Investors' Chronicle

Ethical investing is often seen as a way to align your money with your values, but what does it really mean in practice? In this episode of Women and Wealth, Investors’ Chronicle’s Val Cipriani is joined by Madi Apthorpe to explain how ethical investing works in practice, covering ESG labels, exclusions, impact, engagement and how investors can avoid greenwashing.As more investors seek to support environmental sustainability, social responsibility and good governance, the ethical investing landscape has become increasingly complex. Val and Madi discuss how investors can navigate this space with confidence, the trade-offs involved, and whether investing ethically means sacrificing returns. They also explore how women investors in particular are approaching ethical considerations and what questions to ask before committing your money.Women and Wealth is the monthly podcast series from Investors’ Chronicle. You can listen to and watch the episodes, alongside our other podcasts, on Apple, Spotify and YouTube.

Alex Newman and Lord Lee are joined by Jerry Randall, CEO of Venture Life (VLG), a leader in the consumer self-care market. They discuss the company's history, the outlook for the wider sector and potential upcoming acquisitions.Alex and Lord Lee then discuss recent changes to Lord Lee's portfolio, including his moves involving British house builders Taylor Wimpey (TW), and new position in food and beverage operator SSP Group (SSPG). Alex and Lord Lee end with a look back on the last year of investing and how Lord Lee's Isa and non-Isa portfolios have performed.Timestamps0:00 Intro2:15 Background on Venture Life3:36 Selling off the manufacturer6:09 How Lord Lee found Venture Life8:03 Jerry Randall's background9:07 Raising money from markets11:59 Wellness industry & compliance16:18 Acquisitions & future deals28:20 Potential for dividends32:41 Lord Lee on the budget33:58 Update on Lord Lee's portfolio35:47 ISA changes38:03 Taylor Wimpey (TW)40:03 New position in SSP42:02 End of year portfolio roundup

We start today with a look at the potential megamergers in Hollywood as the battle to take over Warner Brothers Discovery (US:WBD) comes to a head. Both Netflix and Paramount Skydance have made big bids for Warner Bros this month. Who will prevail? Will politics have the final say? Will competition regulators? Julian Hofmann is here to discuss.Then our cover feature this week is all about the driverless car revolution. Long-promised, long-awaited in some quarters, is the big sea change in transportation finally here? As self-driving vehicles prepare to take to the streets of the UK, Michael Fahy will examine the prospects for the sector and for traditional automakers.Last but not least we look at housebuilder Berkeley (BKG). The housebuilder reported half-year figures earlier this week, Hugh Moorhead is here to talk through the implications of the Budget and the outlook for higher-end London housing.Timestamps:0:56 Warner Bros bidding war15:33 Self-driving cars29:30 Berkeley resultsBidding war breaks out for Warner BrosHow to profit from self-driving carsResilient Berkeley Group looks undervalued

Investors’ Chronicle associate editor Simon Thompson joins Dan Jones to discuss what 2026 might hold for smaller companies and the market in general.Simon and Dan discuss how equities are positioned for the year ahead, as well as the impact of the Budget and how measures including the reduced Isa cash cap could impact UK stocks. They conclude by previewing what to expect from Simon’s Bargain Shares selection for 2026 – due to be revealed in February – and how taking on more risk might be on the cards.Timestamps:1:27 How UK equities are positioned7:08 Economic outlook11:32 The Budget19:24 Mergers and acquisitions33:52 UK tech companies41:32 Impact of high interest rates44:14 Preview of 2026 Bargain Shares Selection

A day on from Rachel Reeves’ budget, where she announced a ‘smorgasbord’ of tax rises forecast to raise £26bn by 2029-30, the dust is settling. Everything from pension pots to dividends could be affected.Our panel of experts dive into the biggest changes affecting your finances, including all the tax changes, what’s going to happen to the beloved cash Isa and how the chancellor is changing North Sea oil levies.Read our Budget coverage

Economic abuse is a recently recognised but long-used method of control by domestic abusers and in this episode of Women and Wealth, Investors' Chronicle's Val Cipriani discusses what it is, how it can be spotted and the support available to those being abused in this way with Surviving Economic Abuse's Lauren Garrett.Economic abuse is a legally recognised form of domestic abuse and is defined in the Domestic Abuse Act and 95 per cent of cases of domestic abuse involve economic abuse. It often occurs in the context of intimate partner violence, and involves the control of a partner or ex-partner’s money and finances, as well as the things that money can buy. In this episode, Val and Lauren discuss real-life examples and how you can spot the signs of economic abuse and prevent it from happening to either you or those you know.Women and Wealth is the monthly podcast series from Investors' Chronicle. You can listen and watch the episodes, alongside our other podcasts, on Apple, Spotify and YouTube.In the UK, call the national domestic abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247, or visit Surviving Economic Abuse. In the US, the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines may be found via www.befrienders.org.

Our annual Investment Trust Special Report covers everything you need to know about researching, finding and buying the right funds for your portfolio. Val Cipriani and Holly McKechnie delve into topics featured, from discounts in the space, the impact of the Saba saga, increased M&A activity and more. It’s then onto Rightmove (RMV). The company recently announced its plans to invest in AI, which was met with unusual concern from the market. Hugh Moorhead explains why this occurred, how large a threat ChatGPT is to its plans, and more. Timestamps 1:34 Investment Trust special 29:18 RightmoveHow to pick the right investment trustsShould investors put Rightmove up for sale?

We kick off this week looking at power provider SSE (SSE), which announced a £2bn equity raise to help fund a £33bn upgrade to the UK’s electricity infrastructure. Valeria Martinez and Alex Newman discuss what the proposal means for the company, why it’s been so well received by investors and the wider implications.Next, we turn to the second part of our Aim 100 Special Report, where we look at the 50 largest stocks trading on London’s junior market. Dan and Michael Fahy look at cords and cable maker Volex (VLX), which reported interim results this week.Dan and Mark Robinson then turn to auditor MHA (MHA), which listed in April and has been on a tear. Mark gives his thoughts on the company and whether or not it’s too late for investors to jump in.Listen to more podcasts from Investors’ Chronicle on Apple, Spotify and YouTubeTimestamps:1:01 SSE16:36 Volex25:24 MHA

From a disappointing run with Treatt (TET) to his belief Goodwin’s (GDWN) is Britain’s most exciting engineering company outside of Rolls Royce (RR.), and STV’s (STV) profit warning to a floor coverings business benefitting from expanding infrastructure projects; this episode covers considerable ground for all DIY investors. It concludes with reader questions, and listeners get to hear Lord Lee’s take on what may lie ahead as the Autumn Budget approaches.Timestamps 1:21 Reflections on M&G episode 4:27 Treatt9:24 Goodwin18:05 STV19:55 Venture Life22:47 James Halstead 25:00 Primary Health Properties 27:20 Workspace29:21 MS International32:57 Reader questions38:45 The Budget