We begin the show with this week’s big companies news, that Shell (SHEL) was reported to be in early-stage talks to buy BP (BP.). Shell has denied the report, from the Wall Street Journal, but speculation continues. Dan Jones is joined by news editor Alex Hamer to get to the bottom of it.

Next, we discuss how behavioural finance can make you a better investor. Val Cipriani has delved into the field for her latest article, and shares some practical tips that can drastically improve your returns.

Lastly we turn to beleaguered asset manager Liontrust (LIO), which has been struggling with outflows for some time – Mark Robinson and Julian Hofmann join the show to share their assessment of its latest full-year results.

Timestamps

1:22 Shell/BP

16:04 How to be a better investor

27:50 Liontrust

Read more on these topics:

Shell denies BP merger talks

How to be a more effective investor

Liontrust waves goodbye to £5bn in managed assets

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Women and Wealth takes a look at the gender pay gap, how to ask for that pay rise and how to make the most of your work benefits. In this episode of the video podcast series from Investors' Chronicle, personal finance editor Val Cipriani discusses with digital production journalist, Madi Apthorpe, how the gender pay gap should be viewed, what can be done about it as well as offering a hope that work and society are moving in the right direction - albeit too slowly.

According to date from the ONS from April 2024, among those employed full time, women earn 7 per cent less than men. Across all employees, women earn 13.1 per cent less than men. But things are improving. In 1999, 25 years before the most recent release, the gender pay gap was 16.4 per cent across full time employees, and 26.9 per cent across all employees. However, there's still some way to go and in this episode, Val and Madi take a look at a reader's question to explain how women can make their pay check work harder for them.

Also in this episode, The Financial Times' Working It editor, Isabel Berwick, joins Madi to talk about one of the most uncomfortable work conversations, asking for a pay increase. Isabel shares her tips for taking the emotion out of the conversation with your boss and what to remember when you're asking for that pay rise.

Women and Wealth is a six part podcast series from Investors' Chronicle. You can listen and watch the episodes, alongside our other podcasts, on Apple, Spotify and YouTube.

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The show starts unpacking the latest results from equipment hire company Ashtead (AHT). Mark Robinson analyses the outlook for US construction spending, the company’s sensitivity to tariffs and its valuation. It’s then on to Ashtead’s smaller rival Speedy Hire (SDY), which is closing some of its depots due to rising staff costs. Listen to find out everything investors need to know.

Next up is one of the IC's Ideas of the Year, which are putting in a strong performance again in 2025. Pensions consultancy XPS Pensions (XPS) reported full-year figures earlier this week – Julian Hofmann asks if its booming business can continue.

Lastly, our Big Read on the medical technology sector. Mark Robinson covers the issues facing the industry, the options for investors and a potential tariff winner.

Timestamps

1:50 Ashtead

9:20 Speedy Hire

18:29 XPS Pensions

27:36 Medtech

Read more on these topics:

Ashtead stymied by falling used equipment sales

Speedy Hire attempts to boost efficiencies as HMRC loads costs

The cutting-edge medtech stocks worth owning

Listen to more podcasts from Investors’ Chronicle on Apple, Spotify and YouTube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.