Playing FTSE

► Episode Notes: How will Yorkshire fare in this season’s County Championship? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast… Steve and Steve are looking at the start of a new ISA season (not just the start of the County Championship). They’re talking investing principles, stocks on their radars, and whether or not to lump it in. First off, the Steves have been looking forward to this point for a while now. Steve W has his eye on bricks, banks, and buildings and Steve D has been buying all that and much more. After that it’s time for some other podcasts. To start with, Morgan Housel has a new book and accompanying show – Steve D’s been taking a look and a listen. And Steve W (prompted by Steve D) has been checking out the Howard Marks podcast. Both Steves think this is a really terrific one for investors wanting to think about markets, stocks, and investing. Lastly, TUI shares are up 10% on the day of recording (and the market hasn’t been open since). With debt faling and demand strong, could it be time to take a look at the maligned tour operator? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show! ► 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....COMPOUNDING! (you read that in Svens voice right? Did Briscoe mention he got Sven on the show!?) ► Get a free share! Trading 212 is OPEN to UK users again! If you'd like to sign up and get a free share you can do so on the link below! Best of all Kacper (our editor) gets one too! https://www.trading212.com/invite/FffeVAn3 ► Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 4:39 Banks, Bricks and Buildings 23:32 Morgan Housel Podcast 27:22 The Memo - Howard Marks 40:27 TUI ► 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

► 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 Finchat.io: Huge thanks to our sponsor, FinChat.io, 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 FinChat.io! https://finchat.io/playingftse/?lmref=iQl2VQ ► Episode Notes: Who’s been playing FC25 in Bolton Wanderers mode? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show! Monzo – the bank that Steve and Steve have owned for what seems like ages – has been making noises about going public. But will it list in London, or in the US?  A lot of UK companies have been listing in the States recently, but Steve D is hoping for a London IPO. Is this one for the AIM or the main market? J.D. Wetherspoon’s has released its latest trading update and Steve W thinks it’s… fine. Like-for-like sales growth is decent enough, but only really in line with the industry.  The company has no realistic price competition from its rivals, but supermarkets are the big challenge. So how will the firm cope with higher tax and NI contributions? From the AIM, Steve D’s investment in Ashtead Technology is starting to pay off. But nobody on our show is quite sure why.  Revenues are set to come in marginally ahead of expectations, with EBITA (no D) up. Surely that’s not enough to set the stock off, though… is it? We haven’t talked about FTSE 250 dividend aristocrat Spectris on the show before – but that might have been a mistake. The stock has been bouncing back off its lows recently.  It’s in the precision measurement space and Steve D knows it from work. But Steve W has concerns over the impact of weak demand from China and its implications for profits. Prologis is still the biggest publicly-listed real estate investment trust (REIT) – we checked. It’s heavily exposed to some promising trends that are emerging, but it’s cheap right now. With a lower cost of capital than its rivals, the firm is well-positioned to make it through a period of normalising demand. So could it be one for either Steve to buy right now? Steve W has been looking at the latest results from Associated British Foods. It’s underwhelming across the board, but especially when it comes to Primark.  Despite this, the stock looks cheap right now. And it might be that the retailer’s results – disappointing as they are – could justify the entire market cap by itself… We’re always interested in Netflix on this show. And Steve D has been looking at a very impressive performance from the world’s leading streaming platform.  Revenue growth has been picking up and margins are widening, greeting great unit economics. And with its competitive position getting stronger, is it too late to buy the stock? Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast! ► 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 7:05 MONZO IPO 12:20 JD WETHERSPOONS 17:32 ASHTEAD TECH 23:00 SPECTRIS 28:25 PROLOGIS 35:39 PRIMARK AND FRIENDS 48:33 NETFLIX ► 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 did Steve D get for his birthday? What does Paul think of the Lion King? And why does Steve W think Corning is a transparent company? Find out in this week’s Playing FTSE podcast! This week, we start off with a game from Steve D. Paul and Steve W take random pairs of stocks and try to figure out which has the highest TRAILING EPS. This one’s a high scoring one as Paul and Steve W reason, remember, and wildly guess their way through acquisitions, stock splits, and twenty numbers to remember. Some of these are easier than others—see how you get on. More importantly, see how you get on with the Netflix vs. Visa question. “WOW” says Paul… With the game out of the way, it’s onto a semiconductor special. We start off with the latest developments in the story concerning Nvidia’s attempt to buy ARM Holdings. Led by new antitrust enthusiast Lina Khan, the FTC has sued to stop Nvidia from acquiring ARM on the grounds that it might unfairly stifle competition with other chip manufacturers. Steve W takes baby steps in figuring out exactly what ARM does, Paul thinks about the implications for Nvidia, and Steve D ponders the possibility of a future ARM IPO and the prospects of owning shares if the company appears on the LSE. In contrast to Nvidia, Intel has been lagging somewhat lately. Underperforming shares and a general struggle to innovate has caused the X86 outfit to lose ground to its rivals. But this week, the company announced an intention to spin off self-driving car unit Mobileye—arguably the most promising aspect of the company at the moment. With the intention of improving “visibility” for Mobileye, both in terms of investment and in terms of attracting talent, Intel are letting the company trade separately whilst retaining a controlling interest. Paul runs us through the difference between Intel’s Mobileye and Tesla’s FSD as the Steves take opposite views on the wisdom of the move from Intel. Who loves it and who hates it? Find out here! Lastly, we have a look at the new ETF from ARK. With their flagship ARK Innovation ETF down 22.6% over the last 12 months against a 29% gain for the S&P 500 (figures correct at the time of writing) ARK have launched a new ETF focused on the most transparent companies. Paul looks through the holdings and investigates how closely the fund is tied to the index it purports to track. Steve W wonders why ARK weren’t doing this sooner. And Steve D reflects on the run that ARK have had this year. Support the show:    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....COMPOUNDING! (you read that in Svens voice right? Did Briscoe mention he got Sven on the show!?)     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! Got a question for us? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to us on Twitter (@PlayingFTSE). Enquiries: playingftsepodcast@gmail(dot)com

What’s Steve D spent £100 on? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!The FTSE 100 took a hit as investors rotated away from materials and back towards quality. But which Steve managed to cash in this week?Vistry shares took an absolute hammering when the company released its full-year results. The CEO is leaving, but Steve W saw two other reasons the market might not be happy.A shift to prioritising the balance sheet over share buybacks is one reason and cutting prices to clear the inventory is another. But were those part of the investment thesis?Steve D has a new UK growth stock to take a look at. It’s Avingtrans, which looks to buy, improve, and then sell small industrial businesses in some very promising markets.Defence, data centres, and nuclear power are all areas that the firm has exposure to. And with a strategy for avoiding the challenges that come with size, is it one to buy?Conflict in Iran has sent FTSE 100 share prices all over the place. But Informa has been one of the biggest casualties, despite not being a big oil consumer. On top of that, there’s talk of an AI threat to contend with in the company’s publishing division. Steve W owns this one – what’s he doing? 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 analyse what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.You’ll also find our new 10-week investing and research course available right now. It’s completely free, with no sign-up required, no payment, and none of the usual BS. Don't miss out. Join us today and get stuck in.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 WEEKS7:27 VISTRY23:46 AVINGTRANS49:24 INFORMA► 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 bought a Zapdos this week? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!Big divergences in the stock market this week. The FTSE 100 is up, the S&P 500 is down and both of the Steves round to zero – make of that what you like.Cava – the Greek version of Chipotle Mexican Grill – has reported earnings. And the stock market really liked them. Sales are growing, the company’s opening more stores, and it’s branching out into salmon. But does the valuation make any sense?Diageo’s share price fell 13% after it’s annual results. One reason for that is a dividend cut, but Steve W’s not surprised.There’s also a change in direction from premiumisation to products with broader appeal. But is that a winning strategy or a risk?Transmedics continues to go from strength to strength. The firm has the best product in a recession-resistant industry and it’s expanding into Europe.It’s more expensive than a sandwich cooler, but if it can keep going there could be good things for investors. Steve D has the latest on this one.Axon Enterprise is a rare example of a tech stock that looks AI-proof. It’s very well-protected by its hardware division.Stock-based comp has always been an issue, but management is making moves to address it. Is it enough, or still egregious?Axsome Therapeutics is a stock we don’t cover often. In fact, we don’t really talk about life sciences that much – but this is a good one.Repurposing existing molecules has led to some explosive revenue growth. And there’s the potential for a lot more on the way in April…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 analyse what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.You’ll also find our new 10-week investing and research course available right now. It’s completely free, with no sign-up required, no payment, and none of the usual BS. Don't miss out. Join us today and get stuck in.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 WEEKS7:38 CAVA22:09 DIAGEO33:08 TRANSMEDICS47:15 AXON ENTERPIRSE57:26 AXSOME THERAPEUTICS► 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.

Where is Steve W seeing cockroaches? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!Steve D’s portfolio has been running away with it, once again. At the other end, there’s a tie for last place in this week’s leaderboard – but between who or what?There are a lot of people who claim to being the next Warren Buffett, but Mohnish Pabrai has a closer connection than most. And he’s got a new ETF that launched last week. It’s not a closet index, but is it worth paying for? Steve D doesn’t think so and Steve W thinks there’s a big difference between the Wagons ETF and Berkshire Hathaway…The stock market didn’t like Klarna’s results and the share price is down in a big way. But are investors making a mistake and presenting an unusually good opportunity here?A key theme of the show in recent months has been paying attention to how companies recognise revenues. And Steve D is wondering whether this might be one more for the list.Molina Healthcare is a stock that’s been attracting the attention of some high-profile value investors recently. As well as those guys, Steve W has been taking an interest.The company has been hammered through a difficult Medicaid situation, but it has a structural advantage over competitors. So at unusual lows, is it time to consider buying?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 analyse what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.You’ll also find our new 10-week investing and research course available right now. It’s completely free, with no sign-up required, no payment, and none of the usual BS. Don't miss out. Join us today and get stuck in.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 WEEKS7:19 WAGONS FUND23:28 KLARNA47:14 MOLINA HEALTHCARE► 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 doesn’t like Mondays? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!A difficult week in the stock market for both Steves. But which one’s done badly and which one’s been awful?Adyen’s results are in. It’s the usual growth of roughly 20% and the stock has – as usual – moved in a vertical direction, so not much to report, right?Actually no, there’s a lot to talk about and not just how much better than PayPal the company is. So get strapped in for a long one – Steve D’s on form this week.Roper Technologies is a stock that’s found its way onto Steve W’s buy list. The SaaS selloff has pushed the share price down dramatically and it now looks like an opportunity.It’s a collection of vertical software businesses under one roof. And with management is making the right moves in response to the stock going down, could this be the moment?Monday.com is down mightily recently, as part of the broader software selloff. Steve D, though, is eyeing this one as a potential opportunity as the earnings are coming in strong. There’s not so much good news on the guidance front. But with the stock down 50% since the start of the year, is it just too cheap to ignore? 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 analyse what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.You’ll also find our new 10-week investing and research course available right now. It’s completely free, with no sign-up required, no payment, and none of the usual BS. Don't miss out. Join us today and get stuck in.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 WEEKS10:14 ADYEN38:48 AD BREAK38:54 ROPER TECH55:19 MONDAY.COM ► 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 does SteveD think about when he wakes up in the morning? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!It’s been quite the week in the stock market. But which Steve has been busy, and which has been biding his time waiting for an opportunity?Alphabet posted some outstanding results for the fourth quarter of 2025. Cloud growth is rapid and search is going from strength to strength boosted by Gemini.The stock fell, though, on news of a big capex spend somewhere between $175 and $185bn for this year. Is that too much (and why is the firm still paying a dividend)?Amazon shares dropped 10% after news of a $200bn capex spend. But Steve W doesn’t think that’s a huge amount in the context of AWS’s Q4 revenues. Analysts at D.A. Davidson don’t agree, though. They think the company is faltering and being left behind by competitors – does Steve D agree?It's been a long time since we talked about Atlassian. But the stock has been caught up in the SAAS selloff this week and Steve D thinks it's time to look again. What would it take for an AI newcomer to do serious damage to an incumbent software company? Or is this a huge buying opportunity in the sector? 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 analyse what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.You’ll also find our new 10-week investing and research course available right now. It’s completely free, with no sign-up required, no payment, and none of the usual BS. Don't miss out. Join us today and get stuck in.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 WEEKS9:11 ALPHABET EARNINGS31:28 AMAZON50:07 ATLASSIAN► 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.

Where can you find PDF files? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!Both Steves are between the indices this week. But we’re doing something a bit different with the return (for one week only) of our games.SAAS companies have been falling lately and we’ve been (mostly) paying attention. So Steve D has a quiz about how far they are from their highs.See how you get on at home. A point if you can get closer than Steve W, he scores one if you’re further away – can you win at this game?It’s time for a closer look at Mastercard and Visa. They’re a value investor’s worst nightmare – outstanding businesses that are never cheap but keep on outperforming.Steve D’s been checking out both. And he’s having a closer look at whether buying today might be something that he looks back on positively in 2028.Meta Platforms saw its share price rise after Q4 earnings. But the big question for investors is why – the firm is set to ramp up its capital expenditures in a big way in 2026.Steve W thinks a more positive tone from the CEO might be part of the story. And at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of around 21 going forward, it’s relatively cheap…We’ve not been looking at Stride for very long, but Steve D is off to a cracking start with the stock. A huge lift after earnings means it’s time to reassess the thesis. AI has been a major disruptor for the SAAS space in the last few months. But could Stride’s ability to get people jobs be invaluable in an unemployment-driven recession?3i has been one of the FTSE 100’s leading lights over the last 10 years. And the stock is recovering from a crash a few months ago, but the company is doing… ok.Action’s like-for-like sales remain a bit of a challenge, especially in France. But with two new countries to expand into, is there still enough growth to justify a big multiple?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 analyse what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.You’ll also find our new 10-week investing and research course available right now. It’s completely free, with no sign-up required, no payment, and none of the usual BS. Don't miss out. Join us today and get stuck in.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 WEEKS7:27 GETTING SAASY QUIZ18:40 MASTERCARD & VISA35:43 META49:23 STRIDE1:01:17 3I (ACTION)► 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!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 analyse what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.You’ll also find our new 10-week investing and research course available right now. It’s completely free, with no sign-up required, no payment, and none of the usual BS. Don't miss out. Join us today and get stuck in.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.

Who’s struggling in Sri Lanka? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!Down weeks all round this time in the stock market. But Steve D at least has something worth reporting from the last seven days It might be a tough time for private equity, but KKR still have a view on the stock market for 2026. And it’s one that should give both Steves a lot of reason for optimism.According to their forecasts, high quality beats low quality, asset-light beats asset-heavy in 2026. Is that set to play right into this show’s hands?Netflix stock is near a 52-week low and it fell again after its latest earnings report. The reported numbers were decent, but sales growth going forward is set to be a bit lighter.The bigger issue, though, is the firm’s bid to take over Warner Brothers Discovery. There’s a lot of risk involved, but Steve W thinks it might be that the company can’t lose…Wise is a UK stock we both like and it’s soaring after the latest update. It’s very strong – but not really in a way beyond what we’ve come to expect from the firm.Is the stock market finally coming to see what’s going on? Or is there another reason why the share price has pushed higher as it prepares for a dual listing?Judges Scientific is one of our top growth stocks, but it fell sharply earlier this week. The company’s guidance was very weak, but Steve W thinks things could turn around sharply.Demand in the US has been the issue, but Congress has thrown out the administration’s plans to cut research funding. So is a huge recovery on the cards in the next few months?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.► Spreadsheet Link:Link for the spreadsheet!https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TznNUa7Asty2IvxfqPQV6PWWC4UUU-T7q3-AedlJQX4/edit?usp=drivesdk► 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 analyse what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.You’ll also find our new 10-week investing and research course available right now. It’s completely free, with no sign-up required, no payment, and none of the usual BS. Don't miss out. Join us today and get stuck in.https://playingftse.substack.com/► Timestamps:0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS7:10 KKR’S GUIDE TO THE MARKETS28:27 NETFLIX44:00 WISE56:31 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.

Who’s spent £130 on Vistry shares? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!Steve D’s managed the show’s standard performance – between the FTSE 100 and the S&P 500 this week. Steve W, on the other hand…Earnings season for the S&P 500 is underway with the big banks reporting. And their share prices didn’t react particularly well, but the stocks still look unusually expensive. By contrast, Visa and Mastercard have fallen back into more familiar P/E territory. So is there a better opportunity there with a short-term distraction on the table?The Diageo share price has been a disaster for the last couple of years. But as the details of the new CEO’s plan to turn the firm around become clear, Steve W is getting interested.Selling off some of the company’s non-core holdings could release more cash than you might think. There are, however, still some big challenges still to deal with. Vistry is a stock both Steves have had a close eye on for 2026. But the stock market’s reaction to its most recent update was not positive at all.With a big government project on the way, is the dip an opportunity? Or are there still major concerns ahead for investors in the housebuilding sector?Steve D’s VAT Group has had a great week. A 16% jump puts the stock level with Applied Materials and Lam Research – two of its major customers – since the start of the year.The AI drive has been fuelling strong demand across the semiconductor equipment industry. And there’s a lot to like about a company that sells components…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 WEEKS5:29 US BANKS21:48 VAT GROUP38:32 DIAGEO54:20 VISTRY► 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.

Where is Botley? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!Steve W is feeling pretty good about his portfolio – ahead of the S&P 500 and the FTSE 100. But Steve D is feeling even better – new year, new us?Defence stocks were one of the stock market’s top themes for 2025. But a pair of announcements from Donald Trump caused chaos in share prices on Thursday.One prohibited dividends and share buybacks, but the other proposed to raise US defence spending to $1.5trn in 2027. Steve W’s been looking at what it means for UK stocks.Steve D has been taking a closer look at a stock we’ve been interested in before. Nemetschek is the European version of Autodesk – except that it might be better. A collection of niche software businesses that have been shifting to subscription models might be attractive. It’s in the Eurobox, but is it one to consider buying?Stocks with a 9% dividend yield rarely come without a catch. In that spirit, Steve W’s been looking at Regional REIT, which might have more going on than it seems at first sight.Occupancy levels are low and interest costs are set to increase. But the company has plans to turn its portfolio around, so could there be an opportunity on the other side?We all know the UK’s real Warren Buffett isn’t Terry Smith – it’s Mike Ashley. And he’s been piling into a stock (via derivatives) that Steve D likes the look of. Grainger is one we’ve talked about before. It’s a REIT with a very nice portfolio, plans to expand, and a knack for filling its properties faster than it can build them…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 WEEKS9:29 DEFENCE ANNOUNCEMENTS25:40 NEMETSCHEK47:00 REGIONAL REIT1:03:19 GRAINGER► 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!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 WEEKS10:03 BRITBOX AND EUROBOX CHANGES28:04 REVIEWING PREDICTIONS48:37 NEW PREDICTIONS► 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.

Whose portfolio has been gold and whose has been meh? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!Merry Christmas Everyone! We’re actually recording this about a week early, but we’re excited to be sharing the big day with all of you.It’s the most wonderful time of the year. We’re reporting on how our portfolios have done and giving you the satisfaction of pointing out how much better than us you are.Steve D has had a pretty good year. If you squint, he’s ahead of the S&P 500, but you do have to have had a few by the time this show goes out to let him get away with it.The big news is that he’s selling out of Alphabet just as Berkshire Hathaway is moving in. But he’s also building a cash pile that looks a lot like Warren Buffett’s, so what’s he up to?Steve W has not had a good year. To say anything else, you’d have to be blind drunk on the Christmas spirits and even then, that probably wouldn’t be enough to do it.Bunzl, Diageo, Celebrus, and 3i have been ruining things this year. But is he going to do anything differently next year, or will it just be more of the same and hoping for the best?The Eurobox has done quite well, mostly because we don’t really know what we’re doing with these stocks. But does that mean we can’t change a winning team?By contrast, the Britbox has been an interesting mixture of outstanding performers and complete rubbish. The net overall result is… rubbish, so what are we going to do about it?Only on this Christmas 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 WEEKS7:31 REVIEWING STEVE D’S PORTFOLIO30:19 REVIEWING STEVE W’S PORTFOLIO49:10 EUROBOX & BRITBOX UPDATE► 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 happens when a roof truss goes into cardiac arrest? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!With one week to go before Christmas, the Steves have generated the same result. It’s between the FTSE 100 and the S&P 500 and it’s positive… just.We haven’t looked at Jet2 on the show before, despite it being a stock that several of our UK friends like. But with net cash almost equal to its market cap, is it too good to be true?Steve W thinks it is. But there are some real reasons to like the stock, including an interesting growth opportunity at Gatwick and a strong reputation with its customers…Inpost is a company we hadn’t heard of until a couple of years ago. But with lockers springing up all over the UK (as well as Poland) both Steves know it well.The business model is familiar and straightforward, but a there’s risk of big customers becoming competitors. So what does Steve D think about buying this one for his portfolio?It’s been a tough year for FTSE 100 distributor Bunzl and it’s finishing with an uninspiring trading report. And the guidance for 2026 involves further margin contraction.Steve W is invested in this one in a fairly heavy way. So with sales edging higher and ongoing share buybacks, what’s he going to do about it in the new year?Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE PodcastREVERSE DCF Linkhttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19wU7cc9w7HK3mhmgUjU9F7113ZmlDZn45vrWOysb7Is/edit?usp=drivesdk► 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 WEEKS11:16 JET228:00 INPOST1:03:14 BUNZL► 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.

Happy birthday to who? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!This show is the one we recorded, but a Cloudflare outage prevented us from airing it when it was originally due. So don’t worry about market performance – just enjoy!It’s been a while since we looked at Inditex – the parent company of Zara. But Steve D thinks it’s worth coming back to see how things have been going. After a weak first half of the year, things are starting to pick up. So could this be an opportunity to buy shares in a retailer with an unusually strong position?Salesforce’s share price has been unusually resilient in a stock market where software firms have been falling. So Steve W’s taking a look at the firm’s latest earnings.Revenues are up double digits and the outlook seems reasonable. But is this enough to justify a price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 30 in today’s market?Crowdstrike continues to impress both Steves. It’s a business that’s built for durability in a world that continues to shift towards artificial intelligence, so why haven’t they bought it?High valuation multiples haven’t really held the stock back before now – the only recent issue has been an operational one. Given this, maybe they ought to get off the sidelines…Steve W’s enthusiasm for acquisition-driven compounders continues with SDI Group – a small UK stock. It’s down a lot due to cyclical pressures, but could that be an opportunity?A while ago, we talked about the idea that Judgest Scientific might be getting a bit big. We thought it it was ridiculous, but anyone who disagreed might want to check this one out…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 WEEKS8:12 INDITEX24:37 SALESFORCE38:22 CROWDSTRIKE53:28 SDI 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 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 makes a self-destructing phone? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!There’s nothing good to report from the Ashes, so the Steves are sticking to the stock market this week. Unfortunately, there’s nothing good to report there, either…Todd Combs isn’t going to be Warren Buffett’s long-term replacement. He’s leaving for a job at J.P. Morgan, but should Berkshire Hathaway shareholders be worried?Steve W takes a look at what Todd has done, hasn’t done, and might or might not have done to figure this one out. And Steve D has an idea of who might be a good replacement…Stride is a new stock for the show, but in a familiar industry. It’s involved in online learning and – like another name in the sector – it’s down 54% this year.Steve D thinks there’s a lot of potential, though. Looking past an operational mishap this year, the firm’s courses come with real accreditations, which might be hard to emulate…Adobe shares are up following the company’s latest earnings report – but only just. And despite 10% revenue growth, the stock is still well down over the last 12 months.Strong uptake of AI products is keeping growth strong for the time being. But is this sustainable – and does it make the stock a buy at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 21?Steve D has been having another look at Synopsys. It’s been a while since we talked about this one, but software for semiconductors has been running very strong recently. The stock is expensive, but not outrageously so and it’s in a duopoly where both firms manage 80% gross margins. Add in an acquisition and its starts getting interesting…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 WEEKS7:03 TODD’S TODDLING OFF21:37 STRIDE42:33 ADOBE56:24 SYNOPSYS► 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.

How many runs are England going to lose the next Test by? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!Both Steves have been doing well this week in the stock market. But the S&P 500 has been ahead of both of them – just... Compass Group is a stock we liked very much when we looked at it earlier this year, but we thought it was expensive. It’s fallen since then, though, and the growth keeps coming. The big question for investors is how far organic sales growth rates are going to fall. Management thinks it might not be much further, though, so how’s it looking now?The big news this week was the UK Autumn Budget. There was a lot speculated before the event, but Steve D has the details of what actually happened on the day. Steve W’s been looking at some stocks that responded positively, but he’s not convinced they were the real winners. And that includes one from his own portfolio…Smiths Group is a FTSE 100 industrial conglomerate (this one’s not a travel retail business). And Steve W’s been steering around it for some time now. That’s changed in the last week or so, though. But while an activist investor is trying to unlock value, is there a chance to buy the stock at a bargain valuation?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 WEEKS9:08 COMPASS GROUP21:36 THE BUDGET 48:35 SMITHS 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 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 going to win the Ashes? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!In a down week for the stock market, it’s Steve W who’s been making it happen for the show this week. He’s down slightly less than Steve D – is that what winning looks like?Nvidia’s earnings this week looked pretty good – sales growth was strong and is expected to be strong in the next quarter. But the stock went the wrong way the following day. One reason is the Bitcoin fall, but Steve W thinks there’s more going on. Is the stock market getting suspicious of the firm’s growth with everything going on right now?We haven’t talked about Klarna on the show, but Steve D’s about to change that. With US delinquencies going higher, this seems like a strange time to be thinking about that stock.There’s more than this going on, though. There’s a full-blown bank beneath the surface and if things go wrong with buy-now-pay-later, someone else might be holding the bag…WH Smith finally released the report from Deloitte into its accounting irregularities. And the stock was up as a result, despite the news that this year’s profits are going to be lower. Steve W owns this one and is well down on it. But with some profits moved into the past and some lost, is it worth buying after the latest news?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 WEEKS7:02 NVIDIA26:19 KLARNA46:43 WH SMITH► 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.