Playing FTSE

► Episode Notes:

Who’s underperformed Steve D, Steve W, and the S&P 500? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!

With earnings coming through from the US banks, Steve and Steve are thinking about the next few weeks and months. Both are sharing their thoughts on stocks and investing this week.

Steve D has been thinking about scandals, Ponzi schemes and central banking in Lebanon. There’s a great 25 minute podcast (not ours) for someone else to listen to this week.

Steve W has been taking a look at Terry Smith’s annual letter to investors. There’s a lot in it, in terms of an outlook on AI, a view on investment fees, and some insights on buying stocks at high P/E ratios.

Are covered call ETFs something that either Steve would consider investing in? Probably not, but Steve W has an overview of the concept and Steve D has some reasons for sticking to equities, rather than moving into options via an ETF.

Progyny is a stock that both Steves have looked at before. But Steve D thinks things have been coming along over the last few years and the stock looks like a viable investment – is there anything to dislike about the company, or is this one of the opportunities of the year?

Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!

► What We Consumed This Week:

Terry Smith: https://www.fundsmith.co.uk/media/31plodnq/2023-fef-annual-letter-to-shareholders.pdf

Behind The Money: https://www.ft.com/content/e23a27fb-67f8-4558-b1ff-445ca87f03d3

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► Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

6:42 Lebanon’s Central Bank

15:30 Terry Smith Fundsmith Letter

30:32 Covered Call ETF’s

47:30 Progyny

► 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

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► Enquiries:

Please email - playingftsepodcast@gmail(dot)com

► Episode Notes:

Who’s been doing well and who’s been doing badly? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!

It’s our first show of the New Year and we’ve got an update for how we’re going to release episodes going forward. Don’t worry – we’ll still have a mix of short- and long form videos for you guys to enjoy!

In this week’s consumption news, Steve W has been looking at a website that he reckons has good data and helps with stock research. Steve D is looking at our psychological limitations.

After that it’s on to Rolls-Royce. Steve W has been looking at the FTSE 100’s top-performing stock from 2023 – after a huge rally could it still be undervalued?

Next up, Steve D has been looking for stocks from different sectors.He’s got the analyst consensus on which industries people are bullish on for 2024 – but do our podcasters agree?

We’ve also been tackling a listener question on Wickes. It’s popular with a certain kind of social media value investor, but has Steve W seen something in the metrics that they haven’t?

And we’re finishing with some questions about Forex. What is it, how does it work, and should UK investors hope for the pound to go up or down against the dollar?

Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!

► Episode Notes:

Why will Steve W be buying Wispa bars in 2024? Find out on this week's PlayingFTSE Show!

It's the end of 2023, which means it's time to review our predictions for the year and make some new ones for 2024. How did we do and what will happen?

All of us thought house prices were going to come down. We were wrong about how much, though, so what happened to stop the freefall?

Paul did annoyingly well with his predictions. Thankfully, he isn't here to tell us about this, so Steve W reviews the surge in big tech and Disney's dividend from the year gone by…

Steve D did less well by backing against Tesla, but had more joy calling positively against a recession. He wouldn't do that again, though… would be?

The lack of a recession hit Steve W’s predictions and Coinbase went the opposite way to where he forecasted it. Surely he wouldn't go for that again, though?

In 2024 predictions, we're bullish on low-cost businesses and doubtful on expensive consumer discretionaries. And we've got our resolutions for the New Year to go through.

Thanks to everyone that's been with us over the last 12 months. Here's wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.

Only on this week's PlayingFTSE Podcast!

► Episode Notes:

Who’s outperformed and who’s underperformed in 2023? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!

It’s been a remarkable year in the stock market. Somehow, everyone’s managed to come out ok as big tech has carried the S&P 500 higher.

We’re starting with Steve W, who made a commitment this year to sell less. Has he succeeded and has it paid off?

Steve D has been much more active, especially with his selling. In general, though, he’s done more good than bad, has it been enough to take him past his benchmarks?

Then we’re on to a set of viewer questions – we’ve had a few of those lately and we absolutely love them. The first is about how we got started in investing (and the answer might surprise you even if you’ve heard it before).

The second is about our investing education – where did we learn the nebulous things that we know? We started at very different times, but there’s a common thread to be found.

And the third is a really good question – why do we try and pick stocks rather than buy index-tracking funds? A timely question as we review the year’s over/underperformance.

Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast – and Merry Christmas to you and yours from us and ours.

► Episode Notes:

How long is it safe to keep prepared formula in the fridge for? Don’t find out the answer on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!

Steve and Steve are back, after a couple of weeks of pre-recorded stuff! They’re talking about the latest news from central banks, accounts for children, and their own portfolios.

After a fortnight away, the Steves have plenty to catch up with in their portfolios. Who’s been outperforming as optimism about interest rates starts to set in?

Then it’s on to what we’ve been consuming. Steve D has been using his paternity leave to do some reading and Steve W has been saying farewell to an investing legend.

The real reason stock prices have been surging lately is news from the Federal Reserve and the Bank of England. One is forecasting a cut in rates and the other isn’t, but are the Steves buying it?

And we’re ending this week with another viewer question. Now that Steve D is a dad, what’s he planning on doing to manage money for his daughter (as if he isn’t already doing it…)?

Only in this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!

► Episode Notes:

What have YOU – the PlayingFTSE audience – been wanting to know? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!

This week, Steve and Steve are tackling the questions that our listeners have been sending in. We’ve got views on stocks, stocks, and more stocks.

First, though, it’s consumption. Both Steves have been looking to try and expand their horizons with some podcasts they disagree with, but what have they been learning from Scott Galloway and Steven Bartlett?

Next up is Reckitt Benckiser – another company that once had something or other loosely to do with Hull. But is that enough to cause either Steve to want to buy the stock at today’s prices?

After that, Steve W has the latest from Kraft Heinz. The company has been finding out the limits of how far it can push prices to fend off inflation, but how concerned should investors be about anti-obesity drugs in the pipeline?

Pets at Home is a UK stock that we haven’t looked at before. But we’re glad to have it on our radar, because it looks like a really interesting company in a strongly defensive sector.

Last is NatWest. As the UK government prepares to dump its stake in the business, should either Steve be interested in the bank that’s been making Nigel Farage grumpy this year?

Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!

► Episode Notes:

Who would write the PlayingFTSE newsletter (if we had one)? Find out in this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!

For those that don’t know, Steve D became a Dad this week! So we’ve got a very special episode to market the occasion – an interview with the guys at Chit Chat Money!

Brett and Ryan are joining the Steves to talk about their experiences as podcasters and finance YouTubers, as well as talking about some stocks we all know. You don’t want to miss this one!

We’re talking about all kinds of things to do with investing and stock picking, but one of the real highlights to look out for is what makes a competent manager. These guys have some interesting thoughts!

Management competence and alignment with shareholders isn’t something that appears on a balance sheet. But it’s crucial for investors, so how can we figure out when a company’s management has shareholder interests at heart?

We’ve also got some thoughts on stocks as well. Adyen and Nintendo are ones that Steve D has had an eye on for a while and talked about on the show before, but what can our guests add to the thesis with these companies?

Lastly, we’re kicking off the 2024 predictions early. We’re asking our guests for what they think is going to happen next year – write it down and save it for later!

Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!

► Episode Notes:

► Episode Notes:

Who’s been buying smart plugs – and who’s been getting them for free?! Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!

Steve and Steve are talking investing this week. Steve W has a REIT and a macroeconomic update and Steve D is looking at two companies that reported earnings recently.

In consumption news this week, both Steves have been looking at understanding well-known businesses a bit better. Steve D has been looking at a write-up of Dsney and Steve W has been listening to a podcast about Coca-Cola, but why have these been catching their attention this week?

Next, it’s a macroeconomics update – we’ve got inflation news, GDP data, and consumer strength. But why are the Steves nervous about the future despite the news that the UK seems set to avoid a recession this year and the US is headed for a soft landing?

We’re following that with Wise – a cross-border payment processor that we’ve talked about on the show a few times. With impressive growth and more to come, is now the time to buy or should investors wait for the tough comps to move out of the way?

Next is a REIT. Steve W’s been talking about a few specialist operators recently, so here’s one that owns basically everything that’s left in the UK.

And we’re finishing with Tencent. The big just keep getting bigger with a massive domestic market to play in, but the thing really catching the eye at the moment is they seem to have access to chips that their rivals Alibaba don’t…

Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!