Merryn Talks Money

Latest Episodes:

When to Invest in Venture Capital Trusts Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

Correction One of our brilliant listeners wrote in to point out an inaccuracy in the original podcast. We've removed the inaccuracy, in which the guest said you can roll previous capital gains into a VCT. In fact, while gains made from a VCT can be CGT free, you CANNOT roll over capital gains on other assets you have sold into a VCT. We will also address in the next personal finance episode.
On this week’s personal finance edition of Merryn Talks Money, host Merryn Somerset Webb speaks with Tony Dalwood, Chief Executive Officer of Gresham House, a specialist alternative asset manager, about Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs)—what are their benefits and when they are best employed.
Note: Listeners should always take advice before investing.

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Merryn and John Discuss the Showdown Between Saba and Investment Trusts Jan 17, 2025

Show notes

In this week's Merryn Talks Money market roundup, there's only one story on our host's mind. Merryn and Money Distilled newsletter author John Stepek talk about US activist investor Boaz Weinstein of Saba Capital and his high-profile attempt to unseat the boards of seven UK-listed investment trusts. Weinstein argues that a combination of weak three-year performance and too much tolerance of wide discounts means investors should welcome Saba's attentions; the boards argue that Saba is self-serving and that victory for the US investor would leave shareholders facing an uncertain future. "Everyone is right", concludes Merryn. But if you're a shareholder in any of these trusts, then what should you be doing about it?

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How Saba's Boaz Weinstein Plans to Transform UK Investment Trusts Jan 15, 2025

Show notes

“We’re not here to make trouble.” So says Boaz Weinstein, founder and chief investment officer of activist investor Saba Capital Management, who joins this episode of the Merryn Talks Money podcast, hosted by senior reporter John Stepek.

His claim may come as news to boards of many UK investment trusts. Saba has taken large stakes in seven of them and called extraordinary general meetings. Those gatherings could result in existing boards being swept away and replaced by Saba's favored candidates when voting happens over the next few weeks.

Why the UK? Why investment trusts? And why now? Listen to hear Weinstein's answers.
(Corrects podcast to remove incorrect statement about fund performance data.)

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How to Start Your Investment Journey Jan 14, 2025

Show notes

Each week on the Merryn Talks Money podcast, we discuss strategies for investing with industry experts. But rarely do we talk about how to get started on that investment journey. On this episode, Holly Mackay, founder and chief executive of Boring Money, joins hosts Merryn Somerset Webb and John Stepek to do just that.

They chat about how to get started in choosing an investment platform, including answering a key question (what is an investment platform?) and looking at the main options available.

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The 'Humble' Investor Says Sell Private Equity, Sell US Tech, Buy Polish Small Caps Jan 10, 2025

Show notes

Daniel Rasmussen, founder of Verdad Advisers and author of The Humble Investor: How to Find a Winning Edge in a Surprising World, joins Merryn this week.

They discuss his book, why all forecasts are wrong (and why we need them anyway), the case for selling US tech and buying small caps, whether we’re in an artificial intelligence bubble, and Japanese equities.

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Plunging UK Markets, What's Reeves Moment, and the ESG Rollback Jan 08, 2025

Show notes

In the first roundup of the year, Merryn speaks with Money Distilled newsletter author John Stepek about anxiety in the markets, sterling and UK gilt prices tumbling, and the fresh pressure facing Rachel Reeves and the Treasury from soaring borrowing costs. Plus, a look at the rollback on ESG measures across companies.
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Best Of: How to Invest in the Coming Space Gold Rush with Tim Marshall Jan 03, 2025

Show notes

We bring you another favourite from our episodes this year: Merryn's conversation with Tim Marshall, author of The Future of Geography and a former diplomatic and foreign affairs editor at Sky News.
He says there could be a "gold rush" in space. Just as miners in the 19th century ventured into the lawless frontiers of North America, the presence of rare materials on the moon and elsewhere might fuel a race to harness the opportunities of outer space.

“This might be one of the most profitable things in the 21st century.”

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Best Of: Lyn Alden Talks Bitcoin and Explains Why Money is Falling Behind the Times Dec 27, 2024

Show notes

For every listener who has written in to say "You must speak to Lyn Alden"--we're reposting our interview for you.
So this holiday break, please enjoy investment and macroeconomic analyst Lyn Alden exploring the history and future of money with Merryn. Alden discusses her book Broken Money: Why Our Financial System is Failing Us and How We Can Make it Better.

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Money Stuff Podcast: Stripe's John Collison Dec 20, 2024

Show notes

While Merryn and John enjoy a holiday break, we bring you an episode from our colleagues on the Money Stuff podcast team. Hosts Matt Levine and Katie Greifeld spoke earlier this year with John Collison, the co-founder and president of Stripe. Here is their conversation on the financial services business, why payments are hard, what's good about crypto, why IPOs don't matter and how to fly planes.

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UK Wage Inflation, American Euphoria and The Investment Trust Invasion Dec 18, 2024

Show notes

In this week's roundup, Merryn speaks with Money Distilled newsletter author John Stepek about the downside that comes with UK wages going up, Guy Hands and military homes, US exuberance reaching critical levels, and why it's important that US activist fund manager Saba Capital has been building up positions in lots of investment trusts.
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