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Welcome to today's edition of The Apprentice Investor. Regular listeners to the show will know that our Apprentices are five members of the Share Radio team who've each been given fifteen thousand pounds of virtual money to build their own individual share portfolios. They have a minimum of eight stocks, which they've been buying and selling through The Share Centre. So....are our intrepid investors on course for a summer of prosperity...or one of penury? Apprentices Matt Cox and Alexi Phillips are in the studio along with Ed Bowsher, Share Radio's Senior Analyst.

The US Federal Reserve says it's upbeat about America's economy while the recent pick-up in inflation is on track to hit the Fed's target of 2%. It's a timely prognosis that comes ahead of next week's meeting of Fed officials and after February's employment data showed the US economy is creating more jobs. So if you're looking to take a punt on the world's biggest economy, what's the best way to get in? Cole Smead is a Co- Portfolio Manager of the Washington based investment advisor, "Smead Capital Management" and he joined Juliette Foster in the studio.

Linda Lewis visits the people behind Cauli Rice an innovative range of low carb, low calory rice made from cauliflower which available in supermarkets. About a year ago Gem Misa was one of the finalists slightly nervously lined up to pitch their business idea to Richard Branson in the annual Virgin competition for start-ups and new businesses. An advertising campaign was part of their prize, Cauli Rice got a lot of media attention. And not long afterwards their innovative range of low carb, low calorie rice made from cauliflower was launched in supermarkets and online. Since then, co-founders Gem Misa and her husband Jamie have raised more investment, won more prizes and are already planning various new flavours and business extras, such as a subscription service for people watching their weight who want their low carbs delivered straight to the door in a regular order. With sales soaring, they've also opened an office in Battersea, South London.

Welcome to Emerging Opportunities - the only show on your radio dedicated to the world of emerging markets with Juliette Foster and Gavin Serkin, the author of Frontier: Exploring the Top Ten Emerging Markets of Tomorrow, and the Managing Editor of Frontier Funds and Frontera News. On this week's show we're broadcasting from a rather special conference in Beverly Hills, LA. The event brings together a group of investors who are looking not just to make money, but also to help change the world - in a positive way. These impact investors are focused specifically on frontier markets and they invited my co-host, Gavin Serkin, along for their event. Gavin, who is the author of Frontier: Exploring the Top 10 Emerging Markets of Tomorrow, begins by speaking with Jean-Philippe de Schrevel. Jean-Philippe is one of the pioneers of microfinance and private equity investing in companies serving consumers in frontier markets. He is also the founder and CEO of Bamboo Finance.

India's long term economic prospects are good...that's according to the professional services company Price Waterhouse Coopers, whose latest analysis predicts that by 2050 India's economy could outperform those of the United States and China. However if India is to realise its potential, it has to sustain its reform policies whilst increasing investments in infrastructure and education. With so much in its favour is India the next investment hotspot? That's certainly the view of Spike Hughes, founder and CEO of Cohesion Investments whose joined forces with India's Reliance Capital Asset Management to launch a new fund. Spike Hughes now joins Juliette Foster in the studio.

A survey by the professional services firm, Deloitte, claims the Infrastructure Investment sector is facing a tough time amidst a 'risky regulatory environment'. The report surveyed 25 European infrastructure investors, including direct lenders, and amongst other things, examined how they're managing their assets. So what else did they find? Juliette Foster is joined on the line by Jason Clatworthy, an infrastructure M&A partner at Deloitte.

Has investment in start-ups and growing businesses become more attractive due to changes to Capital Gains Tax and Entrepreneurs' Relief? 1,200 members of the Institute of Directors were surveyed in April and Stephen Herring, Head of Taxation at the Institute of Directors, discussed the findings.

Morningstar, the investment research and investment management firm are this week, holding their annual Investment Conference. Share Radio's Alexi Phillips went along to the conference and spoke to Richard Buxton, head of UK equities at Old Mutual Global Investors. He began by asking Mr. Buxton about the prevailing macro-economic issues that are troubling him.

How much did you spend on a cup of coffee this week? Sarah Pennells is joined by this week's Young Money Champion Rachel Healey, Jasmine Birtles, founder of Money Magpie, and Justin Urquhart-Stewart, Head of Corporate Development at Seven Investment Management. Together they discuss how the cost of coffee can add up, how you can save money and what you could spend your money on instead.

If you're self-employed and need to set up a pension, where do you start? Sarah Pennells looks at a recent report published by Royal London with former Pensions Minister Steve Webb, currently Director of Policy at pensions and life insurance provider Royal London. Paul Allington founder and head of The Code Guy, gives his own account of setting up his pension, while Claire Walsh, Chartered Financial Planner and Head of Advice at Unbiased, gives advice on how to set up a pension plan. Sarah discusses whether the new Lifetime ISA can also help people set their pension.