M&A activity remains rampant, and this week we start with a tie-up that would rank among the biggest deals of all time: AstraZeneca and US rival Bristol Myers Squibb. Julian Hofmann discusses the merits of the mooted $400bn deal, the drawbacks and why investors’ response to the rumour has been bleak.

We then turn to what could be the greatest disrupter humans have seen for decades: the rise of AI and what it means for the jobs market. As speculation runs rampant as to how many roles could be lost, Hugh Moorhead is in the studio to curb some of those concerns. Hugh explains what’s actually going on, which companies might stand to benefit, which might not, and how investors should respond.

Finally, Mark Robinson puts medical device maker Smith & Nephew under the microscope after its half-year figures suggest its long-awaited rebound hasn’t quite arrived. But with an activist lurking on the shareholder register, could better times be on the way?

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

1:20 AstraZeneca

15:43 AI's impact on the jobs market and what this means for investors

30:23 Smith & Nephew

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The AI jobs crunch, medical stocks and AstraZeneca: Companies and Markets Show

Investors' Chronicle

The AI jobs crunch, medical stocks and AstraZeneca: Companies and Markets Show