Is AI really a bubble? Is the UK economy broken with a huge “black hole” that forces Rachel Reeves to raise taxes? Is Bitcoin finally dead after the latest crash? In this episode of Noise Cancelling, Neil Woodford takes on the doom-mongers and explains what’s actually going on – and what it means for investors.

This week’s headlines say it’s all over:

• AI is a bubble or even a Ponzi scheme

• The UK economy is “broke” and facing a massive fiscal black hole

• Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are collapsing again

Neil doesn’t buy most of it.

In this conversation, Neil and Jon Adair break down three big stories:

🤖 AI bubble or Ponzi?

Why Neil thinks calling AI a Ponzi scheme is nonsense, where valuations are excessive, and which parts of the AI trade he believes are still underappreciated.

🇬🇧 Britain is “broke” and Reeves must hike taxes

What a UK fiscal “black hole” actually is, why it’s more about forecasts and politics than immediate crisis, and why Neil still sees opportunity in a deeply unloved UK stock market.

₿ Bitcoin: investment or pure gamble?

Why Neil sees a bet on Bitcoin as much closer to gambling than investing, what could genuinely kill the Bitcoin story, and how to think about crypto in a sensible portfolio.

At the end of the episode, Neil sets out a simple framework for dealing with doom-laden headlines about markets: how to weigh stories against valuation, history and real cash flows before touching your portfolio.

If you want to see how Neil is actually positioned on AI, the UK and more, his strategies and holdings are available on W4.0. More information: https://www.w4pz.com 

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