Is the weaker US dollar bad for investors and why is Vanguard reducing UK bias?

This is Money Podcast

This is Money

Business News, News, Investing, Business

4.4 • 734 Ratings

🗓️ 23 January 2026

⏱️ 49 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Donald Trump has been hijacking the headlines this week, with his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos a major talking point globally.

With plenty of geopolitical drama afoot, what does a weakening US dollar mean for UK investors with money tied up in US and global funds?

Simon Lambert, Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce discuss.

One of the world’s biggest investment firms, Vanguard has spurned the Chancellor's efforts to drive up investment in the UK, as it plans to cut its LifeStrategy exposure to the UK - why and what should you do?

Nationwide has bumped up what it will lend on mortgages to six times salary – it means borrowers can potentially borrow £50,000 more.

Is this a step in the right direction or the path to trouble?

Are you saving enough for retirement? Our analysis shows what you need in your pot at every milestone age to be on track… and what to do if you’re off target.

This is Money reporter Harvey Dorset tries out a £5,000 smartphone - so what do you get for such a huge outlay?

Lastly, Lee speaks to actress Joanna Page about her finances – the Gavin and Stacey star reveals what her mum and nan taught her about money.

Email us hello@dmgmedia.co.uk

Text us 020 7938 6000.

Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen Crane

Producer: Georgie Frost

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to This Is Money podcast, sponsored by Charles Stanley Direct.
0:06.0	I'm Georgie Frost and joining me and Simon Lambert today is Lee Boyce.
0:09.3	And coming up, a certain US present has been hijacking all of the headlines in recent weeks,
0:14.4	but what do Donald Trump's antics mean for UK investors?
0:18.4	Meanwhile one of the UK's biggest investment firms, Vanguard has spurned
0:21.9	the Chancellor's efforts to drive up investment in the UK as it plans to cut its life strategy
0:26.9	exposure to the UK. Why and what should you do? Also, stay nationwide bumps up what it'll lend
0:33.5	on mortgages to six times salary, how much you need to have saved in your pension at every
0:38.6	age for a stellar retirement, and would you spend £5,000 on a smartphone? Don't think any step to
0:44.6	with all the latest breaking money news, just go to this ismoney.co.uk or download the app.
0:49.9	But first a message from our sponsors. Do you love talking about money as much as listening to
0:53.9	it, then you'll love this. Charles Stanley directs financial coaching service gives you a really But first a message from our sponsors. Do you love talking about money as much as listening to it?
0:55.1	Then you'll love this.
1:00.1	Charles Stanley directs financial coaching service gives you a real human, yes, an actual expert to help you make sense of your finances.
1:02.8	No jargon, no pressure, just clear answers to your money questions.
1:06.8	Book your free 50-minute call today at Charles-Stanley.co.com.
1:11.2	Forward slash financial coaching. Go on your.com. Dot-Uk.
1:14.3	Go on your future self.
1:14.9	Well, thank you.
1:16.7	Remember, investment involves risk.
1:17.7	Now back to the show.
1:23.4	This is, as we always say, a financial, not a political podcast.
	...

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