This week on Taking Stock, Susan Hayes Culleton explores the business stories shaping our economy and markets. From the rise of AI-powered “hyper-scalers” and their impact on global bond markets with Financial Times journalist Michelle Chen, to the growing energy demands of Big Tech in Ireland with Donal MacNamee of the Business Post. Plus, as pets increasingly become a bigger part of family life, vet Laura Cuddy breaks down the real economics of owning a cat or dog.

On this week’s Taking Stock with Susan Hayes Culleton, we ask would you pay higher PRSI for a better pension? Economist Austin Hughes joins us to debate. We also unpack the euro’s slide with Rebecca Christie of Bruegel and ask whether Europe should be worried. Plus, as Lidl enters the mobile market, Daragh Cassidy of Bonkers.ie explains how your phone bill is really calculated and whether you're paying too much.

This week on Taking Stock, Susan Hayes Culleton sits down with former UK Chancellor of the Exchequer and Foreign Secretary Sir Jeremy Hunt for a wide-ranging conversation on economic crises, Brexit, leadership, and the future of the British economy. Plus, Susan explores why we need a yearly budget when she talks to economist Emma Howard.

Could Canada ever really join the EU? We discuss the economic and political implications with Euronews correspondent Shona Murray.

Ahead of the Budget, Munroe O'Dwyer of PwC Ireland explains what Personal Investment Accounts could mean for savers.

And economist Daniel Susskind joins us to discuss his new book, What Should My Children Do? How to Flourish in the Age of AI.

This week on Taking Stock, Susan Hayes Culleton speaks with economist Chris Giles about the realities of European work culture and productivity. She explores the changing fortunes of Airbnb with Jack Power of the Irish Times as European cities push back against the accommodation giant. Plus, Susan asks Chris Stokel-Walker whether the rapid rise of AI has become impossible to slow despite growing concerns from industry leaders.

This week on Taking Stock, Emmet Oliver sitting in for Susan, talks to Financial Times journalist Ciara Nugent who explains why the Falkland Islands remain strategically important in today's geo-economic landscape. Author Jeremy Campbell joins us to discuss the lessons from his new book After Monday and shares practical insights on achieving long-term business success. Plus, Ciara O'Brien examines Australia's move to give social media users the ability to opt out of recommendation algorithms and what it could mean for the future of the internet.

This week on Taking Stock the Financial Times' Amy Kazmin joins us to discuss the remarkable staying power of Italy's Giorgia Meloni. Finance expert and co-host of ‘The Most Important Thing’ podcast Alan O'Sullivan debunks seven investing myths that can trip up even experienced investors. And Ian Barnett of BDO makes the case that Ireland's business culture is too quick to pull the plug on companies that might still be saved.

This week, we ask whether the shine has finally come off fast-fashion giant Shein amid its IPO struggles with Arjun Alim of the Financial Times. We explore the growing battle for your TV subscriptions in the new "bundle wars" with Olivia Fahy of Press Play. Plus. the changing face of Canada as tensions over tariffs and calls for Alberta independence gather momentum when Susan is joined by Maria Cheng of Reuters.