Who’s winning 2-0? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!
Steve W’s matched the S&P 500 this week and Steve D’s not far behind. Despite some big movements, it’s all pretty tight in the stock market this week.
3i – one of the FTSE 100’s top performers – crashed at the end of the week. It’s been a bad year for private equity firms, but the company had been holding up well.
Steve W thinks he knows what’s going on. And it has less to do with the private equity theme than the ongoing retail theme of falling like-for-like sales growth…
Steve D’s been looking at Taylor Wimpey. The latest results look decent and the stock moved a little bit as a result, but there are probably bigger things going on for the firm.
The UK Budget is on the way and there’s plenty to focus on there. But is a 9% dividend yield part of the problem or something for investors to get excited about?
QXO is a stock most UK investors probably don’t have on their radars, but Steve W thinks they should. He’s got his eye on a 500% gain in the next 10 years.
The firm is planning to roll up the building materials industry and it has a CEO with a very impressive track record. There’s a lot of eggs in a basket called “Brad Jacobs”, though.
Tecnoglass has released its latest earnings and our resident shareholder - Steve D - is not impressed. Higher costs are weighing on margins and that’s not a good sign.
Should he cut bait with this one or wait around for a better environment? Steve W thinks it might still have some promise, but the big question is how long it takes to realise this.
Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!
► Get a free fractional share!
This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE. Terms apply.
When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.
Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
► Get 15% OFF Fiscal.ai:
Huge thanks to our sponsor, Fiscal.ai, the best investing toolkit we've discovered! Get 15% off your subscription with code below and unlock powerful tools to analyze stocks, discover hidden gems, and build income streams. Check them out at Fiscal.ai!
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► Support the show:
Appreciate the show and want to offer your support? You could always buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/playingftse
(All proceeds reinvested into the show and not to coffee!)
► Timestamps:
0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS
7:50 3I
25:39 TAYLOR WIMPEY
50:41 QXO
1:04:18 TECNOGLASS
► Show Notes:
What’s been going on in the financial world and why should anyone care? Find out as we dive into the latest news and try to figure out what any of it means. We talk about stocks, markets, politics, and loads of other things in a way that’s accessible, light-hearted and (we hope) entertaining. For the people who know nothing, by the people who know even less. Enjoy
► Wanna get in contact?
Got a question for us? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/
► Enquiries:
Please email - playingftsepodcast@gmail(dot)com
► Disclaimer:
This information is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.
Who’s been making hailstones fall? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show.
Steve W has had a dreadful week in the stock market and it’s not been better for Spurs on the football pitch. But Steve D’s here to save the show and the week.
Rightmove shares crashed on Friday after the company issued its Q3 update. That bit was fine, but there are some lower profit margins on the way with AI investing.
Is that enough to justify the stock falling so much? Steve W doesn’t think so, but software stocks in general have been under pressure this week.
Steve D has a new name for the show - Coherent. It’s an AI infrastructure plan with the highest-paid CEO in the S&P 500.
Figuring out the P/E isn’t entirely straightforward, but they’ve done a nice job of selling off their aerospace and defence business. Definitely one for further consideration…
Where can investor find software stocks that aren’t in danger of crashing? Nowhere – but US local government platform provider Tyler Technologies might be worth a look.
Steve W thinks its status as an approved provider won’t be easy to emulate. The trouble is, it’s trading at a P/E ratio of 64 and has some pretty high stock-based compensation.
Duolingo shares crashed this week after the firm’s update. Steve D’s looking at some slightly light bookings and lower-than-expected user numbers.
Steve W’s more concerned about the firm’s moat as it ramp up the number of language courses it offers via AI. But can we find something that stops competitors doing the same?
Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!
► Get a free fractional share!
This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE. Terms apply.
When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.
Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
► Get 15% OFF Fiscal.ai:
Huge thanks to our sponsor, Fiscal.ai, the best investing toolkit we've discovered! Get 15% off your subscription with code below and unlock powerful tools to analyze stocks, discover hidden gems, and build income streams. Check them out at Fiscal.ai!
https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve
► Follow Us On Substack:
Sign up for our Substack and get light-hearted, info-packed discussions on everything from market trends and investing psychology to deep dives into different asset classes. We’ll analyze what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.
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https://playingftse.substack.com/
► Support the show:
Appreciate the show and want to offer your support? You could always buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/playingftse
(All proceeds reinvested into the show and not to coffee!)
► Timestamps:
0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS
5:35 RIGHTMOVE
22:06 COHERENT
42:58 TYLER TECH
57:03 DUOLINGO
► Show Notes:
What’s been going on in the financial world and why should anyone care? Find out as we dive into the latest news and try to figure out what any of it means. We talk about stocks, markets, politics, and loads of other things in a way that’s accessible, light-hearted and (we hope) entertaining. For the people who know nothing, by the people who know even less. Enjoy
► Wanna get in contact?
Got a question for us? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/
► Enquiries:
Please email - playingftsepodcast@gmail(dot)com
► Disclaimer:
This information is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.
Who’s doing a Warren Buffett with a secret stock? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show.
Steve W has had a dreadful week in the stock market and it’s not been better for Spurs on the football pitch. But Steve D’s here to save the show and the week.
Alphabet is hitting new highs after a strong earnings report. Investors are impressed by its Google Cloud results – and future spending – and the stock is going higher.
Steve D owns this one and he’s feeling good about the future. And that’s before we get onto the strength of Gemini, YouTube and Waymo, amongst other things…
Meta is spending on AI as well, but its share price is going the other way. The stock market doesn’t like its spending on computing power in the hope it’ll need it in the future.
Steve W outlines the difference between Meta – on the one hand – and Alphabet, Amazon, and Microsoft on the other right now. There’s clearly risk here, but also potential reward…
It’s been another good week for Adyen. The stock is up 11% and the latest earnings report looks strong with some solid growth across the board.
There’s a premium price tag, but the Dutch outfit is clearly the class of the field. Steve D’s been on this train for a while, but can anything derail it going forward?
Paypal stock continues to flatter to deceive. It trades at a free cash flow multiple of 13 and it’s just signed a deal to provide checkout services for ChatGPT’s e-commerce offering.
Except, that multiple is misleading and the deal isn’t what it sounds like. Steve W has the details, but what he can’t work out is where $23bn in cash has gone in the last 10 years.
Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!
► Get a free fractional share!
This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE. Terms apply.
When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.
Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
► Get 15% OFF Fiscal.ai:
Huge thanks to our sponsor, Fiscal.ai, the best investing toolkit we've discovered! Get 15% off your subscription with code below and unlock powerful tools to analyze stocks, discover hidden gems, and build income streams. Check them out at Fiscal.ai!
https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve
► Follow Us On Substack:
Sign up for our Substack and get light-hearted, info-packed discussions on everything from market trends and investing psychology to deep dives into different asset classes. We’ll analyze what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.
Don't miss out! Sign up today and start your journey with us.
https://playingftse.substack.com/
► Support the show:
Appreciate the show and want to offer your support? You could always buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/playingftse
(All proceeds reinvested into the show and not to coffee!)
► Timestamps:
0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS
5:49 GOOGLE
23:28 META
39:39 ADYEN
55:56 PAYPAL
► Show Notes:
What’s been going on in the financial world and why should anyone care? Find out as we dive into the latest news and try to figure out what any of it means. We talk about stocks, markets, politics, and loads of other things in a way that’s accessible, light-hearted and (we hope) entertaining. For the people who know nothing, by the people who know even less. Enjoy
► Wanna get in contact?
Got a question for us? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/
► Enquiries:
Please email - playingftsepodcast@gmail(dot)com
► Disclaimer:
This information is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.
Who buys branded tuna!? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!
Both Steves have nailed it this week – head of the FTSE 100 and the S&P 500. There are 51 other weeks in this year, sadly, but we’ll take the wins where we can get them.
Netflix shares fell 10% as earnings came in below expectations. But this was the result of a one-off tax hit in Brazil that’s going to mess up the P/E ratio for the next 12 months.
Does that make a buying opportunity? It’s hardly the 2022 situation where everything looked like it was going wrong, but valuation multiples do look a bit more attractive…
Another week, another accounting issue at a UK company. This time it’s B&M where the CFO has resigned after a change in software has resulted in an error in cost recognition.
We’ve seen this before with WH Smith and Vistry in recent months. Steve W owns both of those stocks, but it’s Steve D who’s looking at this one – what does he think of it?
It’s a debut on the show for S&P 500 industrial CNH Industrial. Warren Buffett disciple David Einhorn was buying the stock around a year ago and it’s gone nowhere since.
Steve W’s interested in a potential secular growth story. The balance sheet looks like a mess, but with receivables offsetting a lot of debt, is it actually as bad as it looks?
There’s a new IPO coming to the UK markets and we’re not talking about the Princes people who make fish and tomatoes. It’s Shawbrook – an upstart fintech.
It doesn’t have an app, but who needs one of those when you can make loans with 35% interest rates? Steve D has the details of a bank that looks like it’s doing things differently.
Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!
► Get a free fractional share!
This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE. Terms apply.
When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.
Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
► Get 15% OFF Fiscal.ai:
Huge thanks to our sponsor, Fiscal.ai, the best investing toolkit we've discovered! Get 15% off your subscription with code below and unlock powerful tools to analyze stocks, discover hidden gems, and build income streams. Check them out at Fiscal.ai!
https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve
► Follow Us On Substack:
Sign up for our Substack and get light-hearted, info-packed discussions on everything from market trends and investing psychology to deep dives into different asset classes. We’ll analyze what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.
Don't miss out! Sign up today and start your journey with us.
https://playingftse.substack.com/
► Support the show:
Appreciate the show and want to offer your support? You could always buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/playingftse
(All proceeds reinvested into the show and not to coffee!)
► Timestamps:
0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS
6:56 NETFLIX
23:11 B&M EUROPEAN BARGAINHOLE
43:02 CASE NEW HOLLAND
58:21 NEW HOT IPO!
► Show Notes:
What’s been going on in the financial world and why should anyone care? Find out as we dive into the latest news and try to figure out what any of it means. We talk about stocks, markets, politics, and loads of other things in a way that’s accessible, light-hearted and (we hope) entertaining. For the people who know nothing, by the people who know even less. Enjoy
► Wanna get in contact?
Got a question for us? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/
► Enquiries:
Please email - playingftsepodcast@gmail(dot)com
► Disclaimer:
This information is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.
► Get a free fractional share!What’s the tail risk for the stock market? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!
A big underperformance from one Steve this week and a big outperformance from the other one. But who’s managed to do what?
October’s Bank of America Fund Managers Survey suggests investors are worrying about an AI bubble. So we’re revising this theme as a potential stock market crash.
Steve W’s been looking at Nvidia’s unusual deals and the question of whether there are echoes of the dot-com bust. Maybe – but there are also some important differences.
ASML looks like it’s back on track with its EUV sales. And Steve D has been checking out the situation after the latest earnings report.
A strong book-to-bill ratio close to 1 is a very positive sign. So with the company’s moat still intact, is it too late to think about buying shares?
LVMH shares are up after a surprise turnaround in revenues. The company is back to growth overall and some of its major divisions are showing positive signs.
That means it’s now trading at a P/E ratio of around 27. So is Steve W – who’s well up on his investment – looking to move on to something else?
Sartorius shares have been doing very well recently and that’s good news for Steve D. The life sciences lab supplies company looks like it’s on the up after a few disappointing years.
Pfizer’s deal with the US government to invest heavily in domestic production should be a big source of future revenues. But what’s Steve’s plan for his investment?
Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!
This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE. Terms apply.
When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.
Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
► Get 15% OFF Fiscal.ai:
Huge thanks to our sponsor, Fiscal.ai, the best investing toolkit we've discovered! Get 15% off your subscription with code below and unlock powerful tools to analyze stocks, discover hidden gems, and build income streams. Check them out at Fiscal.ai!
https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve
► Follow Us On Substack:
Sign up for our Substack and get light-hearted, info-packed discussions on everything from market trends and investing psychology to deep dives into different asset classes. We’ll analyze what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.
Don't miss out! Sign up today and start your journey with us.
https://playingftse.substack.com/
► Support the show:
Appreciate the show and want to offer your support? You could always buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/playingftse
(All proceeds reinvested into the show and not to coffee!)
► Timestamps:
0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS
10:45 MORE ON THE AI BUBBLE
29:32 ASML
45:24 LVMH
57:24 SARTORIUS
► Show Notes:
What’s been going on in the financial world and why should anyone care? Find out as we dive into the latest news and try to figure out what any of it means. We talk about stocks, markets, politics, and loads of other things in a way that’s accessible, light-hearted and (we hope) entertaining. For the people who know nothing, by the people who know even less. Enjoy
► Wanna get in contact?
Got a question for us? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/
► Enquiries:
Please email - playingftsepodcast@gmail(dot)com
► Disclaimer:
This information is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.
What do hedge fund managers think is going to cause a stock market crash? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!
All change this week – Steve W creeps back towards being average as Steve D’s portfolio has an off week. But why’s it a bad week to be Welsh?
The stock market is definitely going to crash, the only questions are when and why? One candidate is a bursting AI bubble, which is what Steve D’s been looking at.
Steve W’s been looking at the latest data from Bank of America for ideas. Hedge funds are leaning towards inflation as the concern, but this was before Friday’s tariff news…
REITs are often popular with dividend investors and Steve W’s been looking at AEW – one we haven’t talked about before. It’s got a 7.5% yield, but that’s not what he’s interested in.
Unlike most REITs, the firm has a growth strategy based on short-term lease renewals. It’s been working, too, so is this one for the passive income buy list?
Steve D’s been looking at Grainger, the UK’s largest owner of private rental houses. For anyone that’s ever wanted to make money in buy-to-lets, this could be worth a look.
The firm is transitioning towards becoming a REIT. And the longer it takes consecutive governments to increase housebuilding, the more rental demand there should be.
FTSE 250 pub chain JD Wetherspoon has released its full-year results and the stock is down. But Steve W doesn’t think they were at all bad with growing sales and steady margins.
Steve D thinks some cracks are starting to show, though. So should the company really be paying a dividend and buying back shares while increasing its net debt during the year?
Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!
► Get a free fractional share!
This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE. Terms apply.
When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.
Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
► Get 15% OFF Fiscal.ai:
Huge thanks to our sponsor, Fiscal.ai, the best investing toolkit we've discovered! Get 15% off your subscription with code below and unlock powerful tools to analyze stocks, discover hidden gems, and build income streams. Check them out at Fiscal.ai!
https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve
► Follow Us On Substack:
Sign up for our Substack and get light-hearted, info-packed discussions on everything from market trends and investing psychology to deep dives into different asset classes. We’ll analyze what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.
Don't miss out! Sign up today and start your journey with us.
https://playingftse.substack.com/
► Support the show:
Appreciate the show and want to offer your support? You could always buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/playingftse
(All proceeds reinvested into the show and not to coffee!)
► Timestamps:
0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS
8:50 CRASH INCOMING
29:11 AEW UK REIT
44:17 GRAINGER
1:00:29 SPOONS
► Show Notes:
What’s been going on in the financial world and why should anyone care? Find out as we dive into the latest news and try to figure out what any of it means. We talk about stocks, markets, politics, and loads of other things in a way that’s accessible, light-hearted and (we hope) entertaining. For the people who know nothing, by the people who know even less. Enjoy
► Wanna get in contact?
Got a question for us? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/
► Enquiries:
Please email - playingftsepodcast@gmail(dot)com
► Disclaimer:
This information is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.
What is Chinese tapas? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!
Steve W’s had a below-average week, but Steve D is absolutely running away with it. Or at least, he would be if he hadn’t had such a big lunch…
A year has passed since Steve W thought he saw 30% upside in AG Barr shares, so it’s time to check in on that idea. And the results so far have been… mixed.
On the one hand, the company has done what it said it would and progress is actually ahead of schedule. On the other hand, however, the stock hasn’t responded as expected.
Shares in pharmaceutical companies are up across the board this week as Pfizer managed to strike a deal with the US government. And Steve D has the details.
Who were the winners and who were the losers? More importantly – what does it mean for investors looking for stocks to buy across the sector?
Greggs shares jumped on the firm’s Q3 trading update. But Steve W couldn’t see anything very good in the FTSE 250 company’s report.
Sales growth continues to be weak and it’s actually started going backwards after some signs of improvement. Steve D, however, has a slightly more positive view…
Axcelis shares fell this week on news the company plans to merge with Veeco – a similar business elsewhere in the semiconductor production process. Steve D owns this one.
There’s nothing unusual in a stock going down in an acquisition deal. But could the cross-selling opportunities and synergies unlocked by the merger make it a smart move?
Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!
► Get a free share!
This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE. Terms apply.
When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.
Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
► Get 15% OFF Fiscal.ai:
Huge thanks to our sponsor, Fiscal.ai, the best investing toolkit we've discovered! Get 15% off your subscription with code below and unlock powerful tools to analyze stocks, discover hidden gems, and build income streams. Check them out at Fiscal.ai!
https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve
► Follow Us On Substack:
Sign up for our Substack and get light-hearted, info-packed discussions on everything from market trends and investing psychology to deep dives into different asset classes. We’ll analyze what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.
Don't miss out! Sign up today and start your journey with us.
https://playingftse.substack.com/
► Support the show:
Appreciate the show and want to offer your support? You could always buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/playingftse
(All proceeds reinvested into the show and not to coffee!)
► Timestamps:
0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS
07:23 GREGGS
22:40 PHARMA
41:04 AG BARR
56:51 SEMI MERGER
► Show Notes:
What’s been going on in the financial world and why should anyone care? Find out as we dive into the latest news and try to figure out what any of it means. We talk about stocks, markets, politics, and loads of other things in a way that’s accessible, light-hearted and (we hope) entertaining. For the people who know nothing, by the people who know even less. Enjoy
► Wanna get in contact?
Got a question for us? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/
► Enquiries:
Please email - playingftsepodcast@gmail(dot)com
► Disclaimer:
This information is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.
Who does Steve D want to open the England batting? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!
It’s the end of Q3 and time to check in on the PlayingTSE portfolios. And the last week hasn’t been a particularly good one for either Steve.
Steve W has finally managed to buy a European stock for his portfolio. It’s LVMH, which has actually done quite well over the last three months or so.
Elsewhere, there are a couple of new UK additions, one from the FTSE 100 and one from the FTSE 250. But which stock is he thinking about selling in the next three months?
Steve D has graduated a couple of stocks up to his main portfolio from the capital incinerator. But he’s been reducing his stake in Walt Disney recently.
The big buy in the last quarter has been Bloomsbury. But there are also big additions to the likes of Ashtead Technology to bump up the UK exposure.
The Britbox has fared pretty badly over the last three months. And it’s the usual suspects letting the side down, with Greggs continuing to struggle and Diageo doing badly.
The Eurobox has had a reasonable three months, but nothing worth paying fees for. Steve W thinks it’s partly due to missing a big boost in defence spending.
Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!
► Get a free share!
This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE. Terms apply.
When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.
Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
► Get 15% OFF Fiscal.ai:
Huge thanks to our sponsor, Fiscal.ai, the best investing toolkit we've discovered! Get 15% off your subscription with code below and unlock powerful tools to analyze stocks, discover hidden gems, and build income streams. Check them out at Fiscal.ai!
https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve
► Follow Us On Substack:
Sign up for our Substack and get light-hearted, info-packed discussions on everything from market trends and investing psychology to deep dives into different asset classes. We’ll analyze what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.
Don't miss out! Sign up today and start your journey with us.
https://playingftse.substack.com/
► Support the show:
Appreciate the show and want to offer your support? You could always buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/playingftse
(All proceeds reinvested into the show and not to coffee!)
► Timestamps:
0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS
07:26 SW PORTFOLIO
23:04 SD PORTFOLIO
44:13 BBOX EBOX
► Show Notes:
What’s been going on in the financial world and why should anyone care? Find out as we dive into the latest news and try to figure out what any of it means. We talk about stocks, markets, politics, and loads of other things in a way that’s accessible, light-hearted and (we hope) entertaining. For the people who know nothing, by the people who know even less. Enjoy
► Wanna get in contact?
Got a question for us? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/
► Enquiries:
Please email - playingftsepodcast@gmail(dot)com
► Disclaimer:
This information is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.
What has more rabbits than people? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!
Steve D is back from holiday and his portfolio is firing on just about every cylinder available. Steve W hasn’t done badly, but it’s been a great week for the man from Hull…
Nearly nobody thinks the US stock market should be more like the UK. But President Trump has floated plans to shift US-listed firms to reporting twice a year.
The idea isn’t entirely without merit, but it doesn’t look like an obviously good move. Steve and Steve have some questions – and even the odd answer.
Shares in FTSE 250 telecoms company Gamma Communications just keep falling. But they had a big 11% jump after earnings, which reversed itself within half an hour.
The stock market can be a volatile place, but it’s not usually as choppy as this. Steve W has a theory about investors misinterpreting the firm’s H1 report.
A P/E ratio of 10, a 6.75% dividend yield, and an acyclical business. Is there anything not to like about Pets at Home?
Quite a lot actually and it’s pretty much all of the above, along with the firm not having a CEO. Steve D takes a closer look.
Judges Scientific is in both our portfolios and the Britbox. So Steve W’s been looking at what we think is one of the UK’s top growth stocks.
At least, that’s what it looks like. But with a huge revenue contribution from an extremely erratic business, is there any hope of trying to value this stock at the moment?
Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!
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This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE. Terms apply.
When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.
Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
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► Timestamps:
0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS
8:36 TRUMPS CHANGES
26:52 GAMMA COMMUNICATIONS
41:07 PETS AT HOME
57:43 JUDGES SCIENTIFIC
► Show Notes:
What’s been going on in the financial world and why should anyone care? Find out as we dive into the latest news and try to figure out what any of it means. We talk about stocks, markets, politics, and loads of other things in a way that’s accessible, light-hearted and (we hope) entertaining. For the people who know nothing, by the people who know even less. Enjoy
► Wanna get in contact?
Got a question for us? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/
► Enquiries:
Please email - playingftsepodcast@gmail(dot)com
► Disclaimer:
This information is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.
► Get a free share!
This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE. Terms apply.
When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.
Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
► Get 15% OFF Fiscal.ai:
Huge thanks to our sponsor, Fiscal.ai, the best investing toolkit we've discovered! Get 15% off your subscription with code below and unlock powerful tools to analyze stocks, discover hidden gems, and build income streams. Check them out at Fiscal.ai!
https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve
► Follow Us On Substack:
Sign up for our Substack and get light-hearted, info-packed discussions on everything from market trends and investing psychology to deep dives into different asset classes. We’ll analyze what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.
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https://playingftse.substack.com/
► Support the show:
Appreciate the show and want to offer your support? You could always buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/playingftse
(All proceeds reinvested into the show and not to coffee!)
► Timestamps:
► Show Notes:
What’s been going on in the financial world and why should anyone care? Find out as we dive into the latest news and try to figure out what any of it means. We talk about stocks, markets, politics, and loads of other things in a way that’s accessible, light-hearted and (we hope) entertaining. For the people who know nothing, by the people who know even less. Enjoy
► Wanna get in contact?
Got a question for us? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/
► Enquiries:
Please email - playingftsepodcast@gmail(dot)com
► Disclaimer:
This information is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.
What’s Steve W worrying about at the end of the month? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!
Both Steves are ahead of the market this week – or at least, they were when we recorded this week’s show! But one is more ahead than the other…
The big story this week is Alphabet’s antitrust case and there are two parts to it. The significance of being forced to share data with competitors is not to be underestimated.
The company can, however, keep spending its way to being the default search engine on the iPhone. But does that benefit Alphabet, or Apple?
M&G is a new stock for the show and Steve D has been taking a look at the company’s latest update. It’s one that dividend investors might want to have on their radars.
A mix of insurance and asset management is a familiar one. But risk comes from not knowing what you’re doing and is this something either Steve can process well enough?
Rising bond yields send Legal & General shares to a 9% dividend yield. That’s unusually high, so should investors seize the opportunity?
Maybe. But as Steve W outlines, this isn’t just a case where rising yields mean lower share prices – the bond selloff has meaningful consequences for the company’s dividend cover.
However we pronounce it, Zscaler is an impressive cybersecurity operation. It doesn’t really make much in the way of free cash flow (after stock-based comp) but who cares?
AI looks like a big threat that can drive demand for years to come, but Steve D has his eye on a lot of deferred revenue. Is this any different to Crowdstrike?
Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!
► Get a free share!
This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE. Terms apply.
When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.
Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
► Get 15% OFF Fiscal.ai:
Huge thanks to our sponsor, Fiscal.ai, the best investing toolkit we've discovered! Get 15% off your subscription with code below and unlock powerful tools to analyze stocks, discover hidden gems, and build income streams. Check them out at Fiscal.ai!
https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve
► Follow Us On Substack:
Sign up for our Substack and get light-hearted, info-packed discussions on everything from market trends and investing psychology to deep dives into different asset classes. We’ll analyze what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.
Don't miss out! Sign up today and start your journey with us.
https://playingftse.substack.com/
► Support the show:
Appreciate the show and want to offer your support? You could always buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/playingftse
(All proceeds reinvested into the show and not to coffee!)
► Timestamps:
0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS
7:13 GOOGLE ANTITRUST
25:45 M&G
42:55 LEGAL & GENERAL
59:32 ZSCALER
► Show Notes:
What’s been going on in the financial world and why should anyone care? Find out as we dive into the latest news and try to figure out what any of it means. We talk about stocks, markets, politics, and loads of other things in a way that’s accessible, light-hearted and (we hope) entertaining. For the people who know nothing, by the people who know even less. Enjoy
► Wanna get in contact?
Got a question for us? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/
► Enquiries:
Please email - playingftsepodcast@gmail(dot)com
► Disclaimer:
This information is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.
What’s Steve D been doing with his plums? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!
Matching results this week for the Steves. Both down, both in between the FTSE 100 and the S&P 500, but both the same – not a particularly noteworthy performance.
Nvidia’s remarkable growth story continues, but how remarkable actually is it? It’s twice Alphabet’s market cap for half the revenues and Steve W isn’t sure that’s a good deal.
On top of that, there’s the China issue to think about. That’s weighing on guidance at the moment, but could things come through better than expected in Q3?
Gamma Communications is a stock UK investors have been talking about for a while. But despite growing steadily, it’s down 33% over the last five years.
It turns out remote working isn’t as much of a thing as people thought, but the business is impressive. And at a P/E ratio below 15, is it now in value territory?
Steve D has a look at the latest earnings from Crowdstrike. Revenue growth is impressive and it’s fast-establishing itself as an indispensable part of business tech.
So far, though, it hasn’t generated any cash net of share buybacks. So is a market cap north of $100bn too much for a company that still requires investors to wait?
SSPG does not stand for Steve, Steve, and Paul. It’s a FTSE 250 travel retail company, with names like Upper Crust,and Caffe Ritazza, as well as some well-known franchises.
With WH Smith in the middle of an accounting scandal, is the stock worth checking out? UBS has a Sell rating on it, but does Steve W have a more positive view?
Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!
► Get a free share!
This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE. Terms apply.
When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.
Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
► Get 15% OFF Fiscal.ai:
Huge thanks to our sponsor, Fiscal.ai, the best investing toolkit we've discovered! Get 15% off your subscription with code below and unlock powerful tools to analyze stocks, discover hidden gems, and build income streams. Check them out at Fiscal.ai!
https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve
► Follow Us On Substack:
Sign up for our Substack and get light-hearted, info-packed discussions on everything from market trends and investing psychology to deep dives into different asset classes. We’ll analyze what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.
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https://playingftse.substack.com/
► Support the show:
Appreciate the show and want to offer your support? You could always buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/playingftse
(All proceeds reinvested into the show and not to coffee!)
► Timestamps:
0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS
8:43 NVIDIA
26:40 GAMMA COMMUNICATIONS
40:56 CROWDSTRIKE
58:52 SSP
► Show Notes:
What’s been going on in the financial world and why should anyone care? Find out as we dive into the latest news and try to figure out what any of it means. We talk about stocks, markets, politics, and loads of other things in a way that’s accessible, light-hearted and (we hope) entertaining. For the people who know nothing, by the people who know even less. Enjoy
► Wanna get in contact?
Got a question for us? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/
► Enquiries:
Please email - playingftsepodcast@gmail(dot)com
► Disclaimer:
This information is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.
Who’s in Steve D’s Fantasy Football team? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!
Both Steves seem to have solved the stock market this week, with portfolios going up on days where the S&P 500 has gone down. But only one has outperformed this week…
Shares in WH Smith crashed 42% on Thursday after the company issued a profit warning. But it bounced back 11% on Friday as investors took in the news.
Steve W is a shareholder. Accounting irregularities are never a welcome development, but is this a buying opportunity, or could there be more revelations on the way?
Steve D has a new stock for the show. Morgan Advanced Materials makes speciality products for industries like aerospace, semiconductors, and clean energy.
These are obviously cyclical and have been out of fashion recently. But is this the time to grab a bargain with the stock trading at some fairly modest multiples at the moment?
Brown & Brown is a stock we haven’t covered before. But it has a familiar business model – it aims to build scale through acquisitions in an important market.
The share price has faltered recently, with a softer insurance market weighing on profits for brokers. That, however, looks like a cyclical situation, so could this be an opportunity?
Adyen shares usually go up a lot or down a lot after the company’s earnings reports. They went down this time, but only for a short while before recovering fairly well.
The payment processing business increased revenues at its standard 20% and operating profits grew faster. And, of course, it’s time for our usual PayPal comparisons…
Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!
► Get a free share!
This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE. Terms apply.
When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.
Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
► Get 15% OFF Fiscal.ai:
Huge thanks to our sponsor, Fiscal.ai, the best investing toolkit we've discovered! Get 15% off your subscription with code below and unlock powerful tools to analyze stocks, discover hidden gems, and build income streams. Check them out at Fiscal.ai!
https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve
► Follow Us On Substack:
Sign up for our Substack and get light-hearted, info-packed discussions on everything from market trends and investing psychology to deep dives into different asset classes. We’ll analyze what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.
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https://playingftse.substack.com/
► Support the show:
Appreciate the show and want to offer your support? You could always buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/playingftse
(All proceeds reinvested into the show and not to coffee!)
► Timestamps:
0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS
6:50 WH SMITH
22:17 MORGAN ADVANCED MATERIALS
42:35 BROWN & BROWN
55:47 ADYEN
► Show Notes:
What’s been going on in the financial world and why should anyone care? Find out as we dive into the latest news and try to figure out what any of it means. We talk about stocks, markets, politics, and loads of other things in a way that’s accessible, light-hearted and (we hope) entertaining. For the people who know nothing, by the people who know even less. Enjoy
► Wanna get in contact?
Got a question for us? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/
► Enquiries:
Please email - playingftsepodcast@gmail(dot)com
► Disclaimer:
This information is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.
Who’s gone from a partnership to a limited company? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!
Steve W’s away on holiday this week, but before he went away he sat down with Jamie from Stocks and Savings to catch up. It’s been a while, so how are they getting on?
Jamie and Andreea have gone from being an Instagram operation to running a podcast of their own. And they’re storming up the Apple podcast charts…
Axon Enterprise is one of the stocks that we haven’t really talked about much on the show. And it’s hard to see why, since there’s a lot to like about the business.
Dominating a niche with software margins is very impressive. But is there any way around the fact the company pays out more in stock-based compensation than it makes in cash?
Last time we spoke, Jamie’s portfolio was behind the wider market, but that was a tough time for growth stocks. With things improving recently, has he managed to catch up?
Our guest has a pretty specific set of criteria for finding stocks to buy, inspired by a name that should be familiar to listeners. But he also thinks this is likely to change over time…
Rolls Royce? Diageo? Nvidia? Jamie from Stocks and Savings plays Steve W’s game ‘Stocks? Or Savings?’. But which of the shares on Steve’s list does he actually own?
In an unusual twist, Jamie’s also got a stock of his own for the team to consider. It’s MercadoLibre – which both Steves used to own – but don’t any longer…
Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!
► Get a free share!
This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/SNSBONUS. Terms apply.
When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.
Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
► Get 15% OFF Fiscal.ai:
Huge thanks to our sponsor, Fiscal.ai, the best investing toolkit we've discovered! Get 15% off your subscription with code below and unlock powerful tools to analyze stocks, discover hidden gems, and build income streams. Check them out at Fiscal.ai!
https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve
► Follow Us On Substack:
Sign up for our Substack and get light-hearted, info-packed discussions on everything from market trends and investing psychology to deep dives into different asset classes. We’ll analyze what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.
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https://playingftse.substack.com/
► Support the show:
Appreciate the show and want to offer your support? You could always buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/playingftse
(All proceeds reinvested into the show and not to coffee!)
► Timestamps:
0:00 STOCKS & SAVINGS INTERVIEW
11:39 AXON PITCH
41:32 JAMIES STOCK PICKING STYLE
56:41 QUICKFIRE ROUND & MELI
► Show Notes:
What’s been going on in the financial world and why should anyone care? Find out as we dive into the latest news and try to figure out what any of it means. We talk about stocks, markets, politics, and loads of other things in a way that’s accessible, light-hearted and (we hope) entertaining. For the people who know nothing, by the people who know even less. Enjoy
► Wanna get in contact?
Got a question for us? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/
► Enquiries:
Please email - playingftsepodcast@gmail(dot)com
► Disclaimer:
This information is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.
What is a “Broista”? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!
Mixed fortunes for the Steves this week in the stock market. It’s a return to normality for Steve D, but Steve W has underperformed just about everything.
Diageo’s full-year results caused the stock to climb 10% – but Steve W owns the stock and didn’t see the results as terribly positive.
It’s not long ago that investors were told to expect 5% per year in organic growth at least. Never mind, at least Gen Z are actually drinking more than they say they are, right?
Toast continues to go from strength to strength. The business, that is – the stock is down almost 10% this week after Q2 earnings showed a lower take rate.
The firm is branching into bigger businesses and retailers, so the decline is natural. But is the stock starting to emerge from under investor radars and become more mainstream?
Steve W’s been looking at Airbnb, which fell this week after its Q2 results. The market didn’t take kindly to an announcement of a big investment in Experiences.
This has been tried before and didn’t work – but maybe this time it really is different. Steve D was on the edge of selling not long ago, but might he go the other way now?
Dutch Brothers – a Steve D favourite – is putting up impressive numbers. Like-for-like sales growth across the coffee chain’s outlets is above 6%, which is very strong.
Equally impressive is the fact the firm has achieved this without putting up prices. That’s key to the firm’s value proposition for customers… as is the amount of sugar in its drinks.
Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!
► Get a free share!
This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE. Terms apply.
When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.
Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
► Get 15% OFF Fiscal.ai:
Huge thanks to our sponsor, Fiscal.ai, the best investing toolkit we've discovered! Get 15% off your subscription with code below and unlock powerful tools to analyze stocks, discover hidden gems, and build income streams. Check them out at Fiscal.ai!
https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve
► Follow Us On Substack:
Sign up for our Substack and get light-hearted, info-packed discussions on everything from market trends and investing psychology to deep dives into different asset classes. We’ll analyze what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.
Don't miss out! Sign up today and start your journey with us.
https://playingftse.substack.com/
► Support the show:
Appreciate the show and want to offer your support? You could always buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/playingftse
(All proceeds reinvested into the show and not to coffee!)
► Timestamps:
0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS
8:57 DIAGEO
21:00 TOAST
36:35 AIRBNB
50:46 DUTCH BROS
► Show Notes:
What’s been going on in the financial world and why should anyone care? Find out as we dive into the latest news and try to figure out what any of it means. We talk about stocks, markets, politics, and loads of other things in a way that’s accessible, light-hearted and (we hope) entertaining. For the people who know nothing, by the people who know even less. Enjoy
► Wanna get in contact?
Got a question for us? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/
► Enquiries:
Please email - playingftsepodcast@gmail(dot)com
► Disclaimer:
This information is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.
What happened with Rentokil this week? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!
It’s not been a good week for either Steve – or the FTSE 100, or the S&P 500. Steve W’s in between the indexes and Steve D’s below them both.
Taylor Wimpey is the latest addition to Steve D’s portfolio. But the firm made a loss and lowered its dividend as a result of cladding provisions during the first half of the year.
That, however, should be a one-off thing. And Steve W has some macroeconomic data to support the idea that the construction industry could be about to pick up.
Amazon’s share price fell sharply after the firm’s Q2 earnings report. And not just because tariff news sent the stock market down more generally.
Steve W is putting it down to weak guidance for operating profits in Q3. So is the falling share price an opportunity to get back to buying the stock?
Transmedics has been having an outstanding year so far in 2025. The stock market has responded well to the company’s latest earnings report – and for good reason.
Revenues are profits growing strongly and the firm is working on the next iteration of its product lineup. All of that bodes well for Steve D’s investment.
We’ve had a request to talk about Croda International’s latest earnings report. The stock market didn’t like it at all, but Steve W thinks the picture is more mixed.
The dividend is up despite lower free cash flows and sales are growing, but not as quickly as they were. So what should Jamie from Stocks and Savings make of the report?
Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!
► Get a free share!
This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE. Terms apply.
When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.
Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
► Get 15% OFF Fiscal.ai:
Huge thanks to our sponsor, Fiscal.ai, the best investing toolkit we've discovered! Get 15% off your subscription with code below and unlock powerful tools to analyze stocks, discover hidden gems, and build income streams. Check them out at Fiscal.ai!
https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve
► Follow Us On Substack:
https://playingftse.substack.com/
► Support the show:
Appreciate the show and want to offer your support? You could always buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/playingftse
(All proceeds reinvested into the show and not to coffee!)
There are many ways to help support the show, liking, commenting and sharing our episodes with friends! You can also check out our clothing merch store: https://playingftse.teemill.com/
We get a small cut of anything you buy which will be reinvested back into the show...
► Timestamps:
0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS
10:38 TAYLOR WIMPEY EARNINGS DEEP DIVE
35:47 AMAZON
48:20 TRANSMEDICS
58:15 CRODA
► Show Notes:
What’s been going on in the financial world and why should anyone care? Find out as we dive into the latest news and try to figure out what any of it means. We talk about stocks, markets, politics, and loads of other things in a way that’s accessible, light-hearted and (we hope) entertaining. For the people who know nothing, by the people who know even less. Enjoy
► Wanna get in contact?
Got a question for us? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/playingftseshow
Or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/
► Enquiries:
Please email - playingftsepodcast@gmail(dot)com
► Disclaimer:
This information is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.
What’s half the price of Nvidia and makes twice the revenues? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!
Neither Steve has done as well as they were hoping this week. Steve W’s disappointed to find himself between the indexes and Steve D’s had some big fallers.
Reports of Google losing market share don’t seem to be hitting Alphabet’s revenues… yet. There’s strong growth across the board, especially in the Cloud division.
There’s also news of YouTube continuing to grab market share in US screen time. But what should investors think about the ongoing issues around monopolistic practices?
Steve D has a new stock – Manhattan Associates. It’s not an office REIT, it’s a tech company with some legitimate software credentials and a focus on supply chains.
In terms of market position, it has a closer focus than some of its competitors. And as it shifts over to subscriptions, could now be a good time to consider buying?
Shares in Judges Scientific fell 15% in a day after the firm’s H1 results. Sales and profits were up as a result of a coring expedition, but the firm cut its guidance for the full year.
The company’s long-term strengths are still intact despite a recovery taking longer than expected. As a result, Steve W has a growing list of stocks to buy in August…
It’s time for another check-in with Vakuumventile AG (VAT Group). Its results are interesting, with some strong sales despite slow order growth.
There are signs of a recovery coming from China, though, which could be good for a number of businesses. But what has Steve D noticed in the latest report?
Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!
► Get a free share!
This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE. Terms apply.
When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.
Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
► Get 15% OFF Fiscal.ai:
Huge thanks to our sponsor, Fiscal.ai, the best investing toolkit we've discovered! Get 15% off your subscription with code below and unlock powerful tools to analyze stocks, discover hidden gems, and build income streams. Check them out at Fiscal.ai!
https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve
► Follow Us On Substack:
https://playingftse.substack.com/
► Support the show:
Appreciate the show and want to offer your support? You could always buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/playingftse
(All proceeds reinvested into the show and not to coffee!)
There are many ways to help support the show, liking, commenting and sharing our episodes with friends! You can also check out our clothing merch store: https://playingftse.teemill.com/
We get a small cut of anything you buy which will be reinvested back into the show...
► Timestamps:
0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS
9:06 ALPHABET EARNINGS
25:39 MANHATTAN ASSOCIATES
41:04 JUDGES SCIENTIFIC
52:13 VAT GROUP
► Show Notes:
What’s been going on in the financial world and why should anyone care? Find out as we dive into the latest news and try to figure out what any of it means. We talk about stocks, markets, politics, and loads of other things in a way that’s accessible, light-hearted and (we hope) entertaining. For the people who know nothing, by the people who know even less. Enjoy
► Wanna get in contact?
Got a question for us? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/playingftseshow
Or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/
► Enquiries:
Please email - playingftsepodcast@gmail(dot)com
► Disclaimer:
This information is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.
What does Trading212’s AI think both Steves are missing from their portfolios? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!
It’s been a volatile week in the stock market with a lot of big ups and downs. And the Steves have had differing results this time out.
Rachel Reeves delivered her Mansion House speech this week and it caught Steve W’s attention. In particular, the Leeds Reforms are looking to get the UK stock market moving.
Overall, more people considering Stocks and Shares ISAs would seem to be a win-win-win. But there’s a big question about what the education around this is going to look like…
Ashtead Technology shares have fallen sharply and it’s not hard to see why. A difficult market for subsea rental equipment has resulted in sales going backwards.
The bottom line, though, is holding up well and there’s a strong management team in place that’s been there since the start. Is that enough to put the stock on Steve’s buy list?
Wise’s latest trading update was a mixed bag, with revenues up 14% (adjusting for currency fluctuations). But the stock market didn’t love it and the shares fell as a result.
The growth was short of expectations and interest income grew faster than transaction revenues. But with where the company could be, the stock looks attractive to Steve W.
Shares in ASML fell this week after the company failed to confirm growth for 2026. But the overall results were more than reasonable.
A strong order book also indicates a good position for the medium term. Steve D owns the stock in his portfolio, but it’s already a large position – is there scope to buy more?
Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!
► Get a free share!
This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE. Terms apply.
When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.
Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
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► Support the show:
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► Timestamps:
0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS
10:21 MANSION HOUSE SPEECH
28:50 ASHTEAD TECH
40:38 WISE
53:28 ASML
► Show Notes:
What’s been going on in the financial world and why should anyone care? Find out as we dive into the latest news and try to figure out what any of it means. We talk about stocks, markets, politics, and loads of other things in a way that’s accessible, light-hearted and (we hope) entertaining. For the people who know nothing, by the people who know even less. Enjoy
► Wanna get in contact?
Got a question for us? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/playingftseshow
Or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/
► Enquiries:
Please email - playingftsepodcast@gmail(dot)com
► Disclaimer:
This information is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.
Who has to try and figure out what to do in the mornings? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!
Another week, another outperformance for one Steve. And the other one hasn’t done bad, either…
Terry Smith – known to some as Britain’s Warren Buffett – has released his shareholder letter for the first half of 2025. And the Fundsmith Equity Fund has been losing money.
Chief among the detractors is Novo Nordisk, which has been sold to make way for EssilorLuxottica. But the stocks catching Steve W’s attention are Meta and Microsoft…
FTSE 250 housebuilder Vistry reported earnings this week and the numbers are… not great. But Steve D has some news that has put the stock firmly on Steve W’s list of stocks to buy.
The investigation from the CMA looks like it’s all but settled. And with the stock having gone nowhere ahead of a £39bn government package, is the opportunity too good to miss?
Investors might wonder why shares in Celebrus Technologies jumped 15% this week after earnings. Revenues are set to fall and earnings are going negative in 2026.
That, though, is almost entirely the result of a change in revenue recognition. Steve W thinks a closer look reveals a company that’s doing just fine – and a stock at a decent price.
Steve D has been reverting to type with a South American stock with a name that’s difficult to spell. But Tecnoglass is traded on the US exchanges and it looks very interesting.
With competitive strengths ranging from low costs (due to vertical integration) to a unique product (due to patents) it’s in a strong position. And of course, a balance sheet to match.
Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!
► Get a free share!
This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE. Terms apply.
When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.
Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
► Get 15% OFF Fiscal.ai:
Huge thanks to our sponsor, Fiscal.ai, the best investing toolkit we've discovered! Get 15% off your subscription with code below and unlock powerful tools to analyze stocks, discover hidden gems, and build income streams. Check them out at Fiscal.ai!
https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve
► Follow Us On Substack:
https://playingftse.substack.com/
► Support the show:
Appreciate the show and want to offer your support? You could always buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/playingftse
(All proceeds reinvested into the show and not to coffee!)
There are many ways to help support the show, liking, commenting and sharing our episodes with friends! You can also check out our clothing merch store: https://playingftse.teemill.com/
We get a small cut of anything you buy which will be reinvested back into the show...
► Timestamps:
0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS
5:31 TERRY SMITH
21:01 VISTRY CHECK IN
38:15 CELEBRUS
51:34 TECNOGLASS
► Show Notes:
What’s been going on in the financial world and why should anyone care? Find out as we dive into the latest news and try to figure out what any of it means. We talk about stocks, markets, politics, and loads of other things in a way that’s accessible, light-hearted and (we hope) entertaining. For the people who know nothing, by the people who know even less. Enjoy
► Wanna get in contact?
Got a question for us? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/playingftseshow
Or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/
► Enquiries:
Please email - playingftsepodcast@gmail(dot)com
► Disclaimer:
This information is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.
Which hole has Steve D been shoving money down? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!
The Steves are on a roll right now – both are ahead of the FTSE 100 and the S&P 500. And there’s one stock in particular that’s been doing it for both of them over the last seven days…
Greggs shares have had another appalling week, this time due to the weather being too hot. But does that change anything about what the Steves are planning on doing with the Britbox?
The FTSE 250 stock had been on the list to buy before the latest decline. But there’s also another new name that’s joining the ranks from Steve D…
In terms of European shares to buy there’s one big name that stands out. It’s LVMH which – as of last week – both Steves have ownership stakes in.
Making way is spirits company Pernod Ricard and GLP-1 firm Novo Nordisk. But Steve D has an eye on another name from a different sector to add to the portfolio…
AstraZeneca is the latest name rumoured to be leaving the FTSE 100 for the US. But Steve W isn’t buying it – the stock or the story.
Healthcare has been the worst-performing S&P 500 sector over the last 12 months. And with RFK Jr. as Health Minister, is that really where a pharmaceuticals firm wants to be?
Anyone wanting a house, cars, or basically anything in the Baltic region realistically only has one place to look. It’s Baltic Classifieds – which is obviously a member of the FTSE 250.
The company has a nice business model and a very strong market position. And with the stock down almost 10% in day, could it be one to consider buying?
Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!
► Get a free share!
This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE. Terms apply.
When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.
Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
► Get 15% OFF Fiscal.ai:
Huge thanks to our sponsor, Fiscal.ai, the best investing toolkit we've discovered! Get 15% off your subscription with code below and unlock powerful tools to analyze stocks, discover hidden gems, and build income streams. Check them out at Fiscal.ai!
https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve
► Follow Us On Substack:
https://playingftse.substack.com/
► Support the show:
Appreciate the show and want to offer your support? You could always buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/playingftse
(All proceeds reinvested into the show and not to coffee!)
There are many ways to help support the show, liking, commenting and sharing our episodes with friends! You can also check out our clothing merch store: https://playingftse.teemill.com/
We get a small cut of anything you buy which will be reinvested back into the show...
► Timestamps:
0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS
6:55 BRITBOX CHANGES
24:58 EUROBOX CHANGES
35:32 ASTRAZENECA TO LEAVE UK STOCK MARKET
49:51 BALTIC CLASSIFIEDS GROUP
► Show Notes:
What’s been going on in the financial world and why should anyone care? Find out as we dive into the latest news and try to figure out what any of it means. We talk about stocks, markets, politics, and loads of other things in a way that’s accessible, light-hearted and (we hope) entertaining. For the people who know nothing, by the people who know even less. Enjoy
► Wanna get in contact?
Got a question for us? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/playingftseshow
Or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/
► Enquiries:
Please email - playingftsepodcast@gmail(dot)com
► Disclaimer:
This information is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.