Who’s spent £130 on Vistry shares? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!

Steve D’s managed the show’s standard performance – between the FTSE 100 and the S&P 500 this week. Steve W, on the other hand…

Earnings season for the S&P 500 is underway with the big banks reporting. And their share prices didn’t react particularly well, but the stocks still look unusually expensive.

By contrast, Visa and Mastercard have fallen back into more familiar P/E territory. So is there a better opportunity there with a short-term distraction on the table?

The Diageo share price has been a disaster for the last couple of years. But as the details of the new CEO’s plan to turn the firm around become clear, Steve W is getting interested.

Selling off some of the company’s non-core holdings could release more cash than you might think. There are, however, still some big challenges still to deal with.

Vistry is a stock both Steves have had a close eye on for 2026. But the stock market’s reaction to its most recent update was not positive at all.

With a big government project on the way, is the dip an opportunity? Or are there still major concerns ahead for investors in the housebuilding sector?

Steve D’s VAT Group has had a great week. A 16% jump puts the stock level with Applied Materials and Lam Research – two of its major customers – since the start of the year.

The AI drive has been fuelling strong demand across the semiconductor equipment industry. And there’s a lot to like about a company that sells components…

Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!

► Get a free fractional 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!

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► Follow Us On Substack:

Sign up for our Substack and get light-hearted, info-packed discussions on everything from market trends and investing psychology to deep dives into different asset classes. We’ll analyze what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.

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► 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!)

► Timestamps:

0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS

5:29 US BANKS

21:48 VAT GROUP

38:32 DIAGEO

54:20 VISTRY

► 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 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.

Where is Botley? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!

Steve W is feeling pretty good about his portfolio – ahead of the S&P 500 and the FTSE 100. But Steve D is feeling even better – new year, new us?

Defence stocks were one of the stock market’s top themes for 2025. But a pair of announcements from Donald Trump caused chaos in share prices on Thursday.

One prohibited dividends and share buybacks, but the other proposed to raise US defence spending to $1.5trn in 2027. Steve W’s been looking at what it means for UK stocks.

Steve D has been taking a closer look at a stock we’ve been interested in before. Nemetschek is the European version of Autodesk – except that it might be better.

A collection of niche software businesses that have been shifting to subscription models might be attractive. It’s in the Eurobox, but is it one to consider buying?

Stocks with a 9% dividend yield rarely come without a catch. In that spirit, Steve W’s been looking at Regional REIT, which might have more going on than it seems at first sight.

Occupancy levels are low and interest costs are set to increase. But the company has plans to turn its portfolio around, so could there be an opportunity on the other side?

We all know the UK’s real Warren Buffett isn’t Terry Smith – it’s Mike Ashley. And he’s been piling into a stock (via derivatives) that Steve D likes the look of.

Grainger is one we’ve talked about before. It’s a REIT with a very nice portfolio, plans to expand, and a knack for filling its properties faster than it can build them…

Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!

► Get a free fractional 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:

Sign up for our Substack and get light-hearted, info-packed discussions on everything from market trends and investing psychology to deep dives into different asset classes. We’ll analyze what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.

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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!)

► Timestamps:

0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS

9:29 DEFENCE ANNOUNCEMENTS

25:40 NEMETSCHEK

47:00 REGIONAL REIT

1:03:19 GRAINGER

► 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 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.

► Get a free fractional 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:

Sign up for our Substack and get light-hearted, info-packed discussions on everything from market trends and investing psychology to deep dives into different asset classes. We’ll analyze what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.

Don't miss out! Sign up today and start your journey with us.

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!)

► Timestamps:

0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS

10:03 BRITBOX AND EUROBOX CHANGES

28:04 REVIEWING PREDICTIONS

48:37 NEW PREDICTIONS

► 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 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.

Whose portfolio has been gold and whose has been meh? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!

Merry Christmas Everyone! We’re actually recording this about a week early, but we’re excited to be sharing the big day with all of you.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. We’re reporting on how our portfolios have done and giving you the satisfaction of pointing out how much better than us you are.

Steve D has had a pretty good year. If you squint, he’s ahead of the S&P 500, but you do have to have had a few by the time this show goes out to let him get away with it.

The big news is that he’s selling out of Alphabet just as Berkshire Hathaway is moving in. But he’s also building a cash pile that looks a lot like Warren Buffett’s, so what’s he up to?

Steve W has not had a good year. To say anything else, you’d have to be blind drunk on the Christmas spirits and even then, that probably wouldn’t be enough to do it.

Bunzl, Diageo, Celebrus, and 3i have been ruining things this year. But is he going to do anything differently next year, or will it just be more of the same and hoping for the best?

The Eurobox has done quite well, mostly because we don’t really know what we’re doing with these stocks. But does that mean we can’t change a winning team?

By contrast, the Britbox has been an interesting mixture of outstanding performers and complete rubbish. The net overall result is… rubbish, so what are we going to do about it?

Only on this Christmas PlayingFTSE Podcast!

► Get a free fractional 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:

Sign up for our Substack and get light-hearted, info-packed discussions on everything from market trends and investing psychology to deep dives into different asset classes. We’ll analyze what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.

Don't miss out! Sign up today and start your journey with us.

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!)

► Timestamps:

0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS

7:31 REVIEWING STEVE D’S PORTFOLIO

30:19 REVIEWING STEVE W’S PORTFOLIO

49:10 EUROBOX & BRITBOX 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 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.

What happens when a roof truss goes into cardiac arrest? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!

With one week to go before Christmas, the Steves have generated the same result. It’s between the FTSE 100 and the S&P 500 and it’s positive… just.

We haven’t looked at Jet2 on the show before, despite it being a stock that several of our UK friends like. But with net cash almost equal to its market cap, is it too good to be true?

Steve W thinks it is. But there are some real reasons to like the stock, including an interesting growth opportunity at Gatwick and a strong reputation with its customers…

Inpost is a company we hadn’t heard of until a couple of years ago. But with lockers springing up all over the UK (as well as Poland) both Steves know it well.

The business model is familiar and straightforward, but a there’s risk of big customers becoming competitors. So what does Steve D think about buying this one for his portfolio?

It’s been a tough year for FTSE 100 distributor Bunzl and it’s finishing with an uninspiring trading report. And the guidance for 2026 involves further margin contraction.

Steve W is invested in this one in a fairly heavy way. So with sales edging higher and ongoing share buybacks, what’s he going to do about it in the new year?

Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast

REVERSE DCF Link

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19wU7cc9w7HK3mhmgUjU9F7113ZmlDZn45vrWOysb7Is/edit?usp=drivesdk

► Get a free fractional 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:

Sign up for our Substack and get light-hearted, info-packed discussions on everything from market trends and investing psychology to deep dives into different asset classes. We’ll analyze what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.

Don't miss out! Sign up today and start your journey with us.

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!)

► Timestamps:

0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS

11:16 JET2

28:00 INPOST

1:03:14 BUNZL

► 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 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.

Happy birthday to who? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!

This show is the one we recorded, but a Cloudflare outage prevented us from airing it when it was originally due. So don’t worry about market performance – just enjoy!

It’s been a while since we looked at Inditex – the parent company of Zara. But Steve D thinks it’s worth coming back to see how things have been going.

After a weak first half of the year, things are starting to pick up. So could this be an opportunity to buy shares in a retailer with an unusually strong position?

Salesforce’s share price has been unusually resilient in a stock market where software firms have been falling. So Steve W’s taking a look at the firm’s latest earnings.

Revenues are up double digits and the outlook seems reasonable. But is this enough to justify a price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 30 in today’s market?

Crowdstrike continues to impress both Steves. It’s a business that’s built for durability in a world that continues to shift towards artificial intelligence, so why haven’t they bought it?

High valuation multiples haven’t really held the stock back before now – the only recent issue has been an operational one. Given this, maybe they ought to get off the sidelines…

Steve W’s enthusiasm for acquisition-driven compounders continues with SDI Group – a small UK stock. It’s down a lot due to cyclical pressures, but could that be an opportunity?

A while ago, we talked about the idea that Judgest Scientific might be getting a bit big. We thought it it was ridiculous, but anyone who disagreed might want to check this one out…

Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!

► Get a free fractional 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:

Sign up for our Substack and get light-hearted, info-packed discussions on everything from market trends and investing psychology to deep dives into different asset classes. We’ll analyze what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.

Don't miss out! Sign up today and start your journey with us.

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!)

► Timestamps:

0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS

8:12 INDITEX

24:37 SALESFORCE

38:22 CROWDSTRIKE

53:28 SDI 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 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.

Who makes a self-destructing phone? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!

There’s nothing good to report from the Ashes, so the Steves are sticking to the stock market this week. Unfortunately, there’s nothing good to report there, either…

Todd Combs isn’t going to be Warren Buffett’s long-term replacement. He’s leaving for a job at J.P. Morgan, but should Berkshire Hathaway shareholders be worried?

Steve W takes a look at what Todd has done, hasn’t done, and might or might not have done to figure this one out. And Steve D has an idea of who might be a good replacement…

Stride is a new stock for the show, but in a familiar industry. It’s involved in online learning and – like another name in the sector – it’s down 54% this year.

Steve D thinks there’s a lot of potential, though. Looking past an operational mishap this year, the firm’s courses come with real accreditations, which might be hard to emulate…

Adobe shares are up following the company’s latest earnings report – but only just. And despite 10% revenue growth, the stock is still well down over the last 12 months.

Strong uptake of AI products is keeping growth strong for the time being. But is this sustainable – and does it make the stock a buy at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 21?

Steve D has been having another look at Synopsys. It’s been a while since we talked about this one, but software for semiconductors has been running very strong recently.

The stock is expensive, but not outrageously so and it’s in a duopoly where both firms manage 80% gross margins. Add in an acquisition and its starts getting interesting…

Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!

► Get a free fractional 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:

Sign up for our Substack and get light-hearted, info-packed discussions on everything from market trends and investing psychology to deep dives into different asset classes. We’ll analyze what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.

Don't miss out! Sign up today and start your journey with us.

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!)

► Timestamps:

0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS

7:03 TODD’S TODDLING OFF

21:37 STRIDE

42:33 ADOBE

56:24 SYNOPSYS

► 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 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.

How many runs are England going to lose the next Test by? Find out on this week’s PlayingFTSE Show!

Both Steves have been doing well this week in the stock market. But the S&P 500 has been ahead of both of them – just...

Compass Group is a stock we liked very much when we looked at it earlier this year, but we thought it was expensive. It’s fallen since then, though, and the growth keeps coming.

The big question for investors is how far organic sales growth rates are going to fall. Management thinks it might not be much further, though, so how’s it looking now?

The big news this week was the UK Autumn Budget. There was a lot speculated before the event, but Steve D has the details of what actually happened on the day.

Steve W’s been looking at some stocks that responded positively, but he’s not convinced they were the real winners. And that includes one from his own portfolio…

Smiths Group is a FTSE 100 industrial conglomerate (this one’s not a travel retail business). And Steve W’s been steering around it for some time now.

That’s changed in the last week or so, though. But while an activist investor is trying to unlock value, is there a chance to buy the stock at a bargain valuation?

Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!

► Get a free fractional 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:

Sign up for our Substack and get light-hearted, info-packed discussions on everything from market trends and investing psychology to deep dives into different asset classes. We’ll analyze what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.

Don't miss out! Sign up today and start your journey with us.

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!)

► Timestamps:

0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS

9:08 COMPASS GROUP

21:36 THE BUDGET

48:35 SMITHS 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 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.