John Law: The Gambler Who Invented Modern Money (Part 1)

In this special two-part series, John Stepek and Merryn Somerset Webb tell the extraordinary story of John Law: a fugitive Scots gambler who became the most powerful financier in France and helped invent the modern monetary system. From murder and exile to paper money, banking revolutions and spect…

Gold’s Shine, Small Cap Hopes and What to Watch in 2026

On this week's markets roundup, hosts Merryn Somerset Webb and John Stepek look back at an unexpectedly strong year for global markets, with equities, gold and even silver delivering standout performances. They dig into whether 2025’s surprising rotations—from US mega-caps to value, energy and long…

How Much Should You Really Give Your Kids? Inheritance, Incentives and Money Mindsets with Hamish Leng

In this episode of Merryn Talks Your Money, Merryn Somerset Webb sits down with veteran financial planner Hamish Leng to unravel one of the trickiest issues in personal finance: how to pass wealth to your children without undermining their drive, confidence, or future independence. From the psychol…

Permira's Kurt Björklund: Where Are We in the Private Equity Cycle?

Merryn Somerset Webb speaks with Kurt Björklund, Executive Chairman of Permira, about where we are in the private equity cycle after several tough years and why he still believes in the asset class for the right kind of investor. They discuss what “real” private equity is, how governance and long-…

Silver Breaks Out. Oil Breaks Down. Markets Hold Their Breath.

On this week's markets roundup, hosts Merryn Somerset Webb and John Stepek unpack silver's climb to a record high, oil’s weakness and why it raises the prospect of an energy rebound, and the latest memo on AI from Oaktree Capital Management co-founder Howard Marks. 

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

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, …

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

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,…

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

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…

Dambisa Moyo on Why the AI Bubble Still Has Room to Grow

AI mania may be driving markets to new heights, but economist and author Dambisa Moyo argues the real question isn’t whether we’re in a tech-driven bubble—it’s what stage. Speaking with Merryn Somerset Webb, Moyo says that while valuations look stretched and investor excitement is unmistakable, the…

UK Budget Special: What Will It Cost You?

Merryn is joined by Stephanie Flanders, Head of Economics and Government at Bloomberg, Helen Thomas, founder and CEO of Blonde Money, and Money Distilled newsletter author John Stepek, to break down key announcements from the November Budget and what those changes mean for markets, investors and ho…