Merryn Talks Money

On this week's markets wrap, John Stepek and Sam Unsted, editor of the Markets Today blog, explore the implications of SpaceX’s anticipated $75 billion IPO, debating whether its massive size could reshape market structure, passive investing, and investor appetite for AI-related assets. They also highlight Bitcoin’s sharp decline this year and the UK’s long-running challenge of encouraging retail investors to move cash savings into investments.
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Inheritance tax is catching more families than ever, and recent rule changes will only extend the net even further. In this episode, hosts Merryn Somerset Webb and John Stepek discuss the most effective ways to reduce an IHT bill with inheritance tax specialist Rob May, including a detailed look at the types of insurance available, and how much they're likely to cost you.
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Could Africa’s long-misunderstood population boom become its greatest economic advantage? Economist and author Joe Studwell joins host Merryn Somerset Webb to discuss his book, How Africa Works: Success and Failure on the World's Last Developmental Frontier. He argues that rising population density is already transforming the continent by creating deeper markets, boosting agricultural productivity, supporting urbanization and making manufacturing more viable. While governance, debt and commodity dependence remain risks, he sees a more diverse, locally driven growth story emerging across Africa.
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How can Keir Starmer - or whoever leads the country next - help to turn the UK’s fortunes around? Simon French, Managing Director, Chief Economist and Head of Research at Panmure Liberum joins co-host John Stepek to discuss former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair’s 5000-word prescription for the UK economy, the growing backlash towards Net-Zero policies and why the UK is at risk of sliding towards another “Liz Truss Moment”.
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Hosts Merryn Somerset Webb and John Stepek take another listener question, this time around the pros and cons of ISAs, LISAs, and SIPPs. They debate the most tax-efficient method of saving depending on one's circumstances and why savers need to be aware of the withdrawal rules to avoid any nasty surprises.
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