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This week we've had some worrying-looking unemployment figures and disappointing GDP growth. Meanwhile, the FTSE 100 soared within touching distance of 10,000, before hitting a Friday slump. Mix it all together and what does it show about the UK economy? Lee Boyce, Helen Crane and Georgie Frost discuss. Nationwide Building Society has promised to keep all of its branches open until 2030 while major banks exit the high street. Does it make business sense? The Royal Mint has launched some yellow gold coins that has investors excited, and what about gold's 'annoying little brother', silver - is it set to see prices soar? Lastly, we reveal the tale of a reader who had their flights to Dubai cancelled by BA at the last minute... before being quoted £20,000 one-way by Emirates to get away for half-term.

The stock market has slumped the first two weeks of November as investors worry about layoffs, consumer spending, and returns of the AI buildout. We discuss what we’re looking at and how we would invest if the market drops 30%. Plus, we discuss the bond market’s current view of risk, the state of streaming, and stocks on our radar. Travis Hoium, Emily Flippen, and Jon Quast discuss: is the top in for 2025? What bonds are telling us, the future of streaming, calls and puts, and stocks on our radar. Companies discussed: Oracle (ORCL), Axon (AXON), Zillow (Z), Spotify (SPOT), Celsius (CELH), Monster (MNST), Dollar General (DG), Unity (U), Roku (ROKU), Airbnb (ABNB), Disney (DIS), Netflix (NFLX). Host - Travis Hoium; Guests - Emily Flippen, Jon Quast.

Warren Buffett’s surprise announcement this past May that he would be stepping down as Berkshire Hathaway’s CEO left a few lingering questions that many ardent Berkshire followers wanted to know. Many of those questions were answered in last week’s letter he penned to shareholders that will be his new Thanksgiving tradition. Tyler Crowe, Matt Frankel, and Jon Quast discuss the end of the government shutdown and the market’s “meh” response throughout, Buffett quietly exiting stage left and his lasting impact on all of us, and stocks on our radar. Companies discussed: BRK-A, BRK-B, CSIQ, APPN, DECK. Host - Tyler Crowe; Guests - Matt Frankel, Jon Quast.

Adam Cox's Hypnotist episodes are all designed for individuals, but it's extraordinary how often they can segway into the realms of public policy. This episode is all about the challenge of turning decisions into decisive action: if that doesn't happen, it can better be described as dithering. In both business and social contexts, people discern what looks as the right way forward — but the follow-through into action requires a degree of emotional detachment: Adam draws on a number of movie metaphors for how it can be achieved. Could Rachel Reeves benefit from this in framing her forthcoming Budget?

James Cameron-Wilson's dislike of the Predator franchise isn't changed by the 9th in the series #1 Predator: Badlands which, with no human characters, bored him. He loved #2 The Choral, another film from the Nicholas Hytner/Alan Bennett partnership. Set in World War 1, Roger Allam and Ralph Fiennes star in a tale of a local choral society short of men. It's full of compassion, drama and humour and is timeless and uplifting. #24 Anemone is a first-time film from Ronan Day-Lewis who gets his father Daniel to return to the screen as a remote-living hermit. Also starring Sean Bean, it's self-indulgent and leaves the audience too often in the dark.

Steve Caplin reports that Australian researchers have found that coffee sharply reduces heart problems. Nottingham scientists have produced a gel that can strengthen and rebuild tooth enamel. There's a voice-controlled electric blanket that kills dust mites – only on sale in China. Many UK buses made in China have a kill switch which can be operated remotely. There's advice on how to avoid scams on Black Friday, a new AI e-ink paper reader, an outdoor electric trolley, an expensive "sock" to carry your iphone and an explanation of how Anguilla is getting even richer from having the right domain name.

Neil Shah of Edison Group says that the heathcare sector has had a torrid time recently but that many of the risks that caused the rerating are vanishing. Positives include demographics, innovation and the patent cliff, which is increasing M&A activity. He mentions some good specialist investment trusts worth considering. He also feels that small caps might soon come into their own, with Budget changes possibly benefitting them. There is plenty of value there and Rockwood Strategic, with a concentrated portfolio of just 25 stocks, has a really good track record, aiming for a 15% annual RoR. It's worth looking at their well-designed website.

Can you do a financial podcast and not mention the Budget right now? No, not really. But you can give it a good shot at keeping Budget chat to the minimum. Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert take breather from talking about Rachel Reeves and the endless cycle of madness that is the Budget 2025 build up to discuss some other stuff. Can they get through it without mentioning the Budget any more than five times? Listen to find out. First up it's interest rates. Why did the Bank of England hold, will there be a cut next month and how far will they fall? Plus, how have rate expectations shifted and where exactly do mortgage borrowers and savers stand now? Next, it's house prices. Leading estate agent Savills says property values are due to rise 22% in five years, but is that a lot or a little — and could homes actually be getting cheaper. Lee explains why savers are stashing so much cash and Simon sounds a clarion call for moving your money out of insult accounts. Then, via a quick diversion avoiding sneaky speed cameras, it is on to the turf war. Is it ever okay to consider artificial grass and what will it do to your house price? Listen to the end for B***** mentions score.