Playing FTSE – Details, episodes & analysis

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►Episode Notes:

Who’s been giving their money to the stock market? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show! It’s been a positive week in the stock market and the Steves are both up in their portfolios. But one of them has knocked the cover off things over the last 7 days. In quickfire news we’re looking both sides of the Atlantic. US railroad Norfolk Southern has fired its CEO while UK industrial Renishaw has issued a good trading update. There’s also been a positive earnings report from Adobe, as inflation starts to approach the FED’s target in the US. But how important is this? The Rentokil share price fell 20% this week after a profits warning. And we’ve had a question from a viewer about whether Steve W still wants to buy this one. It’s not been a good peak season for the firm and the integration of its big acquisition is taking time. But at around 18 times this year’s earnings, it might be too cheap to ignore… Steve D has been looking at Inditex – a really interesting fashion company that trades on the Madrid stock exchange. The industry has been tough lately, but this looks different. There are signs of a genuine moat around this business that offers some protection from shifting trends. And not being exposed to the US consumer right now also helps… Starbucks has been through a lot lately – both as a stock and as a business. Steve W has been taking a look at the situation and the job facing the new CEO. The company looks like it’s in a difficult spot. But can Steve D see a way through the clouds to a brighter outlook for investors? Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!

► Extra Items:

Enjoy My Mug:

https://playingftse.teemill.com/product/if-in-doubt-do-nowt-mug/

Renishaw:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3J1tC4n2OXhu5892910abr?si=axKm5i4LTSqTjNJjbPoKpQ

► 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!?)

► Timestamps:

0:00 Intro & Our Weeks

4:55 Cricket

9:10 Quick Inflation

11:45 Quick Adobe

16:26 Quick Norfolk Southern

19:47 Renishaw Earnings

23:19 Rentokil News

39:52 Inditex

54:07 Starbucks News

► 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.

► Get a free share!

This show is sponsored by Trading 212! If you'd like to sign up for an account and get a free share you can do so on the link below!

https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE

► Get 15% OFF Finchat.io:

Our friends at Finchat.io have kindly offered our subscribers 15% off any paid subscription on their site. We highly recommend this tool for stock analysis and summarising earnings calls!

https://finchat.io/playingftse/?lmref=iQl2VQ

► Episode Notes:

What is spodumene? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show! It feels like the end of the summer in the UK. Steve D is getting ready for a special someone’s birthday while Steve W is celebrating with some peanut brittle. This show was recorded on September 5th. The markets hadn’t been kind in the run-up to this episode, but it was before things got even tighter on Friday… In quickfire news we’re looking at news from the UK and the US. At home, the British ISA is now officially a non-starter and there’s a chance Rightmove might be selling up. In the US, some weak PMI data and a subpoena caused Nvidia shares to sell off, while Zscaler had a small dip after some decent earnings. Time to buy, or cause for concern? Steve W’s fascination with US freight trains continues. After a discussion of CSX, he’s been taking a closer look at their main competitor. Norfolk Southern has had a turbulent few years. But has the PlayingFTSE Show’s value investor been a bit too quick to dismiss a former Warren Buffett favourite? Steve D has been looking at a new stock that was mentioned on the Trading212 Forum. Ashtead Technology is an underwater equipment lessor that looks very interesting. The company looks like it can benefit from both traditional and renewable energy. The stock doesn’t look expensive and there’s a lot to like about the management team, too. Albemarle’s share price has had a difficult time since 2022. The cost of lithium falling as electric vehicles fail to take market share has caused the stock to drop a long way. Steve W thinks now might be the time to have a look at the company, though. With some of the best assets in the world, what are the risks investors need to worry about? Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!

► What We Consumed This Week:

Norfolk Southern Article: https://yale.app.box.com/s/d009mv14ictfpeokpixqy6znllq4ay8m

► 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!?)

► Timestamps:

0:00 Intro 

1:18 Announcement

2:04 Our Weeks

4:04 BISA Gone

7:38 Nvidia Rocked

10:36 Zscaler Results

13:45 Rightmove For Sale

17:26 Norfolk Southern

29:32 Ashtead Technology

45:24 Albemarle

► 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.

► Get a free share! This show is sponsored by Trading 212! If you'd like to sign up for an account and get a free share you can do so on the link below! https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE ► Get 15% OFF Finchat.io: Our friends at Finchat.io have kindly offered our subscribers 15% off any paid subscription on their site. We highly recommend this tool for stock analysis and summarising earnings calls! https://finchat.io/playingftse/?lmref=iQl2VQ ► Episode Notes: Who didn’t get what they voted for in this week’s election? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show! It’s been a really good week for UK shares. The election going as the market expected has helped prices in the FTSE 100 and the FTSE 250. Steve and Steve are in to talk about the election, but not just the election. There’s a lot to talk about in terms of stocks to consider buying. We’ve talked about the election quite a lot over the last few weeks, so feels right to have a debrief now that it’s all done. Labour won in a landslide and there were big gains for Reform and the Greens. What lessons should investors – and UK citizens more generally take from this one? Steve and Steve have their ideas, but from now, it’s mostly about looking forward. Monzo has been boosting its security recently. The bank that brought in a notification to say they’re not calling you now has some interesting new features. There’s now the ability to set locations for transferring large amounts, so if your phone goes missing there’s a bit more protection. Would Steve and Steve be willing to sign up for it? Labour’s plan to build 1.5m new houses over the next three years is ambitious. But it could be a big boost for Forterra – the show’s favourite brick manufacturer. The stock is climbing after the election result on the promise of strong demand. Steve W is wondering whether this is time to buy, sell, or hold, though. We haven’t discussed McDonald’s on the PlayingFTSE Show before. Most people – certainly us – know what it does, but there’s more going on than meets the eye. Widening margins and a declining share count aren’t what we might expect from a stock at a 52-week low. So is there a buying opportunity here for either of the Steves? 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....COMPOUNDING! (you read that in Svens voice right? Did Briscoe mention he got Sven on the show!?) ► Timestamps: 0:00 Intro & How’s Your Week Been? 9:38 Election Debrief 21:01 Monzo 33:26 Forterra 49:58 Mcdonalds ► 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

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This weeks show is in partnership with InvestEngine.   If you sign up using this link via https://investengine.pxf.io/P0MY5e you'll get a £25 welcome bonus when you invest at least £100 (T's & C's apply).   InvestEngine (UK) Limited is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 801128).  

► Episode Notes:

Earnings, earnings, earnings, and earnings! Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!

Before we get started, a quick request. We’re getting very close to the magic 1,000 subscribers on YouTube right now. And we’d really appreciate a shove to get us over the line. We’ve always concentrated on making the best videos we can and we love and the appreciate the audience we have that tunes in every week. Thank you all and that will never change. But another 70 subscribers would really help us move things along here. So if there’s someone you can persuade to subscribe for us, please do!

Anyway, we’re talking earnings this week. It’s that time of the year again and there’s lots to look at and talk about.

Steve W is kicking us off with the banks. He owns Citigroup, but they’ve all been reporting earnings. Steve thinks he’s seen some important trends coming through that are worth paying attention to. But what do Paul and Steve D think?

Next, it’s the inevitable. It’s Tesla. The company reported lighter than expected revenues and the stock is down significantly in response. But they still delivered more cars than ever before and Elon Musk blamed the disappointing numbers on shipping concerns. So what’s the problem?

After that, it’s ASML. More strong results from the semiconductor machinery monolith. Good news for Paul and Steve D, who own this stock and have been loading up on it in the last quarter. Steve W doesn’t own it, though — why not?

We’re finishing with Netflix. After a couple of disappointing quarters, the company reported some strong subscriber numbers. And there’s much more for shareholders to be excited about. What does Netflix shareholder Steve D think? And why do we all disagree with Motley Fool analyst Tim Beyers?

Find out on this week's PlayingFTSE podcast!

► Invest Engine:  

This week's show is in partnership with InvestEngine. 

If you sign up using this link click here you'll get a £25 welcome bonus when you invest at least £100 (T's & C's apply).   

InvestEngine (UK) Limited is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 801128).  

► Episode Notes:

Why has Paul been selling his stocks in a bear market? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!

Following on from last week’s portfolio update from Steve and Steve, Paul is here with one of his very own. Half of it isn’t there any more. But why has he been selling? And do the Steves approve? Paul’s here to tell us everything.

The US Fed is hiking interest rates to tackle inflation. Cathie Wood thinks this is a bad idea. ARKK has had a rotten year and it’s crushed the ETF’s total return over the last five years. Is she talking her own book, or does she have a point?

We’ve also got more news from Netflix. We talked about the ad-sponsored plan last week, but Paul wasn’t here and he’s got some thoughts to contribute. With the ad-supported plan around a fiver, will anyone pay for the premium version? And how long will it stay this cheap?

Lastly, we’re looking at inflation and the macroeconomic news. With nothing better to do with his time, Steve W has been thinking about why the markets are constantly going down every time there’s a jobs announcement, an inflation print, or a GDP update. But what’s he thinking about the stock market at the moment?

It’s Q4 and Steve and Steve are here. Welcome to the PlayingFTSE Podcast!

September’s ended. The guy from Green Day might have been asleep, but the Steves have been doing stuff. They’re here to check in with their portfolios as well as their buy and sells.

We’re kicking off with a summary of the biggest holdings in our portfolios at the start of Q4. Steve D has Netflix in there. We’ve talked about this a lot on the show and the stock has been doing well. Is he planning to keep it?

Steve W has two new buys at the top of his investments. A Warren Buffett stock has been bumping Berkshire Hathaway down the list in his portfolio and there’s a REIT at the top of it. What’s our value investor been up to?

Next up, it’s the new buys. Both the Steves have been busy putting cash to work as the market comes down. Which UK stock have they both been putting their cash into this quarter? It’s one that we’ve talked about a fair bit on the show lately.

After that, it’s what’s been going the other way. Steve D has been moving things out of his portfolio and into his GIA for tax purposes. Steve W has been clearing the decks and concentrating his portfolio down to concentrate on his bigger holdings. There might be a surprise or two on the way here…

And we’re finishing up with two rounds of stocks that we’re looking at. They aren’t stocks for Paul, since neither of them pays a dividend. But we like them.

Steve D is looking at the leader in cystic fibrosis. It’s coming up to a patent cliff, but Vertex Pharmaceuticals has that covered. There’s cash and the business is maturing. Time for some shareholder returns soon?

Steve W is looking at yet more tech. He’s found something that has a good moat, charges a registration fee on .com websites, and has some good protection from disruption. It’s buying back shares, but can it keep the growth going?

Only on this week's PlayingFTSE

► Invest Engine!  

This week's show is in partnership with InvestEngine.   If you sign up using this link via https://investengine.pxf.io/P0MY5e you'll get a £25 welcome bonus when you invest at least £100 (T's & C's apply).   InvestEngine (UK) Limited is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 801128).

Our archers pick up their bows and arrows and take aim at this week’s stories. Only on the PlayingFTSE show!

Steve and Steve are in this week to talk about stories. And they’re starting with the small stuff. It’s the UK’s latest economic plan.

This has been top of mind for Steve W for a few days now and he’s been trying to figure his way around it. He’s not a fan, but he thinks it’s been badly covered in the mainstream media. What does it mean for the Steves and UK citizens and UK investors? Neither has an answer, but they’ll do their best to try and work through things.

It’s unusual that we get ourselves involved in anything political and so the rest of the show is stocks, stocks, and more stocks. We’ve got SIX that are on our radar as we head into October and Q4.

First up, Steve D is looking at Kering. He’s nearly always looking at Kering, because of all the designer gear he frequently wears. But he thinks the shares are particularly eye-catching at the moment. Find out why as Steve takes us through the stock’s latest decline.

Second, Steve W is looking at Rightmove. He’s nearly always looking at Rightmove, because of his enormous property empire. But he thinks that the shares are particularly eye-catching at the moment. Find out why as Steve takes us through the stock’s latest decline.

Third, Steve D is watching Legal & General. The UK insurer stands to do well as interest rates rise and the stock has come down to a level where Steve thinks it pays an interesting dividend. Could this be enough to get him over the line?

Fourth, Steve W is watching Wells Fargo. The US bank stands to do well as interest rates rise and the stock has come down to a level where Steve thinks it pays an interesting dividend. Could this be enough to get him over the line?

Fifth, Steve D has his eye on some healthcare. This is one we haven’t talked about much on the show, but Steve is looking at Biomerieux. Steve doesn’t back himself to evaluate a pharmaceutical’s pipeline, but his thesis here doesn’t depend on this. So what’s he seeing here?

Sixth, Steve W has his eye on some healthcare. This is one we haven’t talked about much on the show, but Steve is looking at GSK. Steve doesn’t back himself to evaluate a pharmaceutical’s pipeline, but his thesis doesn’t depend on this. So what’s he seeing here?

All on this week's PlayingFTSE Podcast!

Two of us have terrible internet connections. Welcome to the PlayingFTSE Podcast!  

We are three again. Paul's back from his latest adventures. Except he's not really, and he's with us live from a hotel room. We're recording this show on a Tuesday, so mark our homework as we go through the week where we boldly make unimaginative predictions about interest rates.  

Paul wants to know whether the Steves can pass a French or German financial literacy test? The questions are easy, but will the Steves trip over their own feet? And can you do any better? There's a 30% portfolio bonus in it for you if you can pass the test -- Paul says so, so get in touch with him to claim it.  

After that it's stocks. Steve D has been looking at a UK tech company -- yes there is such a thing. It's Endava, involved in outsourcing stuff. Is he just trying to tempt Paul with another stock with heavy exposure to Eastern Europe? And does this fly in the face of the recent trend towards anchoring?  

Steve W also has a tech stock! It's been that kind of week. Guidewire Software is a CRM company focused on insurers. It's unprofitable, pivoting its business in a way that's depressing its gross margins, and a long way from reaching full scale. Can he justify the price for it?  

Lastly, it's the story about Beyond Meat's COO going all Mike Tyson on someone's nose in a car park. Don't say we don't tackle the big issues. Only on this week's PlayingFTSE!

No Paul this week – it’s another round of Playing FTSTEVE!

On this week’s show, we’re talking about Adobe, Ethereum, stocks we’d like to buy, and the new FAANG stocks.

We’re kicking off with some impromptu news about Ethereum. There’s a merge going on. What’s happening and what does it mean for stocks? Steve D has the news and Steve W is thinking about Nvidia…

Next is the new FAANGs. Steve W’s been reading something from the Bank of America talking about the new leadership in stocks for a low-growth, high inflation world. What makes the list? And do the Steves prefer FAANG 2.0, or the original recipe?

We also have news from Adobe. The stock is down quite a bit since news of its acquisition of rival Figma was announced. Steve D’s been looking at this one -- $20bn sounds like a lot, especially since half of it is coming in Adobe’s stock.

Lastly, it’s stocks that we’ve got our eyes on. Steve D is looking at a European stock with a dominant position in aesthetic dentistry. Steve W has been checking out a FTSE 250 industrial distribution outfit. These aren’t for Paul, but could they be for you..?

Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE!

Wow. What an episode this turned out to be. Fracking, Hargreaves Lansdown, and Damien Talks Money. Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!

Not much has happened this week. We’ve got a new Prime Minister, though. With Liz Truss taking charge, friend of the show Damien from Damien Talks Money is here to help us make sense of it all.

We’re starting off with energy. The new Prime Minister has announced plans to limit the average energy bill to £2,500 per year. Steve W’s heard that this is good for inflation – why?

After that, it’s on to the straightforward question of fracking. Damien wants to know what our regulars think of fracking. Steve D lives on a fracking site, Steve W doesn’t, and Paul isn’t sure. So who thinks what about getting gas out of the ground?

Next, we’re on to the real reason that Damien’s here. He wants to talk about awful investments that we’ve made in the past. Steve W once owned shares in a REIT – what went wrong there? Paul owns shares in a Russian miner – why? And Steve D invested in some businesses that went – which? Mostly, though, what’s Damien been unwisely putting his money into?

We finish with the news. Paul’s had a special offer from Hargreaves Lansdown. Steve W hasn’t, so he’s taking his ball somewhere else. And Steve D has the latest news on Freetrade’s seemingly-annual dilution of investors.

Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE!