We begin with well-loved pastry seller Greggs (GRG), which suffered a downturn in sales per its latest trading update. Julian Hofmann explains the reasons for this, from heatwaves to competition from supermarkets, and what investors should make of it.

It’s then on to our Big Read on undervalued UK tech stars. Many of our home-grown companies have a lot to offer, but investors favour the US big names instead. Valeria Martinez and Mark Robinson look at the causes behind this, the “mindset gap”, and overlooked intellectual property.

Lastly, Julian Hofmann rejoins to unpack Watches of Switzerland (WOSG), which has taken a hit to margins thanks to tariffs. The retailer’s sales growth is ticking up, but the market still seems spooked. Mark and Julian discuss what issues are keeping investors cautious.

Timestamps

2:46 Greggs

9:25 Undervalued UK tech

15:54 Watches of Switzerland

Read more on these topics:

Star British tech stocks hiding in plain sight

Watches of Switzerland boosted by luxury jewellery but margin outlook disappoints

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We begin the show with this week’s big companies news, that Shell (SHEL) was reported to be in early-stage talks to buy BP (BP.). Shell has denied the report, from the Wall Street Journal, but speculation continues. Dan Jones is joined by news editor Alex Hamer to get to the bottom of it.

Next, we discuss how behavioural finance can make you a better investor. Val Cipriani has delved into the field for her latest article, and shares some practical tips that can drastically improve your returns.

Lastly we turn to beleaguered asset manager Liontrust (LIO), which has been struggling with outflows for some time – Mark Robinson and Julian Hofmann join the show to share their assessment of its latest full-year results.

Timestamps

1:22 Shell/BP

16:04 How to be a better investor

27:50 Liontrust

Read more on these topics:

Shell denies BP merger talks

How to be a more effective investor

Liontrust waves goodbye to £5bn in managed assets

Listen to more podcasts from Investors’ Chronicle on Apple, Spotify and YouTube

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Women and Wealth takes a look at the gender pay gap, how to ask for that pay rise and how to make the most of your work benefits. In this episode of the video podcast series from Investors' Chronicle, personal finance editor Val Cipriani discusses with digital production journalist, Madi Apthorpe, how the gender pay gap should be viewed, what can be done about it as well as offering a hope that work and society are moving in the right direction - albeit too slowly.

According to date from the ONS from April 2024, among those employed full time, women earn 7 per cent less than men. Across all employees, women earn 13.1 per cent less than men. But things are improving. In 1999, 25 years before the most recent release, the gender pay gap was 16.4 per cent across full time employees, and 26.9 per cent across all employees. However, there's still some way to go and in this episode, Val and Madi take a look at a reader's question to explain how women can make their pay check work harder for them.

Also in this episode, The Financial Times' Working It editor, Isabel Berwick, joins Madi to talk about one of the most uncomfortable work conversations, asking for a pay increase. Isabel shares her tips for taking the emotion out of the conversation with your boss and what to remember when you're asking for that pay rise.

Women and Wealth is a six part podcast series from Investors' Chronicle. You can listen and watch the episodes, alongside our other podcasts, on Apple, Spotify and YouTube.

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The show starts unpacking the latest results from equipment hire company Ashtead (AHT). Mark Robinson analyses the outlook for US construction spending, the company’s sensitivity to tariffs and its valuation. It’s then on to Ashtead’s smaller rival Speedy Hire (SDY), which is closing some of its depots due to rising staff costs. Listen to find out everything investors need to know.

Next up is one of the IC's Ideas of the Year, which are putting in a strong performance again in 2025. Pensions consultancy XPS Pensions (XPS) reported full-year figures earlier this week – Julian Hofmann asks if its booming business can continue.

Lastly, our Big Read on the medical technology sector. Mark Robinson covers the issues facing the industry, the options for investors and a potential tariff winner.

Timestamps

1:50 Ashtead

9:20 Speedy Hire

18:29 XPS Pensions

27:36 Medtech

Read more on these topics:

Ashtead stymied by falling used equipment sales

Speedy Hire attempts to boost efficiencies as HMRC loads costs

The cutting-edge medtech stocks worth owning

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Relationships are an important aspect in anyone's life; a matter of the heart but also one for your bank account. In the second episode of Women and Wealth, a video podcast series from Investors' Chronicle, personal finance editor Val Cipriani and digital production journalist Madelaine Apthorpe look at what women should be thinking about as they find true love.

Val looks at how women can protect their personal finance in entering a relationship and the important things to take into account as you move through the relationship stages of moving in with your beloved, getting married and having children. Madi discusses with Val how you should split the bills, whilst asking about rental contracts and what support is offered with the likes of Lisas and other savings accounts.

Val also answers our reader's question about what financial considerations should be made as she weighs up getting married. Madi and Val look at whether married couple tax benefits offsets the ridiculous price of wedding flowers and how women can protect their personal finances as they enter into deeper financial ties with their partner.

Women and Wealth is a six part podcast series from Investors’ Chronicle. You can listen and watch the episodes, alongside our other podcasts, on Apple, Spotify and YouTube and be sure to subscribe to Investors' Chronicle to get all your investing news and advice.

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Valeria Martinez begins the show by unpacking FirstGroup’s (FGP) results. Valeria and Dan explore how the renationalisation of rail franchises is affecting the business, the timeline for other franchise nationalisations and how the company looks compared with its peers.

Next, materials company Oxford Instruments (OXIG), which this week announced it was selling its quantum business for £60mn. Julian Hofmann looks at what it will focus on instead, its exposure to tariffs and more.

Last up, Alex Newman joins to discuss Blue Whale Growth holding Philip Morris (US:PM). It differs vastly from the fund’s typical tech holdings, and the tobacco company is now considered an ESG stock by some. Listen to find out the latest investment case.

Timestamps

1:46 FirstGroup

12:42 Oxford Instruments

21:38 Philip Morris and Blue Whale Growth

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Why don’t women invest more than they currently do? In this new podcast series from Investors’ Chronicle, personal finance editor Val Cipriani and digital production journalist Madelaine Apthorpe look into the financial decisions and issues facing women in the UK.

In the first episode, Val and Madi look at the investment gap and why women should invest more. Boring Money research estimates that there are 3.3mn more male than female investors in the UK. In monetary terms, the gender investment gap in the UK is around £678bn, roughly the size of Switzerland’s economy. As of 2022, British men had on average about £93,000 more in total wealth than women, a gap of 35 per cent.

Val and Madi explore why women tend not to invest as much as men, looking at the research that suggests that when women do invest, they’re often better at it. Val explains how to approach your appetite for risk and what women who are considering investing should do as first steps.

Women and Wealth is a six part podcast series from Investors’ Chronicle. You can listen and watch the episodes, alongside our other podcasts, on Apple, Spotify and YouTube and be sure to subscribe to Investors' Chronicle to get all your investing news and advice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.