Progressive's George O'Connor and Ian Robertson catch up on the news and events affecting UK-listed tech companies.

Rightmove’s share price reaction to management’s decision to accelerate its investment in AI suggests that the market is not comfortable with AI and is in bear case hunt mode. Looking at Rightmove, Trainline, Autotrader et al. it is clear that AI is going to make a difference, but it is not changing that many business models.

We consider Kainos’ results and George talks us through how the business has evolved before contemplating whether there will be or, perhaps can be, a budget flush coming as those with IT budgets use it or lose it in the final months of the year.

We look forward to Sage’s forthcoming results by looking at Xero’s just gone and consider how business models and routes to market have evolved, then look to the potential float of Visma next year.

Brought to you by Progressive.

Progressive's Jeremy McKeown speaks with renowned global thematic investor Mark Farrington, exploring decades of Asian market shifts—from Japan’s boom and bust to China’s emerging challenges.

Two of Jeremy's guests this year from the world of global thematic investing, David Dredge and Marvin Barth, both cited Mark Farrington as someone they refer to for insight, particularly on developments in Asia.

Mark Farrington writes about global thematic investing in his Watchtower series on Substack: The Global Watchtower, The Dollar Watchtower, and the BoJ Watchtower. Mark is as prolific as he is insightful.

Jeremy caught up with Mark for a fascinating conversation about his experience and learnings from a long career following developments in Asia —from the rise of Japan in the 70s and 80s to its lost decade and the rise of China.

In particular, he was keen to ask Mark whether Japan can normalise its monetary policy without collapsing the global financial system. Will China follow Japan into a lost decade of debt deflation? And how poorly understood Asian markets might impact our economies and financial markets in a new world order marked by the reassertion of economic nationalism.

Mark delivered a masterclass on the hows and whys of global thematic investing. It is an episode that should have a long shelf life.

With that, please enjoy Jeremy's conversation with global thematic investor Mark Farrington.

Progressive's Jeremy McKeown and Gareth Evans discuss the week's events, with a greater focus on the UK, following the Reeves bombshell overnight that she has pivoted away from her previous indication that she would raise income tax for the first time in 50 years at the upcoming Budget on November 26th.

This suggestion across most front pages today has thrown the gilts and the value of the pound into some turmoil.

Meanwhile, in the US, the government is reopening, but to the realisation that continuing to borrow without spending has exacerbated tight dollar liquidity, as evidenced by the sharp fall in Bitcoin.   

We are entering a more volatile market phase amid the absence of official US government data on October's employment and inflation. Essentially, investors must fly blind through a period of stormy weather. What could go wrong?

In the UK equity market, despite the politics, things are looking incrementally better, with the IPO market showing signs of fully opening up.

Gareth highlights FDM and Jeremy 4imprint as examples of how to cope with difficult times and manage expectations. Both companies had inline or marginal upgrades, and their share prices responded strongly.

Looking ahead, with the US remaining quiet, it's about inflation data from the UK and Japan, both high and sticky, and increasingly problematic.

Investors in the UK will be on the latest developments from the rumour mill at No. 11. In the US, investors will be looking for unofficial signs that the authorities might be prepared to loosen conditions to ease the impact of the shutdown.

Brought to you by Progressive Equity.

As the world shifts away from net-zero absolutism, the UK faces a defining moment in its energy policy. In this episode, Progressive's Jeremy McKeown explores whether the government will save the North Sea industry—or sacrifice it on the altar of net-zero—with insights from Kathryn Porter and Martin Copeland.

As Keir Starmer and Ed Miliband return from COP30 in Brazil, Jeremy wanted to take a look at the UK’s energy policy amid a global backdrop suggesting the world is turning away from net-zero absolutism towards more human-centric policy options.

The Overton window on energy policy is being pushed aside by the likes of Tony Blair, Bill Gates, and, significantly, by the lobbying interests of big technology, and resource nationalism is being reasserted.

In the run-up to the next General Election, the UK’s energy policy will form a key battleground, and in particular, our sky-high energy prices and the future of our North Sea hydrocarbons industry will be critical factors in the debate.

Jeremy was joined by Kathryn Porter, Watt Logic energy consultant and Telegraph columnist, and Martin Copeland Chief Financial Officer of North Sea oil and gas operator, Serica Energy for a discussion about the UK’s energy policy and the future of the North Sea, for a hugely insightful conversation.

While they covered a lot of ground, the key question is whether the UK is prepared to sacrifice its North Sea oil and gas industry to the god of net-zero.

While it has already been severely damaged, it is not too late for government policy to save the jobs and energy reserves at stake, but action is needed in the upcoming Budget. This significant event could mark a turning point for an industry on the brink of destruction from the irrational pursuit of territorial net-zero at all costs.

This week, Progressive's Jeremy McKeown and Gareth Evans discuss a relatively calm week in the markets - China and the USA have reached a deal of sorts, the USD is slightly stronger but not so strong as to cause trouble elsewhere.

The Fed is confused (and will be careful, likely meaning rates staying higher) because America remains in a Federal shutdown, and data is scarce. Still, US equity markets remain robust, and Elon Musk is rejoicing at his trillion-dollar deal.

The UK, however, is still quaking at the impending budget, with so many possible taxes discussed that they can't all be needed...there may even be relief once the bad news is out. Trainline's results looked solid, but Tim Martin at Wetherspoon used a trading update as a platform to berate the government on everything from corporate regulation to nuclear power.

Next week - and perhaps many weeks to come - will see the US Supreme Court deliberate the legality of Trump's tariffs...so this week's lack of fireworks may be a postponement rather than a cancellation. What will happen when Liberation Day meets its own Judgement Day...?

Progressive's Jeremy McKeown and Gareth Evans discus the week's main market news, starting with the historic meeting between Trump and Xi, and praised Treasury Secretary Bessent for his role in positioning the market.

The Fed FOMC delivered a hawkish rate cut, which sent markets higher; however, things might get more uncertain as the US government shutdown starts to affect the collection of macroeconomic data for future releases.

They also discuss the improved prospects for Javier Milei to deliver his small-state solution in Argentina, following a surprisingly positive congressional midterm election result.

Meanwhile, the Mag Seven US mega tech companies continue their remarkable rise, with Nvidia still the clear winner. And the primary constraint on these tech titans' ambitions is reliable baseload energy, so it was unsurprising that Bill Gates and the UK government are signalling a retreat from specific net-zero policies and targets.

Finally, the backdrop and outlook for the UK's stock market is looking and feeling more positive than perhaps was feared only a few weeks ago, ahead of next month's Budget. A string of IPOs and anecdotal evidence, including the update from broker Cavendish, suggests we could have a better run into year-end after the Budget is out of the way.

This week, Progressive's Gareth Evans and Jeremy McKeown discuss the fragile peace in hot wars and trade wars.

There is a sense of finality about Trump's latest attempts to get Putin and Zelensky to agree on ceasefire terms. Trump is losing patience with both parties. The choice of Budapest as the location for Trump and Putin's meeting was no coincidence.

Meanwhile, Trump's on-and-off talks with Xi seem to be on again. The prospect of an emergent Grand Bargain remains on the table, giving equity markets hope.

Asset markets saw a significant rotation on Tuesday, with a dramatic collapse in precious metals prices and a spike in bond prices, leading to a decline in key sovereign yields. Helpful for both Rachel Reeves and Scott Bessent.

However, it remains unclear if this is just a short-term price correction in gold or a longer-term structural shift. Should investors, still fearful of the pending fiat collapse, buy the dip in precious metals?

Similarly, one needs to ask why bond yields are falling. Jeremy doesn't think there is any reassessment of governments' fiscal responsibility, but rather that it reflects worries about slowing economies or worsening credit quality in private markets.

Regarding the ongoing debate on the AI bubble, they discuss whether former UK deputy PM Nick Clegg can add any value to the issue. What do you think?

Looking ahead, Jeremy covers imminent US and Japanese inflation data and also notes the prospect for updates from the Mag Seven NASDAQ giants over the coming few weeks.

This week, Progressive's Jeremy McKeown and Gareth Evans consider Trump's quick switch from declaring peace in the Middle East to opening a (new) trade war with China, which has almost as quickly subsided, with the Trump/Xi meeting now "back on". 
 
Jeremy highlights the ongoing strength of gold - FOMO bubble or long-term trend driven by debasement of currencies ?  And the great rewards of being a gold miner - with unparalleled revenue per ounce, and costs of drilling and transport (often oil-based) in decline.  
 
Bitcoin hasn't participated in the recent gold rally - although over a longer timeframe than the last few months, it has hugely outperformed.  Perhaps both can be safe havens in a world of unaffordable government debt and spiralling-down currencies ? 
 
Meanwhile equity markets have been relatively stable, although slightly spooked by the current pressure on US lenders, driven by greater-than-apparent losses flowing from a number of insolvencies that shouldn't have rippled the way they have. 
 
Gareth talks about Gear4Music, Sanderson Design Group and Oxford Metrics, all of which this week have highlighted decent trading (or better) along with the benefit of much cost-control, in each case well received by investors.  
 
Next week we have Chinese growth data and UK inflation which could exceed 4% for the first time in over a year.  The end of the week will bring US inflation (they're still publishing despite the government shutdown) - anything much above 3.0% will both rattle markets and possibly cost someone at the Bureau of Labor and Statistics their job.  Finally, don't forget Japan...Friday also brings their latest inflation print; as always we better hope there's nothing too surprising.

Progressive's Gareth Evans and Jeremy McKeown discuss the highlights of the last week in financial markets.

Gold (and other precious metals) move to all-time highs, representing a foot on the brake. What are they worried about? Well, there are emerging risks around credit conditions in private markets and increasing concerns that the AI capex cycle is turning into a fully fledged bubble, one that Jeff Bezos, no less, called a good bubble. Jeremy mentioned the under-reported British Bicycle Bubble of the 1890s. See link for details: https://www.historyhit.com/the-great-british-bicycle-bubble-of-1896/

Trump, the peacemaker, is making progress in the Middle East, but not in time to win this year's Nobel Peace Prize. However, the consequences for any deal could involve much lower oil prices and maybe a disruption to the ascent of precious metals prices.   

Gareth discusses the UK car loan mis-selling update from the FCA, its impact on Vertu Motors and Secure Trust, and this week's results from Beeks Financial Cloud.

Looking forward, the macro news includes trade and inflation data from China, as well as employment and GDP data from the UK.

With the US government shut down, there are question marks over what to expect from the US market or whether the inflation data on October 15th will even be released.

Brought to you by Progressive Equity.

Rory MacDonald, CEO of Made Tech Group, and Neil Elton, CFO, present the group's results for the year ended May 31, 2025, followed by a Q&A session.

Rory MacDonald, CEO
00:16 Introduction
01:02 FY25 Highlights

Neil Elton, CFO
03:54 FY25 Financial Highlights
08:24 Bookings and Revenue
10:04 Adjusted EBITDA
11:55 Balance Sheet

Rory MacDonald, CEO
13:55 Industries
17:22 Clients
19:03 Case Study: NHS England
20:16 Case Study: Home Office
21:23 Services
24:26 Software Products
26:01 Social Value
27:45 People
29:41 Outlook

31:51 Q&A

Made Tech is a provider of digital, data and technology services, which enable central government, healthcare, local government organisations and other regulated industries to digitally transform.

The Group operates from three locations across the UK - London, Manchester, and Bristol.

More information is available at https://investors.madetech.com/.