Playing FTSE

What will the stock market do in 2023? Is the Legal & General dividend safe? Where’s Paul? Find out the answer to none of these questions on this week’s PlayingFTSE show!

Kicking us off, Steve D has some fun facts about the show. As a podcast, we get a Spotify wrapped just like (or nothing like) everybody else. At one point, we made it into the top 5% of most followed podcasts on Spotify! Thank you to everyone who put us there, everyone who keeps listening and watching, and everyone who has sat through the tirade of adverts that Steve accidentally lined up on last week’s show. He also has some notes on his big Larry…

Steve also has some exciting news about a new savings account. It’s from First Direct and pays 7% interest on an amount between £75 and £300. Who needs investing? What is our show even *for*? And do the Steves have this account? Find out…

In other news, the FCA thinks that people shouldn’t be stashing their money in savings accounts yielding 0.25%. We tend to think the same thing with our money, but Steve W is wondering why the authorities have finally got around to this idea. Their plan is to lower the qualification requirement for financial advisors dealing with people who have basic needs. Never mind what we think — what does actual financial advisor Tom Morgan think? Find out at the end of the show…

One of the things you might like to invest in is the Meet Kevin Pricing Power ETF. That’s a thing and we’re here to discuss it. Steve D thinks it looks strange, Steve W thinks it looks expensive. There’s clearly some merit to the idea that pricing power is important and Meet Kevin has a huge following, of the kind we’ll likely never have, and he’s a very very good salesperson. But what kind of ETF would we be if we were going to start a fund of our own?

Steve W has found something he prefers. Preferred stocks. Our resident value investor has a hunch that stocks that pay fixed dividends might be about to become a sought-after asset as a recession cuts into corporate profits. And there’s one in particular that’s on his agenda. Steve D reads Steve W’s written work, so he knows what it is. And attentive viewers will recognise it from a previous episode.

All on this week’s PlayingFTSE podcast!

How many Japanese trading houses can Paul name? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE show!

We’ve got World Cup Fever this week on the show. It’s an exciting time in the world of football and an exciting time in the world of stocks. We kick the show off with news from the FCA — it’s encouraging trading apps to stay away from ‘gamification’ and falling into gambling territory. Is that too little too late? Steve W thinks so, but Paul has other ideas…

Relatedly, UK investment platform Freetrade has put itself up for sale. It’s an interesting time to be looking at doing this, but Steve D still owns some Freetrade stock. Is he selling?

That brings us to our next topic — Trading 212. They’ve been adding some new Japanese positions on the CFD platform. With the idea that they might be coming to the ISA soon, the Steves have been checking out what’s on offer. The main thing catching their eye is the prospect of investing like Warren Buffett in some trading houses. But what are they, and why is Buffett upping Berkshire’s stake in them?

Lastly, it’s the big one. Disney has just fired its CEO. His name is Bob. They have a new one. His name is also Bob. Like the one before. But what’s going on there? Are investors just getting tetchy at the falling share price and unprofitable streaming operations? Or is there something more to this story? Steve D has the info.

All on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!

Steve D’s avoiding crashes and Paul’s going straight down. Welcome to the PlayingFTSE Show!

The Autumn Statement is this week’s big news and there’s a lot in it. Up go taxes (for higher earners anyway) and down goes the Dividend Allowance. There’s more money for the NHS and less tax free money for dividend investors. Will it stabilise the UK markets? Is it a good budget? Should we be worried? There’s a lot to talk about and the three of us have a lot of different ideas.

After that, it’s the comparatively trivial matter of $32bn of scandal going on in crypto. We’ve been staying away from the FTX story so far while it unwinds, but we can ignore the matter no longer. What lessons can we learn from the shambles? And what happens next for Sam Bankman-Fried?

In happier news, it’s 13F season again. Warren Buffett’s been to the shops and bought himself a decent piece of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company which both is and isn’t on-brand for the Oracle of Omaha. Something else has been catching Steve W’s eye, though, as everyone ponders the semiconductor manufacturing play…

Lastly, there’s the UK’s Warren Buffett. He’s been buying a lot of things. None of them is Meta Platforms, despite its share price being down significantly. One of them, though, is Apple, which Fundsmith has been staying away from fairly carefully. Is this change of heart welcome?

Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE podcast!

Who’s won themselves a hoodie? Find out in this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!

With Paul away on top secret business, the Steves are looking after this week’s show. What have they been doing, what have they been buying, and what have they been thinking about?

First, though, it’s the business of sorting out the competition from last week. Steve’s put his replies to all of the correct comments into a random comment finder and we’re using that to draw one on the spot. It’s a tricky business, so bear with us. But keep your fingers crossed, while you do…

In UK stock news, Persimmon has announced a cut to its dividend. The FTSE’s top laggard is guiding weak for the future and reported poorly for the last trading period. But is this anything to do with the business, or just some macroeconomic headwinds. We give our views.

Next, it’s the big news. The really big news. Trading 212 has unleashed the Portuguese Exchange. With so many new stocks to invest in, what are Steve and Steve thinking about? There’s also the news that they’re changing the way they display and report prices. Will it help Steve W’s portfolio? Can anything do that?

After that, it’s a viewer question. Someone in last week’s comments has fastened on to Steve W’s scepticism about Meta Platforms and its stock-based compensation. Why is it a real cost when it doesn’t involve paying out cash? Steve and Steve tackle this one together as Steve W starts to show signs of being a bit under the weather.

One way of bringing down stock-based comp costs is by getting rid of workers. Elon Musk has been doing that. Trouble is, it’s not quite as straightforward as that. With Twitter no longer publicly traded, it’s not like we’re going to buy shares any time soon, but are there important lessons for investors like us to learn?

Lastly, there’s the minor detail of the stock market going UP for a change. Remember when that was all they did? So have they. The latest inflation report from the US is showing an encouraging trend and share prices are responding. But is this just another false dawn, or is the bottom now in with Paul still sitting on his cash?

Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!

Who likes playing mini golf with an Oculus headset on? Find out in this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!

We’ve finally reached 1,000 subscribers! There are so many people to thank. Everyone who’s been on the show, bought us a coffee, bought themselves a hoodie, left us a comment, or even just liked and subscribed. It means an awful lot to all three of us. Thank you all very much,

To celebrate, we’re having a giveaway. Details in the first part of today’s show.

After that, we do something that we almost never do — devote a whole section to discussing Martin Lewis. We normally think highly of his advice on savings accounts, but take a dim view of his comments on investing. But he’s been talking stocks and shares on his TV show, and it’s caught Steve D’s attention. What’s he been saying? And what do we think?

Next it’s Meta Platforms. The stock is down again after earnings and everyone else on YouTube appears to be having a say. Is this another classic trap for people who invest by deliberately writing the wrong numbers into spreadsheets? Or are things better than they seem? Steve W has been having a look and our Meta shareholder is trying to get past the surface news.

And we’re finishing up with interesting things about interest rates. The Bank of England and the Federal Reserve have been hiking again. Higher rates are generally bad news for share prices, but should we be worried, relieved, neither, or both? All three of us have our views on this one.

Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!

How does Steve D feel about whippets and flat caps? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!

We're starting off with the new UK government. Rishi Sunak is in charge now and the FTSE 100 has been going up. Why? Steve W has an idea. From there it’s on to UK stocks and Steve D has been looking at Barclays. Paul has some thoughts on this one. Mostly that he isn’t that interested.

After that, it’s something that Paul *is* interested in. Google’s parent company reported earnings and the Alphabet share price has been tumbling as a result. Was it as bad as all that? And is Google still a strong company with a bright future? All three of us give our views.

Next it’s Microsoft. Paul is effectively short this stock by accident, so the news that it’s going down after reporting strong earnings must be good news to him. But Meta is also down and things weren’t looking bright for Amazon when we recorded this on Wednesday. Is it time to buy the dip?

Lastly, with enough big tech out of the way, it’s Spotify time. The medium-sized tech company reported its results and Steve D has the news. With more users and higher average revenue per user, why is the share price in freewill and why does Steve D (our resident Spotify shareholder) think the business isn’t doing so well?

Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE podcast!

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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!