.

The Conservative party has swept across Britain making big gains in the local elections. The results confirm analysts expectations that a comfortable Tory win is likely in next month's general election. For more on this and the latest political news, Ed Bowsher spoke to Asa Bennett, Assistant Comment Editor at the Telegraph.

Archie Norman has been announced as the new Marks & Spencer chairman. Does this, as well as the appointment of Jill MacDonald earlier this week as Head of Non-food, mean that the previously troubled chain is turning around? Ed Bowsher was joined by Craig Erlam, Senior Market Analyst at Oanda to discuss this and more of the day's corporate news.

Lloyd Blankfein, the boss of Goldman Sachs, has said that the City could stall because of Brexit risks, and is pushing for a transitional period in Brexit negotiations to protect jobs and ensure stability. To discuss this and more of the day's big macro news, Ed Bowsher was joined by Vicky Pryce, from the Centre for Economics and Business Research

Share Radio's Ed Bowsher is joined by Moneyweek's Merryn Somerset Webb for their weekly catch up. This week - is India really an attractive place for investors? The two discuss the emerging market and more.

Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, is going to stop making public appearances. The Duke, who is turning 96 next month, will attend previously scheduled engagements between now and August, but will not accept new invitations upon his full retirement in the Autumn. According to a palace spokesperson, the Queen "will continue to carry out a full programme of official engagements". For more on this and other political news, Ed Bowsher was joined by Robert Colvile, Editor of CapX.

HSBC has today reported its first quarter results, and revealed that adjusted pre-tax profits are up to $5.9bn, compared to forecast of $5.3bn, continuing the trend of a bumper Q1 for banks. For more on this and the latest corporate news, Ed Bowsher spoke to Richard J Hunter, Head of Research at Wilson King Investment Management.

Service sector PMI has hit a 4 month high in data released today, up from 55 to 55.8. Meanwhile, the automotive sector has had worse news, seeing a 20% fall in new car registrations last month. To discuss this and more of the day's big macro news in more detail, Ed Bowsher was joined by Simon French, Chief Economist at Panmure Gordon.

Now the EU has reportedly raised its opening demand for Britain's Brexit bill from the previous estimate of €60bn to €100bn - apparently due to pressure from France and Germany - could a transitional trade deal be off the cards? To discuss this further, Ed Bowsher spoke to European affairs analyst Yannis Koutsomitis.

The EU says Britain's Brexit bill could be as much as €100bn - but Brexit Secretary David Davis says we won't pay. To find out more about this latest clash, and for all the latest election news, Ed Bowsher was joined by John Ashmore, Chief reporter at Politics Home.