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Iran war: the importance of a balanced portfolio
The conflict in Iran continues to drive volatility in markets, driven mostly by the price of oil. Despite our base case assumption that the war will last weeks, not years, markets are trying to weigh up whether there will be high inflation, a slowdown in economic growth, or in extreme circumstances recession.
It remains the case, that if you hold a well-balanced portfolio, aligned to your long-term goals, then the best thing to do right now is, generally, nothing.
But what if you don’t already have diversification built into your portfolio? We’ve been looking at what types of investments add resilience, in times of market shock.
This podcast was recorded on March 16 2026 and all information was correct at the time of recording.
Nothing in this podcast is personal advice – you should seek advice if you’re unsure what’s right for you. Investments rise and fall in value, so you could get back less than you invest. And past performance is not a guide to the future.
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150. Viral Money Trends
16:56||Season 1, Ep. 150In this episode of Switch Your Money On, Helen Morrissey and Clare Stinton explore the rise of AI, social media and viral money trends shaping how people manage their finances. From ‘no spend weekends’ to ‘loud budgeting’ and ‘cash stuffing’, they unpack what works, what doesn’t, and how these ideas can support better money habits. They also highlight the risks of misinformation and scams online, sharing practical tips to stay informed, protect your finances, and make smarter decisions in a digital-first world.This podcast isn’t personal advice. If you’re unsure what’s right for you, seek financial advice. Pension and tax rules can change, and benefits depend on personal circumstances. Investments can fall as well as rise in value, so you could get back less than you invest.
149. Inside the SpaceX IPO: Risks, Financials and What Investors Should Know
18:14||Season 1, Ep. 149In this special edition podcast Anna Macdonald and Matt Britzman break down the much‑anticipated SpaceX IPO. They explore what SpaceX really looks like as a business today, unpack key financials, losses and growth drivers, and explain how US IPOs work for UK investors. The discussion also covers headline risks, unusual prospectus details, potential dilution events, and why diversification and long‑term thinking matter when approaching high‑profile IPOs.Nothing in this podcast is personal advice - you should seek advice if you’re unsure what’s right for you. Investments rise and fall in value, so you could get back less than you invest. IPOs are higher risk as you’re investing in an individual company with no public track record. As always, this is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any of the investments or companies we have discussed today. No view is given on the present or future value or price of any investment, and investors should form their own view on any proposed investment.
148. Top Money Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
20:35||Season 1, Ep. 148In this episode of Switch Your Money On, Helen Morrissey and Clare Stinton unpack the most common money mistakes and how to avoid them. From delaying investing and neglecting budgeting to pension pitfalls, tax relief oversights and leaving savings in low‑interest accounts, they share practical tips and real‑life lessons to help you build stronger financial foundations. Whether you’re starting out or planning for retirement, this episode highlights small changes that can make a big difference over time.This podcast isn’t personal advice. If you’re unsure what’s right for you, seek financial advice. Pension and tax rules can change, and benefits depend on personal circumstances. Investments can fall as well as rise in value, so you could get back less than you invest.
147. Oil, Bonds and Nvidia’s Relentless AI Surge
24:51||Season 1, Ep. 147In this investment special, Anna Macdonald and Matt Britzman unpack a packed week for markets. They explore falling oil prices and what renewed supply-chain resilience could mean for inflation and elections, before turning to sharp moves in UK government bond yields and the surge in UK M&A activity. The conversation then shifts to the US, where Nvidia once again delivers blockbuster results, sparking a deep dive into AI, chips, competition and China’s role in the global tech race.This podcast isn’t personal advice. If you’re unsure what’s right for you, seek financial advice. Tax rules can change, and benefits depend on personal circumstances. Investments can fall as well as rise in value, so you could get back less than you invest. Past performance is not a guide to the future. This is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any investment.
146. Can you afford to live to 100?
16:39||Season 1, Ep. 146As Sir David Attenborough joins over 16,000 centenarians in the UK, we’re discussing whether you need to rethink your retirement as life expectancy continues to soar. With the state pension age set to rise in the coming years, what are the implications for how you should be planning to use your pension pots?We discuss not just life expectancy, but quality of life. How can work adjust for those who are having to work longer? And we talk about the importance of knowing where all of your pensions are, and how you might be able to find any lost pension pots.This podcast isn’t personal advice. If you’re unsure what’s right for you, seek financial advice. Pension and tax rules can change, and benefits depend on personal circumstances.
145. UK Politics, AI Boom and Market Resilience
21:17||Season 1, Ep. 145In this episode, introducing Anna Macdonald, our new Investment Strategy Director, taking her seat alongside Matt Britzman to unpack a turbulent week in markets. From UK political uncertainty and rising bond yields to the global impact of inflation and Middle East tensions. They explore why banks are faltering, yet US markets remain resilient, and dive deep into the AI-driven surge powering big tech and semiconductor stocks.This podcast was recorded on May 12 2026 and all information was correct at the time of recording.Nothing in this podcast is personal advice – you should seek advice if you’re unsure what’s right for you. Investments rise and fall in value, so you could get back less than you invest. And past performance is not a guide to the future
144. Why aren’t we taught this at school?
22:07||Season 1, Ep. 144It’s a question we’ve all heard and possibly asked ourselves when discussing money: why weren’t we taught this at school? Well in this episode, we’ll be covering some of the tactics you as a parent can take to speak to your kids. From the weekly shop, to pocket money, managing online payments, and budgeting, we’ll cover off some the tactics you need to know to raise financially savvy kids.This podcast isn’t personal advice. If you’re unsure what’s right for you or the child, seek financial advice. Pension, ISA and tax rules can change, and benefits depend on personal circumstances. Investments can fall as well as rise in value, so the child could get back less than you invest.
143. Ask Sid about Savvy the Squirrel
15:45||Season 1, Ep. 143In this episode, Emma and Matt discuss the launch of a landmark industry campaign to help people build their confidence in investing. They discuss some of the reasons that people are held back from wanting to get invested, whether they think it’s something that’s not for them, or they lack confidence. The new character - following 4 decades after the famous ‘Tell Sid’ advertising campaign of the 1980s - launched last week, and over the coming year we’ll all be getting to know the new investing mascot: Savvy the Squirrel.Later, a discussion on inflation data, the latest from the Middle East, and a lookahead to some of the major retail sector results.This podcast was recorded on April 27 2026 and all information was correct at the time of recording.Nothing in this podcast is personal advice – you should seek advice if you’re unsure what’s right for you. Investments rise and fall in value, so you could get back less than you invest. And past performance is not a guide to the future.
142. Your pension questions answered
22:55||Season 1, Ep. 142As the new tax year gets underway, this is as good a time as any to take stock of your finances and your future. Retirement planning should be high on the list for you, so today Helen and Clare are answering some of your top pensions questions.We’ll be covering everything from pension transfers to retirement options, and what happens to your pension when you pass away.This podcast isn’t personal advice. If you’re unsure what’s right for you, seek financial advice. Pension and tax rules can change, and benefits depend on personal circumstances. Investments can fall as well as rise in value, so you could get back less than you invest.