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Alphabet eyes its biggest acquisition of all time in Wiz, and a struggling retailer’s outlook gets worse – but it might be a buying opportunity for investors. Jason Moser and Dylan Lewis discuss retirement lessons and a reminder to ignore the exogenous from our colleagues at FoolFest 2024, why Alphabet is eying a $23B cybersecurity acquisition, Five Below’s stock going on sale, and whether new leadership can put the struggling retailer back on track. Then, 16 minutes in, Alison Southwick and Brian Feroldi continue their summer school series, running through the financial metrics that can help investors understand a company's valuation and one less common ratio that can tell you a lot about profitability. Companies discussed: GOOG, GOOGL, FIVE, AAPL, NVDA, MSFT. Host - Dylan Lewis; Guests - Jason Moser, Alison Southwick, Brian Feroldi

The entanglement of phobias and beliefs is a curious characteristic of the human condition. This episode tackles one such, in relation to birds — but the approach which Adam Cox takes to interrupt that association could help in other areas too. Most phobias are maintained by association, but what is it that builds these fears? Maybe something you've read or watched, but it may also be an association subconsciously introduced by others. Break that association! Lose that phobia ..

Daniel Casali, chief investment strategist at Evelyn Partners, looks at the outlook for global stocks, where it's been the AI theme that has driven markets, led by the six mega caps. But, unlike the dotcom bubble, there are real earnings here as these companies are generating big profits so the high ratings can be justified. We now need to see how AI will be utilised by businesses. He also explains why sterling could be heading for a revival under Labour, helped by an improved relationship with the EU which, with the Ukraine situation, needs UK military intelligence and equipment. If the pound improves for the right reasons, it could drive up the currently low valuation of the UK stock market.

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University found the King's Speech fascinating. He feels that if Labour can deliver 1.5m homes, reform the NHS and grow the UK economy, then it will cement its healthy electoral position. He wonders if the Conservatives can find the unity and clarity of strategy to survive, feeling that the party does not understand the hatred many of its former voters have for them. If Reform can capitalise on this, the Conservative Party may be in a much more precarious position than they realise.

James Cameron-Wilson revels in UK box office up 64% thanks to the bad weather and a raft of new films. #1 is Despicable Me 4 which he likes no more than the other 5 in the franchise, finding a U certificate for such a violent film surprising. At #3 is horror film Longlegs from Oz Perkins (Anthony Perkins' son) with Nic Cage, which James found well made and unnerving. He was less charitable about supposedly trueish #4 Fly Me To The Moon with Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum. Failing as both romcom and conspiracy thriller, it is flat and ludicrous. He was absorbed, if not scared, by the well-made and often amusing South Korean horror film Sleep about somnambulism, #17 in the chart.

Steve Caplin delves into the world of tech, where Tokyo scientists have made the world's smallest chariot, pulled by algae. Carmarker Stellantis have patented an "improvement" to the steering wheel. VR gamers will soon have a way to walk in the games they play. There's an inflatable tent, though you may not be able to stand up in it. A PhD student has produced a way of monitoring the old and infirm without being too intrusive. Imperial College claims they've found a way to prevent cancer and increase lifespan by 25% – at least in mice. And King's College London believe they can help you lose weight with transcranial direct current stimulation.

Sport is not only a good way to celebrate national identity but also a great way to celebrate human convergence; football is one of the best in this respect, where we see teams comprised of so many different ethnicities representing so many different countries. Just as regional identity is something to celebrate within countries, so also is national identity something to celebrate in a global context. But this doesn't mean turning countries into fortresses, and the United Nations needs to play a more prominent role in converging governance. Background music: 'India Fuse' by French Fuse

Do you feel financially confident? When it comes to budgeting, saving, investing, and building your pension, are you clueless, comfortable, or cracking on? A piece of research this week by Moneybox claimed that being financially confident could add £67,000 to your lifetime wealth – on average those with confidence were worth £145,000 on average, compared to £78,000 for the unconfident. But what does being financially confident actually mean and how can you get there? Georgie Frost, Tanya Jefferies and Simon Lambert look at how to boost your financial confidence and whether the tips to do so could work. Plus, a week into a new government and with a planned pensions review looming, the team look at what Labour could mean for our retirement savings. Meanwhile, investors seem to be cheering Labour taking charge and this week investment giant BlackRock flagged Britain’s ‘relative political stability’ and cheap stock market, so does that mean good future returns? Investing a large sum was on the mind of a reader who asked This is Money an unusual question: I’m inheriting £10 million, should I set up an investment trust? So, what is the answer to that? And finally, a new report has revealed Britain’s best places for customer service – did your favourite make the list?

The market may be overvalued, but some stocks are underpriced. Tim Beyers and Mary Long talk about whether we’re in an AI bubble, lofty tech valuations, and what an unchecked Sam Altman might mean for the rest of us. Then, 17 minutes in, Sanmeet Deo and Ricky Mulvey discuss energy drinks as investments, and whether Monster or Celsius deserves the title of top dog. Companies discussed: CRWD, PANW, MSFT, MNST, CELH. Host - Mary Long; Guests - Tim Beyers, Ricky Mulvey, Sanmeet Deo

Reagan knew how to budget. Jefferson knew how to party. Megan Gorman is the author of the upcoming book, “All the Presidents' Money: How the Men Who Governed America Governed Their Money.” Gorman is also the founding partner of Chequers Financial Management. Robert Brokamp caught up with Gorman for a conversation about what FDR, a “bit of a trust fund kid,” did if he needed money, how Ronald Reagan’s humble beginnings impacted his finances, and why a Great Depression president was a great investor. Host - Robert Brokamp; Guest - Megan Gorman