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

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.

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!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 WEEKS7:50 3I25:39 TAYLOR WIMPEY50:41 QXO1:04:18 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.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 WEEKS5:35 RIGHTMOVE22:06 COHERENT42:58 TYLER TECH57:03 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 WEEKS5:49 GOOGLE23:28 META39:39 ADYEN55:56 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 WEEKS6:56 NETFLIX23:11 B&M EUROPEAN BARGAINHOLE43:02 CASE NEW HOLLAND58:21 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 WEEKS10:45 MORE ON THE AI BUBBLE29:32 ASML45:24 LVMH57:24 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 WEEKS8:50 CRASH INCOMING29:11 AEW UK REIT44:17 GRAINGER1:00:29 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 WEEKS07:23 GREGGS22:40 PHARMA41:04 AG BARR56:51 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 WEEKS07:26 SW PORTFOLIO23:04 SD PORTFOLIO44:13 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!► 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 WEEKS8:36 TRUMPS CHANGES26:52 GAMMA COMMUNICATIONS41:07 PETS AT HOME57:43 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.