Playing FTSE

• ASML, Ashtead, Wise & Lots of UK Changes Coming!

  What does Trading212’s AI think both Steves are missing from their portfolios? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!It’s been a volatile week in the stock market with a lot of big ups and downs. And the Steves have had differing results this time out.Rachel Reeves delivered her Mansion House speech this week and it caught Steve W’s attention. In particular, the Leeds Reforms are looking to get the UK stock market moving.Overall, more people considering Stocks and Shares ISAs would seem to be a win-win-win. But there’s a big question about what the education around this is going to look like…Ashtead Technology shares have fallen sharply and it’s not hard to see why. A difficult market for subsea rental equipment has resulted in sales going backwards.The bottom line, though, is holding up well and there’s a strong management team in place that’s been there since the start. Is that enough to put the stock on Steve’s buy list?Wise’s latest trading update was a mixed bag, with revenues up 14% (adjusting for currency fluctuations). But the stock market didn’t love it and the shares fell as a result.The growth was short of expectations and interest income grew faster than transaction revenues. But with where the company could be, the stock looks attractive to Steve W.Shares in ASML fell this week after the company failed to confirm growth for 2026. But the overall results were more than reasonable. A strong order book also indicates a good position for the medium term. Steve D owns the stock in his portfolio, but it’s already a large position – is there scope to buy more?Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!► Get a free share!This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE. Terms apply.When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.► Get 15% OFF Fiscal.ai:Huge thanks to our sponsor, Fiscal.ai, the best investing toolkit we've discovered! Get 15% off your subscription with code below and unlock powerful tools to analyze stocks, discover hidden gems, and build income streams. Check them out at Fiscal.ai!https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve► Follow Us On Substack:https://playingftse.substack.com/► 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...► Timestamps:0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS10:21 MANSION HOUSE SPEECH28:50 ASHTEAD TECH40:38 WISE53:28 ASML► 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.

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• Construction, Technology & Fundsmith Underperforms Again

  Who has to try and figure out what to do in the mornings? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!Another week, another outperformance for one Steve. And the other one hasn’t done bad, either…Terry Smith – known to some as Britain’s Warren Buffett – has released his shareholder letter for the first half of 2025. And the Fundsmith Equity Fund has been losing money.Chief among the detractors is Novo Nordisk, which has been sold to make way for EssilorLuxottica. But the stocks catching Steve W’s attention are Meta and Microsoft…FTSE 250 housebuilder Vistry reported earnings this week and the numbers are… not great. But Steve D has some news that has put the stock firmly on Steve W’s list of stocks to buy.The investigation from the CMA looks like it’s all but settled. And with the stock having gone nowhere ahead of a £39bn government package, is the opportunity too good to miss?Investors might wonder why shares in Celebrus Technologies jumped 15% this week after earnings. Revenues are set to fall and earnings are going negative in 2026.That, though, is almost entirely the result of a change in revenue recognition. Steve W thinks a closer look reveals a company that’s doing just fine – and a stock at a decent price.Steve D has been reverting to type with a South American stock with a name that’s difficult to spell. But Tecnoglass is traded on the US exchanges and it looks very interesting.With competitive strengths ranging from low costs (due to vertical integration) to a unique product (due to patents) it’s in a strong position. And of course, a balance sheet to match.Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!► Get a free share!This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE. Terms apply.When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.► Get 15% OFF Fiscal.ai:Huge thanks to our sponsor, Fiscal.ai, the best investing toolkit we've discovered! Get 15% off your subscription with code below and unlock powerful tools to analyze stocks, discover hidden gems, and build income streams. Check them out at Fiscal.ai!https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve► Follow Us On Substack:https://playingftse.substack.com/► 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...► Timestamps:0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS5:31 TERRY SMITH21:01 VISTRY CHECK IN38:15 CELEBRUS51:34 TECNOGLASS► 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.

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• We're Making Changes! Plus Astrazeneca & Baltic Classified

  Which hole has Steve D been shoving money down? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!The Steves are on a roll right now – both are ahead of the FTSE 100 and the S&P 500. And there’s one stock in particular that’s been doing it for both of them over the last seven days…Greggs shares have had another appalling week, this time due to the weather being too hot. But does that change anything about what the Steves are planning on doing with the Britbox?The FTSE 250 stock had been on the list to buy before the latest decline. But there’s also another new name that’s joining the ranks from Steve D…In terms of European shares to buy there’s one big name that stands out. It’s LVMH which – as of last week – both Steves have ownership stakes in. Making way is spirits company Pernod Ricard and GLP-1 firm Novo Nordisk. But Steve D has an eye on another name from a different sector to add to the portfolio…AstraZeneca is the latest name rumoured to be leaving the FTSE 100 for the US. But Steve W isn’t buying it – the stock or the story. Healthcare has been the worst-performing S&P 500 sector over the last 12 months. And with RFK Jr. as Health Minister, is that really where a pharmaceuticals firm wants to be?Anyone wanting a house, cars, or basically anything in the Baltic region realistically only has one place to look. It’s Baltic Classifieds – which is obviously a member of the FTSE 250. The company has a nice business model and a very strong market position. And with the stock down almost 10% in  day, could it be one to consider buying?Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!► Get a free share!This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE. Terms apply.When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.► Get 15% OFF Fiscal.ai:Huge thanks to our sponsor, Fiscal.ai, the best investing toolkit we've discovered! Get 15% off your subscription with code below and unlock powerful tools to analyze stocks, discover hidden gems, and build income streams. Check them out at Fiscal.ai!https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve► Follow Us On Substack:https://playingftse.substack.com/► 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...► Timestamps:0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS6:55 BRITBOX CHANGES24:58 EUROBOX CHANGES35:32 ASTRAZENECA TO LEAVE UK STOCK MARKET49:51 BALTIC CLASSIFIEDS GROUP► 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.

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• Reviewing Our Portfolios + Britbox & Eurobox Updates!

  Who’s been selling their Southern Copper shares? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!It’s the end of Q2, so it’s time to check back in on portfolios. That means Steve D, Steve W, the Britbox, and the Eurobox, but who’s been outperforming what?Steve D was having a quiet time of things in Q2. But then that all changed later on in the piece. With over £2,000 in cash, is Thermo Fisher Scientific on the buy list? Or are there better opportunities to add to his existing investments?Steve W’s Q2 got off to a roaring start on the buying front as Liberation Day crashed the stock market. But most of his buying has been in one particular FTSE 100 stock. It’s been a FTSE 250 name, though, that has been keeping his portfolio afloat for the last six months. And with share prices recovering, he’s got an eye on a sell…The Britbox has had a mixed few months. And there have been a few high-profile fallers that have been putting pressure on the overall portfolio.The big question is what to do about it, which gives the Steves a question. With a lot of ideas about stocks to buy, what should they sell to make way?The Eurobox has made a roaring start to life. Strong performances from Dino Polska and Euronext have caused the overall portfolio to climb.Steve W has a few names in mind for potential additions. But a handful of Swedish conglomerates are out of the question for an unusual reason…Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!► Get a free share!This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE. Terms apply.When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.► Get 15% OFF Fiscal.ai:Huge thanks to our sponsor, Fiscal.ai, the best investing toolkit we've discovered! Get 15% off your subscription with code below and unlock powerful tools to analyze stocks, discover hidden gems, and build income streams. Check them out at Fiscal.ai!https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve► Follow Us On Substack:https://playingftse.substack.com/► 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...► Timestamps:0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS4:27 STEVE D’S PORTFOLIO23:29 STEVE W PORTFOLIO40:27 BRITBOX UPDATE52:52 EUROBOX UPDATE► 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.

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• 4 Lesser Known UK Stocks

  Who’s got wood? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!Both Steves are up ahead of the market again this week, extending an impressive run. But who were the real winners over the last seven days?As FTSE 250 stocks go, XPS Pensions has been an outstanding performer over the last five years. And the future doesn’t look bad either. A strong competitive position in an industry where shifting regulation should mean steady demand is a very good thing. And there’s a share buyback to consider, as well…FTSE 100 events company Informa has caught Steve W’s eye. He’s not going to World of Concrete and doesn’t know anyone who is, but there might be money in running it.Attractive economics and a resilient business are big plus points. On the other hand, an acquisition at over 20 times adjusted EBITDA means there’s some risk with the stock.Ashtead is making its way from the UK to the US, but shares didn’t get the boost investors might have hoped for. Probably because it also came with a profit warning.Despite a cyclical downturn, the stock seems like decent value. Steve D, however, thinks taking a closer look reveals a different picture of the relatively attractive multiple.Renew is an uninteresting business in an uninteresting industry. Sometimes, though, these boring stocks can generate some impressive returns for investors. Rail maintenance work has unironically been delayed and this is weighing on growth. But with maintenance work non-negotiable, it might just be a case of being patient.Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!► Get a free share!This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE. Terms apply.When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.► Get 15% OFF Finchat.io:Huge thanks to our sponsor, FinChat.io, the best investing toolkit we've discovered! Get 15% off your subscription with code below and unlock powerful tools to analyze stocks, discover hidden gems, and build income streams. Check them out at FinChat.io!https://finchat.io/playingftse/?lmref=iQl2VQ► Follow Us On Substack:https://playingftse.substack.com/► 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...► Timestamps:0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS6:22 XPS Pensions19:23 Informa35:26 Ashtead Group49:40 Renew Holdings► 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.

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