In this episode of Merryn Talks Money, host Merryn Somerset Webb is joined by Bloomberg senior reporter John Stepek, author Dominic Frisby and Interactive Investor Chief Executive Officer Richard Wilson for a roundtable discussion at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The conversation takes place at Panmure House, the last home of economist and philosopher Adam Smith. 

The panel share their favorite Adam Smith quotes and their relevance to our current economic and financial climate. They question how relevant the ideas of Adam Smith are today and the lessons we can learn from his writings. 

In this episode of&nbsp;Merryn Talks Money, host Merryn Somerset Webb is joined by&nbsp;Bloomberg senior reporter John Stepek, author Dominic Frisby and Interactive Investor Chief Executive Officer Richard Wilson for a roundtable discussion at the Edinburgh Festival&nbsp;Fringe. The conversation takes place at&nbsp;Panmure House, the last home of economist and philosopher Adam Smith.&nbsp;
The panel share their favorite Adam Smith quotes and their relevance to our current economic and financial climate. They question how relevant the ideas of Adam Smith are today and the lessons we can learn from his writings.&nbsp;

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.

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.

Merryn Talks Money

Live from Fringe: How to Prevent AI From Causing an Economic Catastrophe

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/84ff56d3-95b6-49bb-9fc9-b34b00a5d206/transcript

Host John Stepek speaks with leading economist Gerard Lyons about the UK’s latest budget and why he believes it lacks both vision and credibility. Lyons discusses the risks facing the UK economy—ranging from rising public debt to sticky inflation—while also outlining where interest rates, markets, and global growth may be heading in 2026. He closes with reasons for cautious optimism, including resilient corporate balance sheets and opportunities arising from global diversification and AI.

This interview was taped at the Edelman Smithfield Investor Summit at the London Stock Exchange on Dec. 4, 2025.

Host John Stepek speaks with leading economist Gerard Lyons about the UK&rsquo;s latest budget and why he believes it lacks both vision and credibility. Lyons discusses the risks facing the UK economy&mdash;ranging from rising public debt to sticky inflation&mdash;while also outlining where interest rates, markets, and global growth may be heading in 2026. He closes with reasons for cautious optimism, including resilient corporate balance sheets and opportunities arising from global diversification and AI.
This interview was taped at the Edelman Smithfield Investor Summit at the London Stock Exchange on Dec. 4, 2025.

Debt Traps, Interest Rates  and Global Shifts: A Candid UK Outlook with Gerard Lyons

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/da52eca3-cd99-4ea9-b989-b3ae017d9bcf/transcript

Host John Stepek speaks with Helen Jewell, International CIO of Fundamental Equities at BlackRock, about an unexpectedly strong year for global equity markets — one in which most regions outside the US outperformed. Jewell explains why widespread diversification, renewed strength in European banks, and accelerating demand for energy infrastructure—driven largely by AI—are shaping her outlook for 2026. She also highlights key risks, including investor complacency, and argues that selective opportunities in European quality growth and UK small caps remain compelling despite recent volatility. 

This interview was taped at the Edelman Smithfield Investor Summit at the London Stock Exchange on Dec. 4, 2025.

Host John Stepek speaks with Helen Jewell, International CIO of Fundamental Equities at BlackRock, about an unexpectedly strong year for global equity markets &mdash; one in which most regions outside the US outperformed. Jewell explains why widespread diversification, renewed strength in European banks, and accelerating demand for energy infrastructure&mdash;driven largely by AI&mdash;are shaping her outlook for 2026. She also highlights key risks, including investor complacency, and argues that selective opportunities in European quality growth and UK small caps remain compelling despite recent volatility. This interview was taped at the Edelman Smithfield Investor Summit at the London Stock Exchange on Dec. 4, 2025.

Why Europe’s Banks and Energy Stocks May Lead the Next Rally with Blackrock's Helen Jewell

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/dfe0e79b-bdb5-4ce7-ba86-b3ac00e9e60a/transcript

On this week’s markets roundup, hosts Merryn Somerset Webb and John Stepek dig into the collapse of the proposed HICL–TRIG merger and the resurgence of shareholder activism reshaping the investment trust sector. They also explore the dramatic breakout in silver, gold’s renewed monetary significance, and Bitcoin’s latest bout of volatility—potentially tied to the unwinding yen carry trade and shifting global rate expectations. 

On this week&rsquo;s markets roundup, hosts Merryn Somerset Webb and John Stepek dig into the collapse of the proposed HICL&ndash;TRIG merger and the resurgence of shareholder activism reshaping the investment trust sector. They also explore the dramatic breakout in silver, gold&rsquo;s renewed monetary significance, and Bitcoin&rsquo;s latest bout of volatility&mdash;potentially tied to the unwinding yen carry trade and shifting global rate expectations.&nbsp;

Investment Trust Turmoil, Silver’s Surge, and Bitcoin’s Wild Ride

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1584570c-46a9-440b-88ab-b3a901594658/transcript

Live from Fringe: How to Prevent AI From Causing an Economic Catastrophe

In 1 playlist(s)

Merryn Talks Money

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips