Bridge Talks Business with Milford

Episode 63: If the economy's improving, why are consumers still holding back?

New Zealand’s economy is showing signs of recovery, with discretionary spending on the rise. So why do many households still feel like they’re treading water? RNZ Money Correspondent Susan Edmunds joins Ryan Bridge to unpack the state of the Kiwi consumer, the lingering impact of post-Covid interest rates, and why caution continues to shape spending decisions. 
 
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 62: The vital signs of healthcare investing - What's hot, what's not

Healthcare is a broad and complex area of investment, with numerous market segments to assess and consider. How do you break it down, what are good areas for investment, and what areas should be avoided? Milford Senior Investment Analyst Victoria MacLean talks to Ryan Bridge about key considerations, including policy impacts, levels of innovation, spending cuts, and the implications of AI.
 
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 61: Will I have enough? Tips to retire well

How much do I need, have I got enough, and how long will it last? These are key questions all of us face when planning for retirement. So, is there a magic number we should be working towards? Financial Adviser Julie Shacklady talks with Ryan Bridge about the variables that affect the answers to those questions, and shares some of her own investing journey story.  
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 60: Embracing the boost to maximise your KiwiSaver

Last year’s policy change means New Zealanders will soon see more flowing into their KiwiSaver plan. From April, employer contributions rise from 3% to 3.5%, giving the nation’s retirement savings a significant boost. Financial Adviser Liam Robertson joins Ryan Bridge to unpack what this change means, and provide effective, easy ways to maximise the performance and long‑term value of your KiwiSaver plan.
 
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 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