Dan Coatsworth is AJ Bell's Head of Markets. Dan has been with the company since December 2012 and has more than 18 years' experience in the industry, following the markets and all things investing. He has a degree in Corporate Communications from Southampton Solent University.
Dan is involved in a lot of the content published by AJ Bell, which includes; providing market commentary, starring in our educational videos, writing for Shares Magazine and co-presenting our Money and Markets podcast, as well as hosting and presenting at events for customers – both in person and online.
Dan’s passion lies with educating customers all about investing and staying informed about market events. He previously worked for Teletext on the business and personal finance desks which taught him the importance of telling a story in as few words as possible. He has also appeared as a business commentator on Times Radio and LBC News and written investment-related articles for The Telegraph, Evening Standard, Mail on Sunday and The Week.
A fun fact Dan learned about investing early on was to not get caught up on the hype around certain stocks. He found this out himself when the first share he bought was a company trying to recover copper from a shipwreck at the bottom of the ocean… this sounded exciting but sadly didn’t make him any money! Outside of work, Dan enjoys swimming and going to live gigs.
24 February 2026
Daily market update: Warner Bros, Standard Chartered, CrodaWhile investors looked a bit dazed from a wobbly start to the trading week, market movements on Tuesday would suggest they’re regaining their balance rather than falling over.
European indices were down a touch amid weakness in financials and pharma, yet the FTSE 100 was propped up by strength in oil and consumer goods sectors. Futures prices imply...
20 February 2026
Discover where the ISA millionaires investThe UK’s ISA ‘Super Investors’ who have built up sizeable portfolios are a lesson in the benefits of diligent saving and clever or opportunistic stock and fund picking.
AJ Bell can now reveal the latest trends for its ISA Super Investors – individuals with Stocks and shares ISA portfolios worth more than £1 million, as well as Junior ISAs that have...
19 February 2026
Daily market update: Centrica, Nestle, Rio Tinto, Mondi, DebenhamsInvestors got a nasty shock from Centrica’s results, causing the shares to slump and drag the UK market down in the process.
While Centrica is in the bottom half of the FTSE 100 by weighting, a large downward movement from its shares still had meaningful influence on the UK stock index.
The UK market was also dragged down by the market reaction to...
16 February 2026
Daily market update: UK takeovers: Beazley and Pinewood TechnologiesA strong showing from financials helped to support the FTSE 100 on a quiet day for corporate news.
NatWest, Barclays and Prudential took the top spots on the FTSE 100 risers’ list. The industrials and real estate sectors were also in demand, while housebuilders were out of fashion amid negative broker comment. Gold was down nearly 1% to trade just...
12 February 2026
Daily market update: Magnum Ice Cream Company, Unilever, Schroders, RELXThe FTSE 100 eked out a new record intraday high at 10,530 as takeover activity gave a boost to the market.
UK growth figures were as limp as a piece of wilted spinach. Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ strategy from day one was to get the public finances in order and then grow the economy, but people are growing tired of waiting for part two to kick into...
12 February 2026
AIM ISADiscover the benefits and risks of AIM shares in an ISA, including tax advantages and inheritance tax relief. Learn how to invest in AIM shares with AJ Bell.
12 February 2026
How REITs let you use the stock market to get property incomeProperty has long been a popular choice for people looking to achieve a regular income. Buy-to-let properties were particularly in demand in the first half of the last decade but an increase in tax and regulation has resulted in many people abandoning this option.
Research from the estate agency Hamptons shows the share of homes bought by a...
10 February 2026
Daily market update: Barclays, Standard Chartered, AstraZeneca, BPThe FTSE 100 slipped on mixed results from some of the big hitters in the index.
Retail sales data from the US for December is likely to be under scrutiny later as the market looks for insights into the health of the US consumer during the festive period.
Wall Street yesterday saw a recovery in the tech sector while the Nikkei continues to bask in...
6 February 2026
Industries next on the list for disruption by AI and technologyDisruption could turn out to be the buzz word of the year. Anthropic’s new AI tools caused upset to various stocks this week amid fears they could displace many existing services offered by established companies.
Data, advertising and software-related companies were among the names caught up in the market panic. It’s not just about movements this...
5 February 2026
The £1 million ISA journey: how to aim for seven figuresBecoming an ISA millionaire needn’t be a fantasy if you are diligent with saving and investing. It can become a reality in just over 21 years for those able to contribute the maximum allowed in an ISA each year and achieve reasonable 7% annual investment returns. Even though you might have to make some sacrifices along the way, the rewards...
5 February 2026
Daily market update: Shell, Vodafone, BT, Compass, AlphabetThe FTSE 100 dipped on decision day for the Bank of England (BoE) as ripples from the Anthropic-driven sell-off continue to be felt.
Markets are currently pricing in a 96% chance of no change to interest rates when the BoE policymakers sit down today, with the next cut not expected until April.
Barring a huge turn up for the books, attention will...
4 February 2026
Daily market update: Novo Nordisk, Beazley, Watches of Switzerland, GSKThe dust settled on Wednesday after a dramatic session for tech-related stocks amid new AI disruption.
A lot of the focus since the AI theme emerged has been on the winners and while there has been attention on potential losers from the proliferation of artificial intelligence, this part of the story has mainly stayed in the background.
That...
2 February 2026
The most popular investments in AJ Bell ISAs and pensions in 2026It is natural for someone who shares an interest with their friends or family to want to know what relevant choices they make – whether that is the outfits they bought, the paperbacks on their bookshelf, or even the records in their music collection. The same applies to investments and where people have put their money.
We all have different tastes...
30 January 2026
What we learned from Tesla, Meta, Apple, and Microsoft’s resultsFour of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ stocks have reported their latest quarterly financial results to a mixed market reaction.
Meta was the winner in share price terms, jumping 10.4% in a single session after impressing investors with revenue growth and business success. Microsoft was the loser, down 10% in a day amid a slowdown in cloud computing...
30 January 2026
Daily market update: AstraZeneca and Tesla, SpaceX and xAI merger reportIt’s a potentially big day for financial markets amid chatter that Donald Trump will announce his pick for the new Federal Reserve chair.
Reports suggest Kevin Warsh is primed to take the role. Investors seem to be taking this as a positive sign in terms of Fed independence – with Warsh perceived as a more orthodox choice versus some of the other...
27 January 2026
Daily market update: tariffs, ground rent reform, Evoke, Dr Martens, SageThe FTSE 100 moved higher after gains in the US last night and across much of Asia.
The exception to the positivity in Asian markets was South Korea after the Trump administration announced it was raising tariffs on imports from the country to 25% after accusing Seoul of not living up to a deal agreed last year.
The potential threat of 100% tariffs...
26 January 2026
What is an ISA?An ISA is a tax-free account for your savings or investments. Learn how ISAs work, their contribution limits, the types available, and how to make the most of yours.
23 January 2026
Daily market update: TikTok, Babcock, Intel, C&CIt’s a calmer end to a chaotic week on the markets.
While it looks like a crisis has been averted, investors’ patience has been well and truly tested.
Gold nudged ahead to trade ever closer to $5,000 an ounce as investors were reluctant to let go of their safety blanket, just in case Donald Trump woke up with another controversial idea.
The FTSE...
23 January 2026
How investors reacted to the latest Donald Trump dramaDonald Trump’s moves on Greenland threatened to cause the biggest upset on financial market since last April’s Liberation Day, an event that knocked shares for six.
Fortunately, a U-turn on 21 January by the US president subsequently brought a sense of calm. It was good reminder for investors to not panic in times of turmoil.
It’s fascinating to...
22 January 2026
Saba fails at Edinburgh Worldwide but investment trust activism enduresActivist investor Saba’s latest setback in its push for change in the investment trust universe is unlikely to be the end of the story. The disruptor has lost in its campaign to reform Edinburgh Worldwide but it still has holdings in plenty more trusts.
AJ Bell’s inaugural report on activists in the investment trust world shows Saba has stakes in...
21 January 2026
Daily market update: JD Wetherspoon, Currys, JD Sports, BurberryThe FTSE 100 held up in early trading on Wednesday despite a rebound in UK inflation and continued uncertainty over Greenland.
The hope will be that some form of compromise can be found as Donald Trump meets with European leaders and speaks at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
After a difficult day on Wall Street yesterday, US futures point to a...
19 January 2026
Daily market update: Trump's tariffs, gold, FTSE 100, WHSmith, WorkspacePlot out the timeline of policy announcements since Trump returned to the White House and it’s longer than the Bayeux Tapestry.
Financial markets have been subjected to a barrage of heavy-hitting decisions by Trump during his second term, with endless twists and turns. A new tougher stance on tariffs towards parts of Europe in Trump’s quest to own...
16 January 2026
Daily market update: FTSE 100 pulls back, talk of YouTube deal with the BBCInvestors have been kept on their toes year-to-date with non-stop geopolitical issues, and mixed messages from the business world. A quieter day on the corporate reporting calendar gave investors a chance to catch their breath and take stock of events.
European indices quietened down, with small losses in the UK, France, Spain, and Germany. Asia...
15 January 2026
Trump 2.0 one year on: here are the market winners and losersTuesday 20 January 2026 marks one year since Donald Trump returned to the White House. It’s been a testing period for consumers and businesses, amid extraordinary levels of unpredictable behaviour by the president which have had consequences globally.
Trump’s decisions have shaken up the status quo and put the world on a different path. Financial...
14 January 2026
Daily market update: SSE, Costa, BP, Vistry, PearsonThe FTSE 100 is going from strength to strength, hitting yet another new record high.
The blue-chip index of UK stocks hit 10,171 in early trading, propelled by a good spread of industries. Endeavour Mining was boosted by ongoing strength in the gold price, with the metal hitting $4,639 per ounce. Gold has become an investor favourite over the past...
13 January 2026
Seven fund ideas for your portfolioBefore you decide which fund to buy, you need to establish two key things: what is your risk appetite and how long is it before you need to access the money.
Those happy to ride out the ups and down of the market, and have time to do so, might be comfortable owning funds that invest in shares. Those with a more cautious mindset and/or a shorter...
13 January 2026
Daily market update: Persimmon, Games Workshop, Rentokil, WhitbreadThe FTSE 100 held steady just below its recent record highs early on Tuesday despite the ongoing geopolitical tensions which have been a feature of 2026 so far.
This followed a new record for the Nikkei 225 overnight in Japan. A weak yen, which boosts an export-reliant economy, and the possibility of increased stimulus helped generate significant...
12 January 2026
Dividend taxes are going up from April: here’s how to beat themAn extra two percentage points on dividend tax could have a meaningful impact on investors from April.
It might not sound a lot, but the extra tax could add up for someone with a fair-sized portfolio. Fortunately, there are way to minimise the impact as we now discuss.
What’s the current system?Brits can earn up to £12,570 a year without paying...
9 January 2026
Why the UK stock market is gaining new fansThe UK stock market hit a new high at the start of 2026, with the FTSE 100 index breaking through the 10,000 level for the first time and extending last year’s solid run. The 25.8% total return from the FTSE 100 in 2025 was the fifth best year for the UK index since inception in 1984.
US strikes on Venezuela on 3 January 2026 failed to derail the...
8 January 2026
UK takeovers busy but large deals could slow in 2026It was another blockbuster year for UK-listed takeovers, with 64 companies receiving a bid during 2025, according to analysis by AJ Bell. Of these, 51 deals have either completed or are still live, and 13 bid situations fell by the wayside.
Bid activity was mostly concentrated in the mid and small cap universe, with only one FTSE 100 stock – Anglo...
7 January 2026
Shareholders urged to decide on the future of Edinburgh Worldwide Investment TrustInvestors have an important say in the future of Edinburgh Worldwide Investment Trust being targeted by hedge fund Saba Capital.
Saba’s proposals to make changes at the trust and with the trust’s board have been put forward as ordinary resolutions for investors to vote on. These only require a simple majority, or more than 50% of votes cast, to...
7 January 2026
UK IPOs disappointed in 2025 but there were pockets of greatnessIt was a patchy year for UK IPOs in 2025 both in terms of performance and volume, going against the grain for a superb year for UK stocks more generally.
While a handful of stocks delivered strong returns, investors who bought every one of the 20 UK IPOs in 2025 would have lost money on average. In contrast, those who bought a FTSE 100 tracker fund...
31 December 2025
The most popular funds and trusts among retail investors in 2025Interest in passive products tracking certain parts of the market soared in 2025, judging by what’s been in favour with AJ Bell DIY investors.
Tracker funds and ETFs (exchange-traded funds) featured heavily on the list of most popular funds as investors sought out convenience and lower costs. Rather than pay more for active management in the hope...
25 December 2025
Most popular stocks of 2025 among AJ Bell DIY investorsIncome, defence and AI were the dominant themes among the most popular stocks with AJ Bell DIY investors in 2025.
Hot investment themes act like a magnet to certain people as they become drawn to a topic everyone’s talking about; or where they can see a clear opportunity for a specific group of companies to enjoy strong earnings growth. AI and...
22 December 2025
More than half of AJ Bell customers expected to back British shares in 2026More than half of AJ Bell customers say they are considering investing in UK shares in 2026. These results, based on an online survey of 1,726 customers carried out between 8 and 12 December 2025, demonstrate that investors have a significant natural home bias heading into next year. Global and US shares are also popular alongside bonds, money...
17 December 2025
Daily market update: housebuilders, oil stocks, Warner Bros, MetaX, BunzlA lower-than-expected reading of inflation has reinforced expectations for a Bank of England rate cut tomorrow and helped the FTSE 100 to post solid gains on Wednesday morning.
The inflation data saw a drop in sterling which helps flatter the dominant overseas earnings in the UK’s flagship index.
Housebuilders posted solid gains on the implied...
12 December 2025
Different ways investments generate income for youIncome investors seeking true diversification should consider more than just whether a fund invests in shares, bonds or other asset classes when making choices for a pension or ISA.
It’s important to look at how a fund generates an income stream for investors, as it isn’t always as straightforward as passing on dividends from investments inside its...
12 December 2025
Daily market update: UK GDP, WH Smith, Card Factory, SolGoldThe US tech sell-off was short-lived as Wall Street narrowed losses towards the end of yesterday’s session, helping to lift the broader market mood.
That new-found optimism, or perhaps relief, extended to Europe on Friday with gains seen across all the major equity indices. The FTSE 100 was lifted by a strong showing from the financial sector and...
11 December 2025
Is there a bubble in the gold price? One expert thinks soBubble talk has progressed from AI companies to gold following the sharp rally in the precious metal price this year. The Bank for International Settlements has warned that gold and US stocks are showing signs of being in a bubble, pointing towards hype and exuberance among investors.
Gold has increased by 60% this year to $4,218 per ounce thanks...
10 December 2025
Daily market update: Anglo American, Berkeley, Everyman Media, FirstGroupMarkets were in a holding pattern ahead of the Fed’s interest rate decision later today.
A quarter point rate cut is widely expected, but more interesting to the market will be commentary on the direction of rates in 2026. There have been conflicting signals from the Fed about monetary policy and markets are keen to see if there is more joined up...
9 December 2025
Are fund managers’ best ideas different or the same? Here’s how global fund portfolios stack upGlobal equity funds are some of the most popular investment choices among AJ Bell DIY investors. While many people opt for a simple tracker fund designed to mirror the performance of a global index such as the MSCI World, others are drawn to actively managed funds that aim to beat the market.
We thought it would be interesting to dive into the most...
8 December 2025
Daily market update: Netflix-Warner Bros deal, Unilever ice cream demergerEurope got off to a quiet start, with minimal movement among the main equity indices.
The FTSE 100 held firm as strength among industrials, basic materials and healthcare was offset by weakness in consumer stocks and real estate.
Prudential was the biggest riser after filing paperwork to float an Indian subsidiary, selling more shares as part of...
4 December 2025
The biggest risers and fallers of the FTSE 100 this yearThe FTSE 100 is on track for its seventh best year ever, with its highest return since the aftermath of the global financial crisis*. So much for the UK being the home for old economy companies – the FTSE 100 has had precisely the ingredients desired by investors in a year full of political, trade and market uncertainty. The FTSE 100 has returned...
3 December 2025
Daily market update: Sainsbury’s, HSBC, Thames Water, Prada & VersaceMiners did their best to prop up the FTSE 100, but opposing forces from the banking, pharma and utility sectors were too great to keep the index in positive territory.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was a notable mover, falling 1.3% as nearly all sectors apart from basic materials and industrials were in the red. China’s CSI 300 index was also weak...
28 November 2025
Daily market update: FTSE 100 steady, Whitbread, Burberry, Mitchells & ButlersThe FTSE 100 looks set to end the week in decent fashion and US futures point to post-Thanksgiving gains when Wall Street opens for business.
UK housebuilders remain in decent fettle after the Budget – which didn’t contain any nasty surprises in terms of property taxes, bar the so-called ‘mansion tax’.
The exception to the sector’s positivity is...
25 November 2025
Daily market update: Domino’s Pizza, Hilton Foods and Treatt, KingfisherUK stocks are shaking off a dicey end to last week as increased hopes of a pre-Christmas interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve give stocks on both sides of the Atlantic a boost.
Tech stocks powered the recovery on Wall Street yesterday and fostered hope of a Santa Rally as we approach the beginning of December. Google-owner Alphabet is closing...
21 November 2025
Daily market update: markets go back into reverse, Babcock, ASOSRelief around Nvidia’s results didn’t last long as investors couldn’t shake their fears that the AI boom might have got ahead of itself.
There is a lingering concern that the AI revolution might take longer than expected to truly transform the way companies do business. People in the late 1990s were right to predict the internet would change the...
20 November 2025
Nvidia reassures on AI trend, but fears over tech sector overspending may not go awayNvidia’s results on 19 November had the potential to be a make-or-break moment for global financial markets. Any disappointment could have fuelled concerns around an AI bubble poised to burst. Fortunately, Nvidia has brought the party back to life, with suggestions that everything is going fine with the business.
Demand for its products remains...
14 November 2025
Daily market update: gilt yields, DFS, Landsec, PPHE Hotel GroupWall Street gloom has spread across European and Asian markets like a contagious disease.
Markets are down across the board as investors fret about cracks in the narrative that’s driven the mother of all tech rallies over the past few years. Investors are worried about rich equity valuations and how billions of dollars are being spent on AI just at...
14 November 2025
How to get children interested in saving and investingWhether you are a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or a close friend to someone who is a mum or dad, there are many ways you can get children interested in investing.
