On this week’s episode of the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast, Danni Hewson and Dan Coatsworth assess how Andy Burnham’s first few days as UK Prime Minister have been received by markets.

They consider what the appointment of John Healey as Chancellor means for defence spending, and the row about how a VAT cut on domestic energy bills will be paid for.

There’s been some good news on inflation for the new government but it’s likely to be short lived, and there’s pressure to cut employers’ National Insurance for under 25s.

Rachel Vahey tackles the popular question: once you retire, do you dip into your ISA or pension first?

Danni and Dan discuss why is Primark cutting prices ahead of being spun out of its parent company.

James Flintoft, AJ Bell’s head of investment solutions, joins Dan to discuss the broader state of markets as the oil price climbs back above $90 dollars a barrel.

Timestamps: Market reaction to Andy Burnham’s first few days as PM [02:16] Will the new Chancellor prioritise defence spending? [08:26} Lots of speculation about this year’s Budget [15:37] The latest on inflation [19:24] Rachel on dipping into an ISA or pension first [28:59] Why Primark is slashing prices [45:35] Takeovers galore [52:35] James talks to Dan about markets, oil prices and more [55:50]

This week on the AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast, Charlene Young and Danni Hewson unpack the latest developments in global markets, from oil price volatility and the Strait of Hormuz to US inflation, bank earnings and what it all means for interest rates. They also assess Rachel Reeves' latest Mansion House speech and the outlook for UK economic growth.

Tom Sieber joins the show for a busy week of company news, with easyJet, Marks & Spencer, TikTok Shop, IBM, Barratt Redrow, PageGroup, Hays all making headlines.

Plus, Charlene explores the fastest fall in mortgage rates for almost two years, reveals what the latest HMRC figures tell us about Britain's growing tax burden, and looks at where holidaymakers will get the most value from their spending money this summer.

Topics covered [00:08] Introduction & market roundup [02:09] Strait of Hormuz, oil prices and global trade [10:41] US inflation, bank earnings and interest rates [13:41] Rachel Reeves' Mansion House speech [15:50] easyJet update [17:23] Marks & Spencer and TikTok Shop [23:14] Buy Now, Pay Later regulation changes [25:26] Shares magazine highlights with Tom Sieber [27:33] IBM results and tech spending trends [30:07] PayPal takeover approach [32:28] Barratt Redrow update and shareholder returns [35:23] Recruitment sector outlook: PageGroup & Hays [38:01] Paramount-Warner Bros deal challenges [40:10] Mortgage rates fall sharply [42:00] HMRC tax data and fiscal drag [46:43] Holiday spending money: where the pound goes furthest

Have you ever held Premium Bonds for years without winning a prize?

You're not alone. In this week’s AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast, Dan Coatsworth and Charlene Young reveal fascinating insights into Premium Bonds and explain what millions of holders who have never won a prize could have earned elsewhere.

They discuss the eye-watering increase in probate costs, a report branding student loans as ‘mis-sold’, and what Terry Smith’s latest shareholder letter could mean for investors in the Fundsmith Equity Fund.

In the markets section, we cover Sky’s move for parts of ITV, the latest twist in EasyJet’s takeover story, and some intriguing developments at SpaceX. Dan also discusses the market sell-off as Donald Trump says the US/Iran peace deal is over.

Finally, AJ Bell investment experts Ryan Hughes and James Flintoft join Hannah Williford for a lively debate on artificial intelligence, its investment potential, and whether the hype is justified.

0:00 Introduction

2:05 Premium Bonds: what millions of savers may be missing

5:19 Probate costs set for a dramatic rise

12:06 Student loans branded 'mis-sold'

18:11 Is Terry Smith reinventing Fundsmith Equity fund?

24:39 World Cup fever and the UK economy

26:34 Sky buys parts of ITV

30:06 EasyJet takeover speculation

31:59 Market sell-off as peace deal falls apart

33:45 This is what brokers are saying about SpaceX 36:20 AI investing debate