Russ Mould is AJ Bell's Investment Director. He has a Master's degree in Modern History from the University of Oxford and more than 30 years' experience of the capital markets.
He started out at Scottish Equitable in 1991 as a fund manager, where he had responsibility for the Nordic and Swiss equity markets. In 1993, Russ joined SG Warburg, now part of UBS investment bank, and worked there as an equity analyst covering the technology sectors for 12 years. He has also worked on IPOs and M&A deals. Russ was voted best analyst in the semiconductor sector in 2001 by Institutional Investor and reached the level of Managing Director in 2003 when he became head of UBS' global semiconductor research effort.
A member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (MSCI), Russ is responsible for providing written and video content for customers and clients. He also helps to build the company’s profile in print and broadcast media as part of AJ Bell's wider PR and brand team, working alongside the Investment Committee.
Russ joined Shares Magazine as technology correspondent in 2005 and took on the post of Editor in 2008. He was appointed as AJ Bell's Investment Director in 2013 following the company's acquisition of Shares' parent company, MSM Media. Russ regularly creates content across the AJ Bell website, including the Daily Market Update and Chart of the Week, and he hosts his own 'Breaking the Mould' weekly video series.
Outside of work, Russ is a qualified cricket coach, Italian speaker and avid fan of Doctor Who and NFL.
19 May 2026
Daily market update: FTSE up, Currys, Dr Martens, C&CTrump’s hot/cold demeanour around the Iran war continues to cause volatility on the markets.
With the US president having yesterday called off a new military attack on Iran, investors are showing relief that tensions haven’t escalated. That’s helped oil prices to ease back slightly and equity markets to move higher in Europe and Asia.
However...
15 May 2026
Why are US markets close to record levels when there’s so much uncertainty?Ask the experts. Russ Mould is on hand to answer your queries about the financial markets. If you'd like a question considered for a future edition, send it in now .
Or alternatively leave a rating for the article and include your question in the comment box.
Why are US equities making new highs when there is so much uncertainty in the world...
13 May 2026
Daily market update: FTSE 100 lifted by miners, Vistry, UK takeovers back in focusThe FTSE 100 bounced back on Wednesday despite continuing tensions in the Middle East and as the political situation in the UK remained fraught.
Keir Starmer is set to meet with one of his mooted leadership rivals, health secretary Wes Streeting, ahead of the King’s Speech when the embattled prime minister is expected to announce a raft of...
11 May 2026
Daily market update: Gilt yields jump ahead of Starmer speech, Compass, M&SGilt yields jumped after a weekend of speculation around Keir Starmer’s position as prime minister says.
The 30-year gilt yield edged up to 5.649%, indicating that bond investors are uneasy about the political backdrop. Starmer’s big speech could be make or break for his position at the top, and the bond market’s negative reaction implies a sense...
8 May 2026
Daily market update: FTSE 100 lower, Intertek, IAG, RightmoveThe FTSE 100 started Friday on the back foot as local election results trickled in and tensions simmered in the Middle East.
While officially the ceasefire between the US and Iran remains in place, an exchange of fire in the Strait of Hormuz has helped to extinguish some of the hope that a deal between the parties might be close.
For now, the move...
6 May 2026
Daily market update: FTSE 100 higher on Iran hopes, Next, Diageo, Novo NordiskThe market is celebrating an apparent late-night TACO Tuesday as the US pauses its plan to escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz to focus on negotiations with Tehran.
A ceasefire which seemed to have been stretched to breaking point appears to be just about holding up. Hopes for de-escalation have been renewed by the latest...
6 May 2026
The story behind the Magnificent Seven’s push to new heightsThe combined stock market value of the so-called Magnificent Seven of Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla has hit a new record high of $22.5 trillion, finally passing last October’s peak as investors react a strong set of quarterly results from the six to have reported so far.
Nvidia’s first-quarter earnings are due on 20...
1 May 2026
Daily market update: FTSE 100 drifts with oil above $110, Diageo, NatWest, AppleThe FTSE 100 took a step back on Friday on a mix of continuing concern about the situation in the Middle East, profit taking in the utilities sector and weakness among precious metals miners.
The latest US earnings season has been robust, which has helped prevent global markets from suffering big losses despite the impact of the Iran conflict. US...
30 April 2026
Daily market update: Markets mixed as Iran crisis continues, United Utilities, Rolls-RoyceThe relative calm the market has displayed so far over the Iran war has started to dissipate, with oil prices creeping higher on fears a timely resolution to the conflict is slipping away.
The FTSE 100 was helped by its oil and gas heavyweights but elsewhere there was heavy selling in Europe as the energy price shock threatens to intensify and with...
27 April 2026
Daily market update: Equity markets higher, Whitbread, motor finance redress schemeEquity markets pushed ahead in Europe despite oil prices creeping ever higher.
The exception was the FTSE 100 which held firm as energy and industrial sector gains were offset by weakness in consumer non-cyclicals and miners.
The oil market has been the place to watch closely since the start of March when the Middle East crisis unfolded. Oil below...
