Merryn Talks Money
Bloomberg
Merryn Talks Money with Bloomberg senior columnist Merryn Somerset Webb is your key to understanding how markets work – and how you can make them work for you. Every episode features a relaxed but in-depth conversation with a fund manager, a strategist, a Bloomberg expert or just someone Merryn finds particularly interesting in any given week. Listen in for the kind of insights and explanations everyone can use to help them make better saving and investing choices.
Episodes
Mentioned books
11 snips
Mar 27, 2026 • 16min
Markets Wrap: Gold, Bonds and Bitcoin Struggle as War Uncertainty Clouds Investor Outlook
Marcus Ashworth, Bloomberg Opinion columnist and markets expert, tackles how war-driven geopolitics scramble gold, bonds and currencies. He breaks down technicals for non-yielding assets and why central banks might sell gold. Expect debates on rate risk, liquidity, cash as refuge, and how political moves ripple through markets.
Mar 25, 2026 • 48min
What's Eating Away at Inheritance Money
Paula Steele, director at John Lamb Hill Oldridge and experienced financial adviser, focuses on estate planning, life insurance and tax-efficient wealth transfer. She discusses balancing care-costs with gifts. She covers pension tax changes, annuities and using gifts, trusts and insurance to protect inheritances. Family dynamics, educating heirs and practical tools for funding tax liabilities are explored.
6 snips
Mar 23, 2026 • 36min
The Convergence Trade: Cathie Wood’s Boldest Predictions
Cathie Wood, CEO and CIO of ARK Invest known for backing disruptive tech like AI, CRISPR, Bitcoin and Tesla. She discusses AI and robotaxis, biotech convergence with sequencing and CRISPR, energy and space infrastructure, and how these technologies could combine to accelerate growth and reshape markets.
4 snips
Mar 22, 2026 • 2min
Introducing: Leaders with Francine Lacqua
A lively intro to candid conversations with top CEOs and global industry leaders. It explores pivotal moments when leaders step up and the decisions that define success. Short, practical leadership rules are shared—embrace imperfect choices, find truth tellers, and resist FOMO in strategy. An invitation to follow future leadership talks.
25 snips
Mar 20, 2026 • 28min
Inflation Isn’t Done: Why the Next Shock Could Be Worse
Sebastian Lyon, founder and CIO of Troy Asset Management known for inflation-focused portfolio construction. He explains why markets feel calm despite geopolitical shocks. He discusses preparing portfolios for dislocations and prioritising real returns over benchmarks. He outlines drivers of a new sticky inflation regime and why traditional 60/40 approaches and sovereign bonds may no longer protect investors.
16 snips
Mar 18, 2026 • 9min
What Are Absolute Return Funds And Should You Invest In Them?
They explain what absolute return funds aim to do and why targeting positive real returns appeals to investors. They contrast diverse strategies from hedge-fund styles to conservative multi-asset approaches. Discussion covers using these funds as portfolio ballast, what to check when choosing one, and the gap between targets and actual performance.
31 snips
Mar 16, 2026 • 31min
Why Contrarians Can't Get Enough of Real Assets
Alec Cutler, contrarian investor who runs Orbis’s Global Balanced and Cautious funds, explains his “pyramid of needs” for nations. He discusses the shift from speculative tech to energy, infrastructure and national security. Conversations cover AI infrastructure links to energy and semiconductors, North Sea and UK energy solutions, Japan’s appeal, and resource‑rich sovereign opportunities.
14 snips
Mar 13, 2026 • 21min
Markets Wrap: Private Credit, War and a Lack of Safe Havens
They dig into oil's violent intraday swings and how war headlines drive market jolts. They debate whether gold, bonds or hard assets can actually protect capital in a fragmented world. They explore private credit's rapid growth, opacity and retail access risks. They highlight supply-chain choke points, energy and food security, and why real assets might gain appeal.
4 snips
Mar 11, 2026 • 10min
UK Smart Savings Dilemma: SIPP, ISA or LISA?
They debate whether to prioritise a SIPP, ISA or Lifetime ISA for retirement savings. They unpack LISA rules, penalties and first‑time buyer limits. They compare pension lock‑in and tax perks with ISA flexibility. They weigh political risk to pensions and when salary‑sacrifice makes pensions more attractive.
29 snips
Mar 9, 2026 • 34min
Gold, Debt and the AI Boom: A Financial Historian’s Warning
Edward Chancellor, investment strategist and financial historian, offers a historical take on markets, debt and gold. He discusses the AI boom and whether current enthusiasm is a bubble. He explores energy constraints, rising long-term rates and sovereign debt risks. He makes the case for gold, commodities, Japan and emerging markets over bonds and expensive growth stocks.
