This episode of the AJ Money & Markets podcast explores the world of shares, pensions, property, wills, and much more.

Dan Coatsworth examines how financial markets have reacted to Donald Trump’s threats to take over Greenland. Gold is closing in on $5,000 per ounce as investors seek assets that have historically protected people in tough times. [03:21]

We’ve just had the second FTSE 100 takeover bid of 2026, and we’re only weeks into the new year. Dan talks about the bid for Beazley, and the downside if it disappears from the UK stock market. [07:16]

When the pensions lifetime allowance was abolished in 2024, it created a myth that age 75 no longer matters in the world of pensions. Charlene Young explains why 75 is still incredibly important. [08:53]

Discover how much first-time buyers need for a 10% deposit on a home in different parts of the country, and what the latest inflation figures mean for the direction of interest rates and mortgages in 2026. [14:08]

It’s important to have a will so your assets go to the people of your choice when you die, but lawyers are now saying certain wills might be invalid. Charlene reveals all. [19:08]

AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould talks to Dan about what buy, hold, sell ratings on shares really mean, how they’re created, and which UK stocks have the most or least of certain types of ratings. [25:13]

Finally, Danni Hewson talks to James Flintoft from AJ Bell’s investments team about how AJ Bell funds performed last year and his thoughts on the year ahead. [35:14]

In this deep dive episode, Laith Khalaf and Tom Sieber dig into the world of cautious investing, and ask how you can invest if you’re afraid of stockmarket crashes.

Laith and Tom debate the merits of cautious investing and how bad a market crash can be for your wealth. [00:09]

Laith talks to Stefani Williams, a financial adviser with Holden and Partners, about how she assesses her clients’ risk profiles. [8:50]

Laith and Tom discuss tips for cautious investors. [19:25]

Tom catches up with Alastair Laing, the manager of the Capital Gearing Trust. [40:40]

Laith and Tom talk about other risks, like holding too much cash and hitting retirement without enough money. [55:50]

On this week’s AJ Bell Money & Markets podcast, Charlene Young and Laura Suter take a detailed look at the stories shaping markets and personal finance. Tom Sieber joins the show to explain why global markets, including Japan’s Nikkei and gold, are hitting record highs [03:55]. And shares the latest results from Whitbread. [01:00] We then explore the Scottish Budget announcements, discussing the changes that matter for investors in Scotland and how they could have wider implications across the UK. [11:52] Next, we cover the latest cash ISA rumours and what potential changes could mean for savers. [16:57]

Dan Coatsworth speaks with Christopher Hart from Boston Partners about why financial markets have remained calm despite political uncertainty, and why he sees more opportunities in the UK and Europe than in the US. [22:16] Finally, we look at Britain’s Rightmove browsing habit, exploring why so many of us enjoy looking at properties online even when we aren’t planning to move, and what it tells us about the housing and mortgage market. [34:27]