Bridge Talks Business with Milford

Episode 59: What's shaping up 2026?

It’s been a whirlwind start to the year, with geopolitical uncertainty and myriad market moves dominating the media. Amidst all of this, investors are increasingly expecting global growth to improve in 2026. Milford Portfolio Manager Mark Riggall talks with Ryan Bridge about the themes expected to influence the market as the year progresses.
 
This podcast is intended to provide general information only. It does not take into account your investment needs or personal circumstances. It is not intended to be viewed as investment or financial advice. Should you require financial advice you should always speak to a Financial Adviser. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Milford is an active fund manager with views and portfolio positions subject to change. Milford Funds Limited is the issuer of the Milford KiwiSaver Plan and the Milford Investment Funds. Please read the relevant Milford Product Disclosure Statement at milfordasset.com. Before investing, you may wish to seek financial advice. The disclosure statements of all Milford Financial Advisers contain more information and are available for free on request. For more information and to see our Financial Advice Provider Disclosure statement, please visit milfordasset.com/getting-advice

Episode 58: Market Recap - The Key Themes that Shaped 2025

From AI and sticky inflation, to US tariffs and gold – global markets this year have been full of opportunity and risk. Milford Portfolio Manager Frances Sweetman looks back over 2025 with Ryan Bridge, highlighting the major trends that influenced markets, and outlining what analysts are watching to stay ahead in 2026.  
 
This podcast is intended to provide general information only. It does not take into account your investment needs or personal circumstances. It is not intended to be viewed as investment or financial advice. Should you require financial advice you should always speak to a Financial Adviser. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Milford is an active fund manager with views and portfolio positions subject to change. Milford Funds Limited is the issuer of the Milford KiwiSaver Plan and the Milford Investment Funds. Please read the relevant Milford Product Disclosure Statement at milfordasset.com. Before investing, you may wish to seek financial advice. The disclosure statements of all Milford Financial Advisers contain more information and are available for free on request. For more information and to see our Financial Advice Provider Disclosure statement, please visit milfordasset.com/getting-advice

Episode 57: Are we seeing New Zealand’s economy improve?

Recent company updates from some of New Zealand’s leading businesses indicate increased activity compared to this time last year. Is this a sign the economy is improving? Milford Investment Analyst Jeremy Hutton breaks down the data with Ryan Bridge, including influences such as the OCR, interest rate outlook and labour market.
 
This podcast is intended to provide general information only. It does not take into account your investment needs or personal circumstances. It is not intended to be viewed as investment or financial advice. Should you require financial advice you should always speak to a Financial Adviser. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Milford is an active fund manager with views and portfolio positions subject to change. Milford Funds Limited is the issuer of the Milford KiwiSaver Plan and the Milford Investment Funds. Please read the relevant Milford Product Disclosure Statement at milfordasset.com. Before investing, you may wish to seek financial advice. The disclosure statements of all Milford Financial Advisers contain more information and are available for free on request. For more information and to see our Financial Advice Provider Disclosure statement, please visit milfordasset.com/getting-advice

Episode 56: AI bubble - fact or fiction

There’s a lot of hype in the media about a potential AI bubble. What is an AI bubble and should we be afraid of it? Milford Senior Investment Analyst Andrew Curtayne talks with Ryan Bridge about global investment into AI, key factors that determine a ‘bubble’, and what it all means for us in New Zealand.
 
This podcast is intended to provide general information only. It does not take into account your investment needs or personal circumstances. It is not intended to be viewed as investment or financial advice. Should you require financial advice you should always speak to a Financial Adviser. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Milford is an active fund manager with views and portfolio positions subject to change. Milford Funds Limited is the issuer of the Milford KiwiSaver Plan and the Milford Investment Funds. Please read the relevant Milford Product Disclosure Statement at milfordasset.com. Before investing, you may wish to seek financial advice. The disclosure statements of all Milford Financial Advisers contain more information and are available for free on request. For more information and to see our Financial Advice Provider Disclosure statement, please visit milfordasset.com/getting-advice

Episode 55: What are Stablecoins and why do we need them?

In the world of cryptocurrency, Stablecoins are designed to offer price stability, making them less volatile than other cryptos like Bitcoin. Globally, it is believed approximately $255 billion is invested in Stablecoin (as of June 2025). But despite the name, Stablecoins are not necessarily stable. Milford Credit Analyst Remy Morgan talks to Ryan Bridge about how Stablecoins are used, where are they stored, and why they play such a vital role in the crypto market.
 
This podcast is intended to provide general information only. It does not take into account your investment needs or personal circumstances. It is not intended to be viewed as investment or financial advice. Should you require financial advice you should always speak to a Financial Adviser. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Milford is an active fund manager with views and portfolio positions subject to change. Milford Funds Limited is the issuer of the Milford KiwiSaver Plan and the Milford Investment Funds. Please read the relevant Milford Product Disclosure Statement at milfordasset.com. Before investing, you may wish to seek financial advice. The disclosure statements of all Milford Financial Advisers contain more information and are available for free on request. For more information and to see our Financial Advice Provider Disclosure statement, please visit milfordasset.com/getting-advice

Episode 54: What 18 years of KiwiSaver have taught us

KiwiSaver has reshaped how our nation saves for retirement, and broadened access to investment funds for a new generation. What are the lessons we’ve learnt along the way, and how could KiwiSaver evolve moving forward? Milford Portfolio Manager Jono Windust talks with Ryan Bridge about key learnings on reflection, and the critical drivers for continued KiwiSaver success.
 
This podcast is intended to provide general information only. It does not take into account your investment needs or personal circumstances. It is not intended to be viewed as investment or financial advice. Should you require financial advice you should always speak to a Financial Adviser. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Milford is an active fund manager with views and portfolio positions subject to change. Milford Funds Limited is the issuer of the Milford KiwiSaver Plan and the Milford Investment Funds. Please read the relevant Milford Product Disclosure Statement at milfordasset.com. Before investing, you may wish to seek financial advice. The disclosure statements of all Milford Financial Advisers contain more information and are available for free on request. For more information and to see our Financial Advice Provider Disclosure statement, please visit milfordasset.com/getting-advice

Episode 53: What’s keeping investors awake at night?

Interest rates, AI, property, gold, Trump and tariffs. Investors have a lot to consider in this volatile geopolitical landscape. Ryan Bridge discusses these ‘frequently-asked-about topics’ with Milford Financial Adviser Bruce O’Leary, including investment strategies to mitigate risk.
 
This podcast is intended to provide general information only. It does not take into account your investment needs or personal circumstances. It is not intended to be viewed as investment or financial advice. Should you require financial advice you should always speak to a Financial Adviser. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Milford is an active fund manager with views and portfolio positions subject to change. Milford Funds Limited is the issuer of the Milford KiwiSaver Plan and the Milford Investment Funds. Please read the relevant Milford Product Disclosure Statement at milfordasset.com. Before investing, you may wish to seek financial advice. The disclosure statements of all Milford Financial Advisers contain more information and are available for free on request. For more information and to see our Financial Advice Provider Disclosure statement, please visit milfordasset.com/getting-advice

Episode 52: How low can interest rates go?

The RBNZ cut the Official Cash Rate by 50 basis points last week, prompting markets to readjust interest rate expectations lower.  What does this mean for mortgage rates, the housing market and New Zealand businesses? Milford Credit Analyst Remy Morgan talks to Ryan Bridge about the market reaction, and the factors that will determine a further cut at the RBNZ’s November meeting.
 
This podcast is intended to provide general information only. It does not take into account your investment needs or personal circumstances. It is not intended to be viewed as investment or financial advice. Should you require financial advice you should always speak to a Financial Adviser. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Milford is an active fund manager with views and portfolio positions subject to change. Milford Funds Limited is the issuer of the Milford KiwiSaver Plan and the Milford Investment Funds. Please read the relevant Milford Product Disclosure Statement at milfordasset.com. Before investing, you may wish to seek financial advice. The disclosure statements of all Milford Financial Advisers contain more information and are available for free on request. For more information and to see our Financial Advice Provider Disclosure statement, please visit milfordasset.com/getting-advice

Episode 51: Inside Gen Z’s money mindset

From saving and spending habits to declining confidence with money, what’s really going on with Gen Z’s finances? Ryan Bridge is joined by Financial Services Council CEO, Kirk Hope, to unpack the latest research and explore how KiwiSaver could help this generation turn good intentions into lasting wealth.
This podcast is intended to provide general information only. It does not take into account your investment needs or personal circumstances. It is not intended to be viewed as investment or financial advice. Should you require financial advice you should always speak to a Financial Adviser. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Milford is an active fund manager with views and portfolio positions subject to change. Milford Funds Limited is the issuer of the Milford KiwiSaver Plan and the Milford Investment Funds. Please read the relevant Milford Product Disclosure Statement at milfordasset.com. Before investing, you may wish to seek financial advice. The disclosure statements of all Milford Financial Advisers contain more information and are available for free on request. For more information and to see our Financial Advice Provider Disclosure statement, please visit milfordasset.com/getting-advice

Episode 50: Milford’s role in shaping New Zealand’s financial future

How do we turn New Zealand into a nation of savers? Milford CEO Blair Turnbull talks to Ryan Bridge about Milford’s plans to help Kiwis save more, while touching on the reasons for Milford’s recent success and sharing his vision for the company he has headed since March this year.  
 
This podcast is intended to provide general information only. It does not take into account your investment needs or personal circumstances. It is not intended to be viewed as investment or financial advice. Should you require financial advice you should always speak to a Financial Adviser. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Milford is an active fund manager with views and portfolio positions subject to change. Milford Funds Limited is the issuer of the Milford KiwiSaver Plan and the Milford Investment Funds. Please read the relevant Milford Product Disclosure Statement at milfordasset.com. Before investing, you may wish to seek financial advice. The disclosure statements of all Milford Financial Advisers contain more information and are available for free on request. For more information and to see our Financial Advice Provider Disclosure statement, please visit milfordasset.com/getting-advice