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Retail numbers fall as some wonder if it’s more than cold weather holding consumers back. Bill Barker and Deidre Woollard discuss how the retail spending numbers might impact the Fed, if Stellantis is ready to take on Big EV, and Deere’s returns for investors. The, 18 minutes in, Drew University Professor Chris Andrews shares his thoughts on why some companies are changing their strategies on self-checkout. Companies discussed: WMT, DG, KR, STLA, GM, F, DE. Host - Deidre Woollard; Guests - Bill Barker, Chris Andrews.

The teenage years are often marked by periods of insecurity and awareness of all the things that can go wrong, and this inner dialogue can persist well into adulthood. However the journey into those later years helps by building resilience based on experience, so that these conflicted paths can be addressed on the basis of a growing store of knowledge. Adam Cox helps those challenged by this anxiety based on an inner dialogue to build a more positive, forward-looking approach.

Rather than rely upon press reports, Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University delves into Reform UK's policies, finding no evidence of far-right attitudes but instead a mix of old-school Thatcherite ideas with socialist control. He suspects some ideas could be appropriated by other parties. Donald Trump's Agenda 47 baffled him more, being a smorgasbord combining centre-left ideas on welfare with more nationalistic, protectionist policies. By offering something for almost everyone, he may have a broader base than previously. Tim is very concerned about the rise of thousands of fraudulent scientific papers, with 10,000 believed to have been retracted last year alone. This black economy, driven in large part from China, India, Iran and Russia, could prove extremely dangerous in the scientific arena.

Steve Caplin discusses the US returning to the Moon for the first time since 1972, entirely in private hands rather than equipped by NASA. There's an electric rickshaw with a detachable scooter. A top-of-the-ranger mobility scooter has all mod cons. Brian Eno's limited edition turnable is a work of art – but an ugly one. Steve wonders why there's a new portable CD player. Charles Darwin's library is online in its entirety, but dreadfully presented. Lithium batteries could be made far safer, if people are prepared to pay. Taylor Swift's songs could save people from heart attacks. Repeated vaccines should be given in alternate arms. An underwater kite could be the solution to strong wave power. And chocolate could have much less sugar – and more oat flour.

James Cameron-Wilson reports that 2023's box office was up 9% at £978m. This week, though, it's down 25% with no new big films. True-life wrestling pic The Iron Claw, with Zac Efron, made only £750,000 at #3 but nothing rings true and James found it dull. With no other new releases other than Peppa's Cinema Party, James turned to Amazon Prime for the romcom Upgraded which, while hardly a true original, he found smart, savvy and very funny. The dialogue zings and he was left with a stupid smile on his face. Not so with How To Have Sex, out for home viewing. This Cannes prizewinner about Brits holidaying in Crete was disturbing, sometimes shocking but authentic and skilfully directed. He was surprised, however, at the 15 certificate.

Are the banks cheap or are investors right to be wary? With results season upon us, Russ Mould of A J Bell points out how the sector has been underperforming, even though 2023 profits are forecast to be at an all-time high along with cash returns. It may be that investors feel 2023 will be as good as it gets and are wary of the economy's future. But for long-term investors who aren't particularly gloomy about the outlook, while the banks may be plodders, they do provide a decent yield.

With 1.45 billion speakers, English may be the most commonly spoken language across the world, but it displays a real poverty with the word ‘love’. It's not often that St. Valentine shares the same day as Ash Wednesday, but this year the essence of sexual attraction converges with the unconditional love of God at the beginning of Lent, providing a pointer to the contrasting splendours of this wonderful word. Background music: 'Forever Yours' by Wayne Jones

The cost of a comfortable retirement has jumped over the past year - but what do you need to get one and will you get there? As the Pension and Lifetime Savings Association updates its annual look at how much income people need for a basic, moderate or comfortable retirement, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert take a look at what this all means for you. If a comfortable retirement costs a couple £59,000 a year and a moderate one £43,000, which one do you have a chance of achieving - and are there any important bits being left out of the costs? The team look at the cost of retiring, why it might not be as expensive as it first looks, how to invest for retirement and what sort of back up the state pension will provide. Plus, why our real top rate of income tax is 60% - and it's not the highest earners hit by it on their next pay rise - and is there any hope that Jeremy Hunt will be the Chancellor who finally does something about it. The case for not just cutting stamp duty but getting rid of it altogether. And an interview with a modern-day business legend. Simon speaks to easyJet and easyGroup founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ionnou about how he started the airline and built it up and his Young Entrepreneur awards.

The industry defining companies continue to win in fast-casual, music streaming, and transportation. Emily Flippen and Matt Argersinger discuss Chipotle’s status as big burrito, and how things look as the stock hits all-time highs, Spotify and Uber’s impressive combo of growth and efficiency, and earnings updates from Roblox, Simon Property Group, and Enphase. Then, 19 minutes in — Valentine’s day is coming up! To help our listeners in matter gift-giving and money in relationships, Deidre Woollard caught up with Scott Rick a marketing professor at The University of Michigan and the author of "Tightwads and Spendthrifts: Navigating the Money Minefield in Real Relationships." Finally, 34 minutes in, Emily and Matt break down two stocks on their radar: Starbucks and Snap. Stocks discussed: CMG, SPOT, UBER, RBLX, SPG, ENPH. Host - Dylan Lewis; Guests - Emily Flippen, Matt Argersinger, Deidre Woollard, Scott Rick

Disney’s quarter included sports, games, and a healthy dose of cutting costs. Rick Munarriz and Deidre Woollard discuss Disney’s ability to cut costs, how Disney plans to extend its IP into gaming, and ESPN’s power moves. Then, 17 minutes in, Kirsten Guerra explores the complicated logistics that drive 1-800-Flowers. Companies discussed: DIS, FLWS, NFLX, FUBO. Host - Deidre Woollard; Guests - Rick Munarriz, Kirsten Guerra