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.
3 July 2025
What has beaten out private equity in UK takeovers this year?Private equity companies haven’t been as prolific or successful with UK takeovers this year as their reputation implies. It’s easy to suggest they are behind most bids, yet data tells a different story.
There were more trade buyers than private equity bidders on UK-listed takeovers in the first half of 2025, according to analysis by AJ Bell...
3 July 2025
Daily market update: Gilt yields pull back as Starmer calms markets, Currys in fine form“After yesterday’s political chaos around the future of Rachel Reeves as chancellor triggered a spike in UK government bond yields, prime minister Keir Starmer has now brought a sense of calm to markets,” says Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at AJ Bell.
“Starmer declaring his support for the chancellor has led to gilt yields pulling back and...
2 July 2025
Daily market update: European shares move higher amid progress with Trump tax-cut bill, Greggs, AstraZeneca“It’s a solid day for European equities as all the major indices moved higher amid progress in the US on policy plans to lower taxes and progress with trade negotiations,” says Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at AJ Bell.
“Commodity producers, financials, utilities and industrials led the way on the UK stock market. The fact both risk-on and...
1 July 2025
Daily market update: Japan trade talk, Sainsbury's, SSE, National Grid“Asian markets saw mixed fortunes as investors waited for updates on trade talks and Trump’s tax-reduction bill,” says Dan Coatsworth, Investment Analyst at AJ Bell.
“The Nikkei 225 fared worst as it looked as if relations were strained between the US and Japan, which doesn’t bode well for tariff negotiations.
“Donald Trump took to social media to...
30 June 2025
Daily market update: Canada trade drama, Trump bill, Shein IPO, WH Smith“There is a lot going on to influence markets before the summer lull and investors’ animal spirits continue to fuel the equities space,” says Dan Coatsworth, Investment Analyst at AJ Bell.
“Investors seem confident trade deals will be struck, geopolitical tensions ease, and a major economic slump is avoided. The big unknown is whether investors are...
26 June 2025
Companies buying bitcoin see big share price gains: what could go wrong?There is a growing number of companies investing in cryptocurrencies, even though it might have no relevance to their day-to-day business. This emerging trend has caught the attention of certain investors, who have bid up shares in many companies to excessive valuations.
One example – a web design agency called The Smarter Web Company – saw its...
26 June 2025
BP bid: is takeover talk credible and how might it rank against other FTSE 100 bids?Shell buying BP is second only to a bid for ITV as the perennial takeover talk that won’t go away. The fact rumours keep circulating might suggest there is some truth in the matter, be it Shell or someone else looking to buy the UK oil and gas producer.
This is a difficult one to call. All big companies will look hard at any acquisition...
25 June 2025
The 24 investment trusts trading on a premium in 2025The number of London-listed investment trusts trading at a premium to the underlying value of their assets has moved higher this year as investors show greater willingness to pay up for certain strategies.
There are currently 24 investment trusts trading at a premium to net asset value, up from 19 at this time last year but still some way off...
24 June 2025
Takeover frenzy: number of investment trusts shrinks by 17% in three yearsA £175 million bid for Downing Renewables & Infrastructure represents the 10th investment trust to receive a takeover offer this year – and several more have been the target of bidding wars.
With so many trusts trading well below the underlying value of their portfolio, it’s feasible to suggest takeover action will continue for the rest of the year...
23 June 2025
What’s shaped markets in the first half of 2025?Tariffs, downgrades to earnings and economic forecasts and geopolitical conflict were the defining factors for markets in the first half of 2025. They’ve caused considerable uncertainty which has affected asset prices, as well as business and consumer confidence.
It’s led to one of the biggest shifts in investor preferences for years, with certain...
