All too many commentators on the UK economy are “default decliners,” according to Simon French, chief economist and head of research at UK investment bank Panmure Gordon: there’s nothing they can’t put a lousy spin on.

French and Janus Henderson portfolio manager Laura Foll join this week’s Merryn Talks Money to share their UK economic outlook for 2024. The data on the British economy isn’t looking bad at all, French says—certainly not as bad as the numbers coming out of Germany.

They also discuss their expectations for house prices and what sectors look promising right now. 

All too many commentators on the UK economy are “default decliners,” according to Simon French, chief economist and head of research at UK investment bank Panmure Gordon: there’s nothing they can’t put a lousy spin on. French and Janus Henderson portfolio manager Laura Foll join this week’s Merryn Talks Money to share their UK economic outlook for 2024. The data on the British economy isn’t looking bad at all, French says—certainly not as bad as the numbers coming out of Germany. They also discuss their expectations for house prices and what sectors look promising right now.

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

What 2024 Holds for the UK Economy with Simon French and Laura Foll

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a44b6f93-3609-41d2-ba2b-b0f40175b7a5/transcript

Host Merryn Somerset Webb is joined by Interactive Investor CEO Richard Wilson,  Anna MacDonald, investment strategy director at Hargreaves Lansdown, and Russell Napier, financial historian and Keeper of the the Library of Mistakes for the second installment of panel discussions at Panmure House during the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The panel discussed the state of global bond markets, how policymakers seem incapable of thinking about second-order consequences and the fiscal constraints facing the UK government.

Original Music Composed by Mint Sherbets

Host Merryn Somerset Webb is joined by Interactive Investor CEO Richard Wilson,&nbsp; Anna MacDonald, investment strategy director at Hargreaves Lansdown, and Russell Napier, financial historian and Keeper of the the Library of Mistakes for the second installment of panel discussions at Panmure House during the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The panel discussed the state of global bond markets, how policymakers seem incapable of thinking about second-order consequences and the fiscal constraints facing the UK government. Original Music Composed by Mint Sherbets

Live From Fringe: What Adam Smith Would Say of Bond Market Turmoil

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e64d789d-e254-4802-866c-b4bb0098cbf8/transcript

In this episode of Merryn Talks Money, host Merryn Somerset Webb is joined by Bloomberg senior reporter John Stepek, Schroders Head of Strategic Research Duncan Lamont and Nelsons Chairman and Creative Scotland Chair Robert Wilson for a special roundtable recorded at Panmure House during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Marking 250 years since the publication of The Wealth of Nations, they ask what Adam Smith can teach the world about artificial intelligence, government intervention and investing.

The panel discusses whether policymakers interfere too much in markets, why holding too much cash can be a risk in itself and whether investors should worry about buying stocks at record highs. They also explore what the rise of AI could mean for jobs, trust and the relationships that hold societies together.

Original Music Composed by Mint Sherbets

In this episode of Merryn Talks Money, host Merryn Somerset Webb is joined by Bloomberg senior reporter John Stepek, Schroders Head of Strategic Research Duncan Lamont and Nelsons Chairman and Creative Scotland Chair Robert Wilson for a special roundtable recorded at Panmure House during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Marking 250 years since the publication of The Wealth of Nations, they ask what Adam Smith can teach the world about artificial intelligence, government intervention and investing. The panel discusses whether policymakers interfere too much in markets, why holding too much cash can be a risk in itself and whether investors should worry about buying stocks at record highs. They also explore what the rise of AI could mean for jobs, trust and the relationships that hold societies together. Original Music Composed by Mint Sherbets

Live from Fringe: What Adam Smith Can Teach Investors About AI and Investing

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/67973e0d-3bdd-4aaf-91e7-b4b900a4e0cb/transcript

Hosts Merryn Somerset Webb and John Stepek discuss the latest Nvidia news in which the company predicted its sales could rise by around 70% in the next fiscal year, beating analysts' expectations. Despite the positive outlook, Nvidia's share-price bump was relatively muted, suggesting investors are becoming more skeptical about artificial intelligence valuations and the financing of the technology boom.

Hosts Merryn Somerset Webb and John Stepek discuss the latest Nvidia news in which the company predicted its sales could rise by around 70% in the next fiscal year, beating analysts' expectations. Despite the positive outlook, Nvidia's share-price bump was relatively muted, suggesting investors are becoming more skeptical about artificial intelligence valuations and the financing of the technology boom.

Markets Wrap:  Predictions Meet AI Skepticism

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/23c4ea19-f2ba-40e1-85ac-b4b30174839f/transcript

What 2024 Holds for the UK Economy with Simon French and Laura Foll

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