Investors Chronicle

Ethical funds might just surprise you. They can pay higher income than you'd expect and generate healthy returns. However, they might invest in stocks you're not so keen on too... This week's Personal Finance Show takes a look at when ethical funds aren't so ethical and looks at why some of them are outperforming. The team also tackles how to beat miserly interest rates by moving away from cash and into the market and also looks at why investment trust IPOs are back in fashion. Deputy personal finance editor Kate Beioley is joined by Andrew Summers, head of fund research at Investec Wealth and Emma Agyemang, Investors Chronicle personal finance writer.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

IC editor John Hughman is joined by Ian Smith and Megan Boxall from the companies team to discuss the week's big market news, including troubles in the telco sector, turnaround potential at Pearson and a big drug trial success at AstraZeneca. Apologies for the lateness of the podcast – we had to re-record it after some technical glitches in the studio yesterday.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Bacanora Minerals (AIM:BCN), the only pure-play lithium miner listed in London, is "100 per cent" focused on securing financing for its lithium carbonate project in Sonora, Mexico by the end of 2017. So what is it now doing on the German-Czech border? For the latest extraction podcast, natural resources writer Alex Newman visited Zinnwald in Saxony, to see Bacanora's new project with Solar World and speak to chief executive Peter Secker about Sonora, German chemicals and surging lithium demand.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this week's personal finance show the team look at what has been driving Artemis Global Income fund's returns, and profile some ETFs which try to eliminate the dangers of equity income. They also discuss ways to make your pension pot last through your retirement. They are joined by Rosie Bullard, portfolio manager at James Hambro & Partners.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this week's companies and markets podcast IC editor John Hughman chats with Megan Boxall about the companies working on cures for his rock star lifestyle, and Harriet Russell about the improving fortunes of the grocery retail industry. Produced by Alex Newman.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Provident Financial enjoyed years of share price growth driven by its credit card subsidiary subsidiary Vanquis Bank. But its stock finished lower in 2016 as bookings fell and domestic economic concerns weighed. CEO Peter Crook talks with companies editor Ian Smith about a stronger start to 2017, and operational changes in the group's doorstep lending business. Provident's shares trade at a fairly hefty premium to their historic price-to-earnings ratio. Given the costs of growth, concerns about the UK economy and the potential disruption of its restructure - not to mention a regulatory review - should investors be nervous about its prospects?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this week's personal finance podcast the team highlight some of the risks facing UK equity income, and the merits of overseas equity income. They also update on Baillie Gifford Japan Trust and highlight some of the risks of taking advantage of pensions freedoms.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Companies editor Ian Smith and guests discuss the latest ructions for energy companies alongside our review of Aim's top stocks including a look at BooHoo vs Asos and some of Aim's favourite oil stocks  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Drug pricing always comes with political noise, particularly when US elections are concerned. Over the last year, the share prices of pharmaceutical and biotech companies on both sides of the Atlantic have continually swung on the tweets and proclamations of politicians. In this special podcast, IC companies writer Megan Boxall speaks with industry insiders and tries to cut through the controversy and policy rumblings, to assess whether there are still good reasons to view pharma and biotech companies as worthwhile investments. Produced by Alex Newman and Dominic Toms, with music from Blue Dot Sessions. News clips courtesy of Fox.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

UBM started life as a newspaper company, and spent most of the last century building up its media and PR operations. But diversification is no longer the watchword. Three years ago, the company chose to concentrate on its global events business. The share price, and the special returns, show investors have benefited from that decision, but where does the investment case stand now? An acquisition-led growth model has lifted sales but also balance sheet leverage, while comparable sales have been slow in some geographies. UBM chief executive Tim Cobbold fields questions on the group's strategy from IC companies editor Ian Smith. Produced by Dominic Toms and Alex Newman.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week's Personal Finance Show the team is joined by Rachel Winter, investment manager at Killik & Co. They ask whether you should go for the new three-year NS&I Investment Guaranteed Growth Bond. Its interest rate of 2.2 per cent trumps everything on the high street but it is already lagging the rate of inflation. Should you invest anyway? The team also talks inflation-beating asset allocation and high yields from frontier and emerging markets. Deputy personal finance editor Kate Beioley explores the income potential and potential hazards of frontier market investing. Finally Emma Agyemang looks at specialist trust Impax Environmental Markets' (IEM). The trust has been shooting the lights out this year but is there a Trump-shaped cloud on the horizon for this green energy flavoured trust?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

IC editor John Hughman is joined by small companies guru Simon Thompson and companies editor Ian Smith to discuss why the Aim market remains a stockpicker's paradise, and why news of snap election could spell trouble for the FTSE 100.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Graphene and the hype surrounding atomic chicken wire Mark Robinson talks to Gareth Jones (CFO) and Jon Mabbitt (CEO) of Applied Graphene Materials about the realistic options open to investors a decade down the line after the development of the so-called wonder material.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The North Sea, recruiters, Libor, but no mention of Brexit… Deputy companies editor Mark Robinson steps in for John Hughman in this week's look at the latest news and signals in equity markets. With news editor Emma Powell and natural resources writer Alex Newman.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Bringing doctor surgeries into the 21st century, with modern facilities and a wide range of services is going to coast billions of pounds. Ironically, it will save money because a hospital visit costs the NHS far more than a visit to a doctor’s surgery. Without further investment, the situation is likely to get worse because more and more people are living longer, and this is the age group that is more likely to need greater medical attention. One of the companies at the forefront of providing more modern medical centres is Primary Health Properties (PHP). In the latest edition of our Boardroom Talk series Jonas Crosland spoke to chief executive of Primary Health Properties Harry Hyman, to discuss what needs to be done to help take the burden away from hard pressed hospitals by providing dedicated medical centres to replace old GP surgeries that are not fit for purpose.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this week's show Monica Tepes, director of investment companies research at Cantor Fitzgerald, joins the personal finance team to explain how investment trusts focused on alternative assets can generate a high income. They also set out the asset allocation models and funds you should be using in a Lifetime Isa, and explain how a new tax allowance could help to cut inheritance tax bills.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Companies editor Ian Smith and the team discuss the week's takeover news, Imagination Technologies' Apple contract loss and RPC's bears.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The subprime lender is delivering on the buy-and-build strategy it set out at admission to the main market two years ago. So why has its share price struggled? Its founder and chief executive, John van Kuffeler, discusses the group's growth, investment case and changing regulatory environment with the IC's companies editor Ian Smith.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this week's Personal Finance Show the team puts momentum investing under the microscope. Is it a good idea to buy winning stocks or is it a risky investment strategy? Deputy personal finance editor Kate Beioley talks to Rob Burgeman, investment manager at Brewin Dolphin and personal finance writer Emma Agyemang to weigh up the risks and rewards. The team also takes a look at two new high-income funds from Kames Capital and Miton and the investment trusts 'dividend heroes' that have increased their payouts for between 10 and 20 years.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Editor John Hughman and guests discuss Brexit, corporate fines, ageing & more  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.