Taking Stock - After The Bell

Hughesy and I recap a mad first half of the year with the Iran War and the continued growth in the AI build-out dominating the landscape. Despite the news flow and volatility, it's been a good period for investors and provides an opportunity for us to dig into some of the detail ahead of holiday season.

Can the UK return to stronger economic growth? In this episode, Jonathan and James sit down with Peel Hunt's Chief Economist, Kallum Pickering, to discuss the UK's lacklustre economic performance and what might be done to improve the trajectory. Despite all the doom, there are some encouraging that provide some optimism for the future.

Jonathan and James sit down with Polar Capital's Ben Rogoff to unpack the AI boom, where the real investment opportunities lie, and what comes next for tech markets.

In this episode, we're joined by Financial Planner Megan Rimmer to discuss how to take control of your finances. From understanding your spending and setting goals, to making the most of tax allowances and planning for the future. A practical, accessible conversation on building a financial plan that works.

In this episode of Taking Stock – After The Bell, we're joined by financial psychotherapist Vicky Reynal to explore why money so often triggers fear, anxiety and emotional decision‑making. We discuss how psychology shapes investor behaviour, why volatility feels harder in practice than in theory and how investors and advisers can help their clients by understanding the human side of money.

In this episode, Jonathan and James unpack a turbulent start to the year for markets, dominated by geopolitical tension in the Middle East, the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz and a sharp rise in energy prices. Despite the unsettling backdrop, global equity markets have proved remarkably resilient and in some cases have reached new highs. And Hughesy has been cycling.

Jonathan and James sit down with Quilter Cheviot CEO John Goddard to discuss his global career, what drew him to QC and how he sees the future of wealth management. They explore client service, international opportunities, the role of technology and AI and how the firm can continue to grow while staying true to its core values.

Episode 61 of Taking Stock – After The Bell looks at a dramatic shift beneath the surface of markets as fears around AI disruption meet valuations, earnings and hard assets. Jonathan Raymond and James Hughes discuss why investors are favouring 'bricks over bytes', the contrasting fortunes of software and semiconductor stocks, global market leadership so far this year and what softer inflation and...

James and I sit down with Freddie Lait, Managing Partner at Latitude Investment Management, to discuss markets, valuations and where he's finding global equity opportunities in a volatile 2026.

Following a busy, yet relaxing Christmas break James and I are back in the saddle to discuss the highlights (and lowlights) from 2025 — despite cancelled trains, fire alarms and broken coffee machines!

Jonathan Raymond and James Hughes discuss recent moves in markets including the latest wobble in certain areas of financial markets and we discuss the diverging outlook for 2026. James is looking forward to Silly season.

QC's Head of Technology Research Ben Barringer joins James and I for an update on developments in the tech sector following the release of earnings from the major players. We discuss AI enterprise adoption and productivity improvements, continued capex growth, competitive dynamics amongst the major players and valuations and comparisons to past episodes of technology adoption.

Are we in a bubble? James and I discuss this as well as touch on a few other issues that are keeping us interested here at QC HQ, including why does everyone seem to hate the UK?

With UK equities among the best performers, we chat with Alex Wright, manager of Fidelity Special Values, for his take on what lies behind the UK’s outperformance, as well as ask the contrarian investor which areas he has been investing in and what he looks for in a stock.

Now that the children are back at school and Hughesy and I are back at our desks, we discuss strong US earnings reports and the pleasing performance of the UK stock market despite the evident economic headwinds.

Not such a quiet Summer! Continued tariff shenanigans, cracks in the US labour market, the sacking of the head of US statistics agency and corporate results season give James and I plenty to talk about.

Now that we've passed the halfway point of 2025, James and I sat down to discuss developments in financial markets so far this year. It's certainly not been a quiet period, with tariffs, geopolitics, and fiscal policy all creating plenty of volatility.

In episode 51, we talk to Daniel Avigad, Partner at Lansdowne Partners and fund manager of the Lansdowne European Special Situations fund to delve into the intricacies of European equities, discussing the current market trends, regulatory changes and the impact of geopolitical factors on investment strategies.

Victoria Stevens, fund manager at Liontrust, joins us on our 50th episode to talk about what's happening in the UK smaller companies space. Recent performance has been challenging but she makes a compelling case as to why investors should revisit this neglected part of the market.

In episode 49, Jonathan and James break down the recent tariff news and discuss what it might mean for companies, the economy and financial markets.

Jonathan and James were joined by Stephen Yiu, lead manager of the Blue Whale Growth fund, to discuss Active vs Passive, AI opportunities and which of the Mag 7 can continue to perform.

This week I am joined by Kallum Pickering, Chief Economist at Peel Hunt, and Sam Boot, Investment Manager, to discuss, AI, tariffs, geopolitics and the prospects for the UK

We are joined by returning pod champion Dario Perkins, Head of Global Macro at TS Lombard, to chew the fat over where we are in the 'cycle', AI and productivity and indeed his time working with Rachel Reeves in the Treasury. Some great insight as always.

Hughesy and I dissect the major developments and stories from 2024, which ultimately ended up being a good year for diversified investors. Strap in for 2025!

QC's Global Head of Technology Ben Barringer joins us for a somewhat impromptu run through on all matters technology.