The cost of Christmas, car finance compensation and big UK stock market changes

AJ Bell Money & Markets

This week’s episode of the Money & Markets podcast explores the cost of putting food and drink on the table at Christmas, how supermarkets are coping in the festive season, and why higher cocoa prices could lead to a marriage of two chocolate giants. We talk to experts about big UK stocks and how Donald Trump’s return to the White House could impact green policies. You can also hear about changes to the FTSE 100, why the car finance scandal could be bigger than previous expected, and what’s going on with UK rental charges.

Kicking things off, Danni Hewson has some interesting figures on the supermarket sector which is gearing up for one of its busiest times of the year. [1:38]

Dan Coatsworth discusses how the cost of a Christmas dinner has gone up a lot this year. [4:35] The pair also chat about why a cup of coffee is going up yet again and why a hike in the price of cocoa might lead to a big US takeover deal. There is speculation that Cadbury’s owner Mondelez might have another go at buying Hershey’s. [8:08]

The FTSE 100 index has going through a bit of a change with a few new members including Games Workshop, another set to leave over the next 12 to 18 months (Ashtead) and a new name which is big enough to join but won’t be given an admission ticket (Canal+). [13:23]

The car finance scandal keeps getting bigger and the regulator has now said it could be on the scale of PPI which cost banks £50 billion. Dan has all the details. [17:50]

Anna Farmbrough and Ben Needham from NinetyOne UK Equity Income fund join us on this week’s podcast to talk about Wetherspoons, Diageo and more. [22:06]

Frustrated with the cost of renting in the UK? Danni has some potential good news. [35:50]

We also hear from Impax Environmental Markets’ co-manager Fotis Chatzimichalakis about the potential change to green policies under Donald Trump. [39:04]