Could Scottish philosopher and economist Adam Smith make sense of the economic world that exists today?

In this episode of Merryn Talks Money, Merryn Somerset Webb speaks with Alec Cutler, portfolio manager of the Orbis Global Balanced and Cautious funds, Tom Slater, manager of Scottish Mortgage and Bloomberg senior reporter John Stepek about how portions of Smith’s bestsellers The Theory of Moral Sentiments and The Wealth of Nations relate to today’s issues in global trade, technology, renewable energy and investment strategies. 

Could Scottish philosopher and economist Adam Smith make sense of the economic world that exists today?
In this episode of&nbsp;Merryn Talks Money, Merryn Somerset Webb speaks with Alec Cutler, portfolio manager of the Orbis Global Balanced and Cautious funds, Tom Slater, manager of Scottish Mortgage and Bloomberg senior reporter John Stepek about how portions of Smith&rsquo;s bestsellers The Theory of Moral Sentiments and The Wealth of Nations relate&nbsp;to today&rsquo;s issues in global trade, technology, renewable energy&nbsp;and investment strategies.&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: What Would Adam Smith Think About Trump’s Tariffs? 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3ea3ed3f-31fa-4d01-9cad-b34800acf39c/transcript

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-term value creation—not just leverage—drive returns, and the impact of higher rates, tech and AI on future opportunities. Kurt also explains who private equity is (and isn’t) suitable for, and what the shift from public to private markets means for savers, pension funds and wealthy individuals.

Merryn Somerset Webb speaks with Kurt&nbsp;Bj&ouml;rklund, 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 &ldquo;real&rdquo; private equity is, how governance and long-term value creation&mdash;not just leverage&mdash;drive returns, and the impact of higher rates, tech and AI on future opportunities. Kurt also explains who private equity is (and isn&rsquo;t) suitable for, and what the shift from public to private markets means for savers, pension funds and wealthy individuals.

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

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/6e0c99b4-ce47-424f-a69e-b3b301703537/transcript

Marker 01

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. 

On this week's markets roundup, hosts Merryn Somerset Webb and John Stepek unpack silver's climb to a record high, oil&rsquo;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.&nbsp;

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

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e0486988-cbce-46de-af5b-b3b00159d43a/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

Live from Fringe: What Would Adam Smith Think About Trump’s Tariffs?

In 1 playlist(s)

Merryn Talks Money

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips