Playing FTSE

playingftsepodcast
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We're a UK based podcast discussing all types of investing. Light-hearted and info-packed, we'll try our best to bring you great coverage of the markets, stocks, politics, and loads of other things in a way that’s accessible and (we hope) entertaining!

  1. 21 hr ago

    The Doctor Is Back! And His Diagnosis Is Clear...

    **Check Out James On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trade_pass/** What’s harder: building a data centre in space or a house in the UK? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show! This week, we have something a bit different. With Steve W on holiday, it’s the return of the UK’s Number 1 independent stock picker – Dr. James Fox! It’s been quite the year in the stock market. And James is here to break it all down for us – as well as telling us where he thinks we’re heading from here. Unlike a lot of investors, James doesn’t mind timing the stock market. He’s focused on buying low and selling high, which is what the best investors do. On top of that, though, he’s got some very specific things he looks for in an investment. So what’s he been buying and selling over the last few months? AI has been the theme of 2026 and some time before and Micron has been one of our guest’s top-performing stocks. But he also has some reservations about the industry. Sooner or later, someone has to make some money in the industry. James, however, thinks the hardware buildout could still have years left to run… Energy is the other big theme James has been looking at. It’s well-known that data centres need a lot of power and that has to come from somewhere. Is solar the answer? It solves a lot of the problem of grid connectivity and with the US focused on oil, it’s hard to argue that the stocks are consensus choice right now… It’s been a tough year for Terry Smith and Fundsmith. But the UK’s Warren Buffett has announced a change of strategy and it looks a bit like closer alignment with James. Despite this, our guest isn’t entirely convinced by some of the latest Fundsmith moves. And one stock that’s particularly interesting at the moment is AppLovin. Is the doctor in or out on Adobe, MercadoLibre, and SpaceX? And what about BAE Systems, Barratt Redrow and Wise? It’s our quickfire stock discussion with the UK’s top-ranked independent stock picker. This is one you won’t want to miss. Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!

  2. 23 Aug

    Building, Credit & Market Measuring

    What’s the most crowded trade right now? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show! Another middling performance from Steve and Steve this week. But with both the FTSE 100 and the S&P 500 down, that’s not really anything to shout about… Steve W’s been looking at the state of the stock market right now. The Bank of America Fund Manager Survey for August is throwing up some interesting data. Investors are still concerned about AI and the semiconductor trade. But they’re getting more bullish, so is this the time to buy, sell, or hold? Steve D has been watching Klarna since the stock went public. The market hasn’t really been impressed so far and the share price is down big this week.  Nonetheless, the business has posted some very strong growth figures ahead of expectations. With weaker guidance coming, though, is the fall justified? We’ve had a request to check in on Howden Joinery Group – a FTSE 100 kitchen supplier. So Steve W’s picking this up for the latest news. Competition is ramping up, especially from B&Q. But can it disrupt well-established relationships and a business that’s growing even as its market contracts? The time to buy stocks is when they’re cheap. And Steve D’s Nemetschek is a great example of a company that’s doing well despite a falling share price. There’s strong growth and AI integration has been a huge boost for the specialist building software firm. So what’s Steve’s next move? Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast! ► Free Share + Exclusive Deals — Start Here: 🎁 Free Fractional Share — Open a Trading 212 account through our link and grab shares worth up to £/€100, completely free. Terms apply. 👉 https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE When investing, your capital is at risk. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. 📊 15% Off Fiscal.ai — The investing toolkit we actually use. Analyse stocks, spot hidden opportunities, and build income streams. 👉 https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve ► About Playing FTSE: What's happening in the markets — and why should you care? We break down the week's biggest financial news, stocks, and economic mayhem in a way that's actually enjoyable to listen to. No jargon, no waffle, just straight-talking chat about money, markets, and the madness in between. For people who want to get smarter about investing — without wanting to fall asleep. ► Free Investing Course + Newsletter: 📬 Join us on Substack for our completely free 10-week investing and research course — no sign-up fees, no paywalls, no nonsense. Plus regular deep dives on market trends, investor psychology, and asset classes that will genuinely make you think differently. 👉 https://playingftse.substack.com/ ► Enjoyed the Episode? ☕ Buy us a coffee (we'll spend it on the show, promise): 👉 https://ko-fi.com/playingftse 💬 Drop a question in the comments or find us on Instagram: 👉 https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/ 📩 Business enquiries: playingftsepodcast@gmail.com ► Show Notes: Playing FTSE is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please consult a qualified financial professional before making investment decisions.

  3. 16 Aug

    Monday, Adyen and is Abel Able?

    What day of the week does Monda.com report earnings on? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show! Steve D has absolutely run away with it in the stock market this week. With Steve W, it depends on how you measure things… Adyen shares have been driving Steve D’s portfolio higher. But there are quite a few things to pay attention to.  A move to buying over building and a push to buy computing power at the high end of the cycle look out of character. The stock, however, is still well below its 5-year high…  Berkshire Hathaway without Warren Buffett in charge doesn’t feel quite the same. But is that a bad thing?  Steve W’s been looking at the latest earnings report. Insurance was weak, but let’s be honest – the really interesting bit is Greg Abel knocking a hole in the $300bn cash pile. The stock market is starting to decide what it thinks of software companies. And it’s sorting them into winners and losers.  Which one is Monday.com? It’s a bit hard to tell - the numbers look pretty robust, but it’s making the kind of moves of a company under AI pressure… Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast! ► Free Share + Exclusive Deals — Start Here: 🎁 Free Fractional Share — Open a Trading 212 account through our link and grab shares worth up to £/€100, completely free. Terms apply. 👉 https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE When investing, your capital is at risk. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. 📊 15% Off Fiscal.ai — The investing toolkit we actually use. Analyse stocks, spot hidden opportunities, and build income streams. 👉 https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve ► About Playing FTSE: What's happening in the markets — and why should you care? We break down the week's biggest financial news, stocks, and economic mayhem in a way that's actually enjoyable to listen to. No jargon, no waffle, just straight-talking chat about money, markets, and the madness in between. For people who want to get smarter about investing — without wanting to fall asleep. ► Free Investing Course + Newsletter: 📬 Join us on Substack for our completely free 10-week investing and research course — no sign-up fees, no paywalls, no nonsense. Plus regular deep dives on market trends, investor psychology, and asset classes that will genuinely make you think differently. 👉 https://playingftse.substack.com/ ► Enjoyed the Episode? ☕ Buy us a coffee (we'll spend it on the show, promise): 👉 https://ko-fi.com/playingftse 💬 Drop a question in the comments or find us on Instagram: 👉 https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/ 📩 Business enquiries: playingftsepodcast@gmail.com ► Timestamps: 0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS 6:34 ADYEN 25:40 BERKSHIRE 44:24 MONDAY ► Show Notes: Playing FTSE is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please consult a qualified financial professional before making investment decisions.

  4. 9 Aug

    E-Commerce to SaaS: BIG Earnings Recap

    What’s Michael Burry buying? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show! It’s a close-run thing in the stock market this week. At least, it is between Steve and Steve – the FTSE 100 and the S&P 500 are nowhere to be seen really… MercadoLibre shares fell after strong revenue growth – and lower profits. The company is investing to strengthen its position, but is this a good thing? Amazon, Shoppee, and Temu are all coming for the Brazilian e-commerce market. Steve D, however, isn’t really worried… It’s been quite the year for SAAS stocks and Steve D has the good, the bad, and the ugly. The difference between them is quite striking. We’ve had the right framework for thinking about these on the show – so far. But which name has been the runaway winner in Steve’s portfolio? Uber shares went down – and then back up again – after earnings this week. The issue is a familiar one in the form of heavy spending and uncertain returns.  It’s not the only company looking to maintain its competitive position in a changing world. But is it going to turn out more like Rightmove, or Microsoft? Progyny losing Amazon as a customer should have been a huge blow. But while it hasn’t been a good thing, the company has continued moving forward.  That’s hugely impressive. So why did the stock fall after this week’s earnings report? Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast! ► Free Share + Exclusive Deals — Start Here: 🎁 Free Fractional Share — Open a Trading 212 account through our link and grab shares worth up to £/€100, completely free. Terms apply. 👉 https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE When investing, your capital is at risk. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. 📊 15% Off Fiscal.ai — The investing toolkit we actually use. Analyse stocks, spot hidden opportunities, and build income streams. 👉 https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve ► About Playing FTSE: What's happening in the markets — and why should you care? We break down the week's biggest financial news, stocks, and economic mayhem in a way that's actually enjoyable to listen to. No jargon, no waffle, just straight-talking chat about money, markets, and the madness in between. For people who want to get smarter about investing — without wanting to fall asleep. ► Free Investing Course + Newsletter: 📬 Join us on Substack for our completely free 10-week investing and research course — no sign-up fees, no paywalls, no nonsense. Plus regular deep dives on market trends, investor psychology, and asset classes that will genuinely make you think differently. 👉 https://playingftse.substack.com/ ► Enjoyed the Episode? ☕ Buy us a coffee (we'll spend it on the show, promise): 👉 https://ko-fi.com/playingftse 💬 Drop a question in the comments or find us on Instagram: 👉 https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/ 📩 Business enquiries: playingftsepodcast@gmail.com ► Timestamps: 0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS 07:07 MERCADO LIBRE 26:50 SAAS 47:28 UBER 1:04:04 PROGYNY ► Show Notes: Playing FTSE is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please consult a qualified financial professional before making investment decisions.

  5. 2 Aug

    Bugs, Bakes and Bots

    What’s Steve D doing with his tights? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show! The Steves are back to winning ways in the stock market. But Steve W’s had a disaster on one name in particular… The FTSE 100 made new highs, but Rentokil shares fell 20% in a day. Steve W owns this one and he’s been having a closer look.  Results for Q2 don’t look too bad. But lower organic growth, operating margins, and declining market share isn’t a good combination. Greggs shares might be at the start of a comeback. The stock surged after results this week, despite some good – but not great – results. Is it a short squeeze, or is there more going on? Steve D has the latest news on the number of sausage rolls people are ordering when they don’t have to ask for them in person. Microsoft shares surged this week after the company’s Q4 (as they call it) results. Revenue growth is strong and capex looks under control, but Steve W is looking at something else. Satya Nadella outlined a really interesting plan. Instead of competing with OpenAI and Anthropic, why not just let them compete with each other and cash in? We’ve had a user question from a viewer! How do we screen for stocks and what do we use? The short answer is that we don’t really. But the reasons could be more involved and complicated than you might think… Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast! ► Free Share + Exclusive Deals — Start Here: 🎁 Free Fractional Share — Open a Trading 212 account through our link and grab shares worth up to £/€100, completely free. Terms apply. 👉 https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE When investing, your capital is at risk. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. 📊 15% Off Fiscal.ai — The investing toolkit we actually use. Analyse stocks, spot hidden opportunities, and build income streams. 👉 https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve ► About Playing FTSE: What's happening in the markets — and why should you care? We break down the week's biggest financial news, stocks, and economic mayhem in a way that's actually enjoyable to listen to. No jargon, no waffle, just straight-talking chat about money, markets, and the madness in between. For people who want to get smarter about investing — without wanting to fall asleep. ► Free Investing Course + Newsletter: 📬 Join us on Substack for our completely free 10-week investing and research course — no sign-up fees, no paywalls, no nonsense. Plus regular deep dives on market trends, investor psychology, and asset classes that will genuinely make you think differently. 👉 https://playingftse.substack.com/ ► Enjoyed the Episode? ☕ Buy us a coffee (we'll spend it on the show, promise): 👉 https://ko-fi.com/playingftse 💬 Drop a question in the comments or find us on Instagram: 👉 https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/ 📩 Business enquiries: playingftsepodcast@gmail.com ► Timestamps: 0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS 7:33 RENTOKIL 21:21 GREGGS 38:43 MICROSOFT 55:38 HOW WE SCREEN FOR STOCKS   ► Show Notes: Playing FTSE is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please consult a qualified financial professional before making investment decisions.

  6. 26 Jul

    Ins, Outs & Shaking All Abouts -- Is That Really What It's All About?

    Where are the 2027 Test Matches taking place? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show! A truly dreadful week for both Steves in the stock market. The FTSE 100 and the S&P 500 are both up and they’re down over 3% – each. That’s not great, but what’s been doing the damage? And in a week where most of their portfolios are red, how have they managed to focus almost entirely on shares that are up?! Judges Scientific was one of our top UK growth stocks for 2026. But that hasn’t really come to fruition and the latest update from the company isn’t particularly strong. The macroeconomic pressure is still on in the US and China. And with the next Geotek expedition now moving further into the distance, Steve D is getting ready to take action… Roper Technologies is one of the stocks Steve W decided to buy as a counter to the rise of AI. And the stock is up on the latest earnings, which seem to be showing strong signs. Revenues and profits are growing and AI integration is pushing the business higher. But is the firm missing a huge chance to be more aggressive with its capital allocation right now? 3i has been one of the FTSE 100’s biggest disappointments since we got interested in it. A strong update, however, and the stock seems to be heading back to its former glories. As usual, it’s all about Action. The recent challenges look like a temporary setback, but where are we now in terms of growth, valuation, and future prospects? Forget Tesla – the S&P 500’s big-name report this week was Alphabet. Steve W thinks the update looked pretty good, but investors don’t seem to agree – the stock fell on the news. Across the company, AI looks like it’s helping products and services. Free cash flow might have gone negative, but the market was ready for that… wasn’t it? Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast! ► Free Share + Exclusive Deals — Start Here: 🎁 Free Fractional Share — Open a Trading 212 account through our link and grab shares worth up to £/€100, completely free. Terms apply. 👉 https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE When investing, your capital is at risk. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. 📊 15% Off Fiscal.ai — The investing toolkit we actually use. Analyse stocks, spot hidden opportunities, and build income streams. 👉 https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve ► About Playing FTSE: What's happening in the markets — and why should you care? We break down the week's biggest financial news, stocks, and economic mayhem in a way that's actually enjoyable to listen to. No jargon, no waffle, just straight-talking chat about money, markets, and the madness in between. For people who want to get smarter about investing — without wanting to fall asleep. ► Free Investing Course + Newsletter: 📬 Join us on Substack for our completely free 10-week investing and research course — no sign-up fees, no paywalls, no nonsense. Plus regular deep dives on market trends, investor psychology, and asset classes that will genuinely make you think differently. 👉 https://playingftse.substack.com/ ► Enjoyed the Episode? ☕ Buy us a coffee (we'll spend it on the show, promise): 👉 https://ko-fi.com/playingftse 💬 Drop a question in the comments or find us on Instagram: 👉 https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/ 📩 Business enquiries: playingftsepodcast@gmail.com ► Timestamps: 0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS 7:33 JUDGES OUT - BUT WHATS IN? 23:23 ROPER TECHNOLOGIES 38:04 3I 50:08 ALPHABET ► Show Notes: Playing FTSE is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please consult a qualified financial professional before making investment decisions.

  7. 19 Jul

    Banks, Buildings & Discount Ferraris

    What are bumpers for? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show! The Steves are flying again this week, with both well ahead of the FTSE 100 and the S&P 500. But which surprise name has been driving both portfolios higher? Since we identified it as a top UK stock for 2026, Vistry has been the FTSE 250’s worst performers this year. And it’s down again after announcing H1 profits below expectations. Steve W, however, thinks there are encouraging signs for H2. So could the UK’s most heavily-shorted stock be set for a comeback in the second half of the year? It’s earnings season in the S&P 500 and that means one thing: banks. This time, it’s Steve D covering the Wall Street results from Wall Street. The news is pretty positive, which shouldn’t be a big surprise. But is a victory lap in order closer to home with a FTSE 100 name in the Britbox? Steve W has a new name on his list of stocks to buy. It’s Exor – a Dutch holding company trading at a huge discount to its NAV. By itself, that’s not necessarily anything new. But it’s biggest asset might be a unique opportunity to get exposure to a premium name at a huge discount. Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast! ► Free Share + Exclusive Deals — Start Here: 🎁 Free Fractional Share — Open a Trading 212 account through our link and grab shares worth up to £/€100, completely free. Terms apply. 👉 https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE When investing, your capital is at risk. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. 📊 15% Off Fiscal.ai — The investing toolkit we actually use. Analyse stocks, spot hidden opportunities, and build income streams. 👉 https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve ► About Playing FTSE: What's happening in the markets — and why should you care? We break down the week's biggest financial news, stocks, and economic mayhem in a way that's actually enjoyable to listen to. No jargon, no waffle, just straight-talking chat about money, markets, and the madness in between. For people who want to get smarter about investing — without wanting to fall asleep. ► Free Investing Course + Newsletter: 📬 Join us on Substack for our completely free 10-week investing and research course — no sign-up fees, no paywalls, no nonsense. Plus regular deep dives on market trends, investor psychology, and asset classes that will genuinely make you think differently. 👉 https://playingftse.substack.com/ ► Enjoyed the Episode? ☕ Buy us a coffee (we'll spend it on the show, promise): 👉 https://ko-fi.com/playingftse 💬 Drop a question in the comments or find us on Instagram: 👉 https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/ 📩 Business enquiries: playingftsepodcast@gmail.com ► Timestamps: 0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS 11:07 VISTRY 25:50 BIG BANK ROUNDUP 49:38 EXOR ► Show Notes: Playing FTSE is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please consult a qualified financial professional before making investment decisions.

  8. 12 Jul

    Stocks We're Buying, Selling & Fundsmith Meltdowns!

    Who’s not impressed by the seaside? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show! This week, Steve W’s had one to forget (just). But Steve D’s managed to do a better job – enough to keep the show’s dignity intact. It’s time to finalise the changes in the Britbox. And there’s a bit of a change from what we talked about last week.  Our viewers have suggested RELX and Sage, but Steve D’s got an eye on the London Stock Exchange Group. The big question, though, is what’s gone wrong with Steve W’s choice?? In the Eurobox, Steve W’s got a new name to look at. It’s a growth stock with a familiar business model that could have a long runway for future earnings increases. Steve D’s got some strong ideas as well. But the big question is what’s going to make way for these new stocks that we’re wanting to buy? Is this the beginning of the end for Fundsmith? We usually think these headlines are a bit overblown, but the latest letter to shareholders has a worrying tone to it. The results are one thing – even the best in the business go through periods of underperformance. But a fundamental change of strategy looks like a more worrying sign. Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast! ► Free Share + Exclusive Deals — Start Here: 🎁 Free Fractional Share — Open a Trading 212 account through our link and grab shares worth up to £/€100, completely free. Terms apply. 👉 https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE When investing, your capital is at risk. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. 📊 15% Off Fiscal.ai — The investing toolkit we actually use. Analyse stocks, spot hidden opportunities, and build income streams. 👉 https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve ► About Playing FTSE: What's happening in the markets — and why should you care? We break down the week's biggest financial news, stocks, and economic mayhem in a way that's actually enjoyable to listen to. No jargon, no waffle, just straight-talking chat about money, markets, and the madness in between. For people who want to get smarter about investing — without wanting to fall asleep. ► Free Investing Course + Newsletter: 📬 Join us on Substack for our completely free 10-week investing and research course — no sign-up fees, no paywalls, no nonsense. Plus regular deep dives on market trends, investor psychology, and asset classes that will genuinely make you think differently. 👉 https://playingftse.substack.com/ ► Enjoyed the Episode? ☕ Buy us a coffee (we'll spend it on the show, promise): 👉 https://ko-fi.com/playingftse 💬 Drop a question in the comments or find us on Instagram: 👉 https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/ 📩 Business enquiries: playingftsepodcast@gmail.com ► Timestamps: 0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS 8:37 BRITBOX INS AND OUTS 26:32 EUROBOX INS AND OUTS 46:04 FUNDSMUDGE ► Show Notes: Playing FTSE is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please consult a qualified financial professional before making investment decisions.

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About

We're a UK based podcast discussing all types of investing. Light-hearted and info-packed, we'll try our best to bring you great coverage of the markets, stocks, politics, and loads of other things in a way that’s accessible and (we hope) entertaining!

Information

  • Creator
    playingftsepodcast
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    324
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © playingftsepodcast
  • Show Website
    Playing FTSE

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