Playing FTSE

This week, we’re joined by podcasting superhero Chris Hill! Chris hosts the daily podcasts at the Motley Fool. Chris reached out to us after we were offering an unsolicited review of the Motley Fool’s new podcast format. Trying not to be too starstruck, we made time to have a sit-down and a chat about his investing life, his career at the Motley Fool, and what he thinks about stocks. Well, two of us did, anyway. The third one, well, you be the judge. Anyway, we had an absolute blast, Chris was an absolute gent from start to finish. He's a terrific story-teller with a real depth of wisdom to share. You do NOT want to miss this one.

In this one we take a look at Amazon and Googles recent stock split announcements. We discuss our theories as to why they're doing this and why we don't think Amazons recent buyback announcement is a departure from their growth focused mindset.

The band are back together for this week's show!    Steve D has this week's game. Paul and Steve W revisit some of their least favourite subjects as we look at how Chamath Palihapitiya's SPACs from before been performing. Most of them are down, two are up -- who will win this time at "U suck at ChaMath II"?    With Paul back on board, we talk about the economic consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As the UK, US, and Australia have committed to banning imports of oil from Russia, we think about what this means for oil demand in the short term and renewable energy further ahead.    Next is the latest from China. Chinese stocks (or their ADR counterparts) have been rallying this week on an announcement from the Chinese regulators. What did it say and what does it mean for investors? Steve W leads us into the subject of VIE structures, Chinese regulation, and the risk associated with investing in China.   Lastly, we're looking at interest rates. As the Bank of England announced an increase in rates to pre-pandemic levels, the FED began increasing rates and reducing its balance sheet. The market took the news well, so what else is coming for the rest of the year?

The Steves discuss their takeaways from the Feroldi interview, take a closer look at the key points and offer their takes on what was we learned from Brian.

Brian Feroldi is on this week's show!   Telling us about companies that grow.  He shared with us thoughts  About things that he's bought  So check out his new book below!   This week's episode is an interview with Motley Fool contractor, growth investor, and now *author* Brian Feroldi! Steve D and Steve W recently sat down with fellow YouTuber Brian Feroldi to hear his stories about how he got into investing, how he thinks about companies to buy, and what his most important lessons to learn about markets are. There's also a quick game of Bri-in or Bri-out on some stocks that might be of interest. Brian was an absolutely superb guest. Sit back, relax, and enjoy. We did.

In this one we take a look at Freetrade's news both good and bad and take a deeper dive into Salesforce Earnings and their venture arm - which will throw up some interesting treats!

-*We had some pretty big technical issues on this one. Steve D's done a super job sticking it back together. This isn't as sharp as we'd like, but thanks in advance for bearing with us.*   What isn't Paul balls-deep in? Find out in this week's PlayingFTSE podcast!    Last week, our show was recorded before the Russian invasion of the Ukraine. So this week, there's only one place to start.    The Russian invasion of the Ukraine shocks, horrifies, and saddens all three of us in equal measure. Thinking about stocks, finances, or anything really, at a time when so many people are suffering so unjustly seems almost absurd. But there's been a lot of discussion around where we are about how we should think about the Russian situation as investors. And while we're all thoughtful, concerned, and saddened, we're also not ducking the question people are asking.  Russian stocks listed on the London Stock Exchange, such as Gazprom and Evraz, have collapsed. Does this represent a buying opportunity? Are the risks too great? Or are there decisive moral reasons to stay away from these stocks? We kick off the show by giving our thoughts.    Next up, Steve W has a game. It's all about Paul. Specifically, it's all about some of the amazing things that he's said in some of his historic videos. As an avid Briscoe follower, Steve W knows many interesting things that Paul has said about many different stocks. The game involves reading out some quotes and having Steve D trying to guess what stock Paul was talking about. Along the way, we'll test out Paul's memory, to see whether he can remember what he was talking about when he said that he didn't understand all the offshoot businesses of... Alibaba? Alphabet? Or Shell? (This is the part where we had some problems with our connections, so thanks for bearing with us).   We're delighted at having Paul back with us for this week's show. So delighted that we've thought of some stocks to pitch to him! And unusually, both Steves have gone for a similar theme. Appropriately, consider Paul isn't balls-deep in RDSB, we've both got semis. And we've both got ones in competition with each other. Steve W has a debt-laden big hitter while Steve D has a high multiple upstart. Stay tuned to the end to find out what they both are!    ------------   Hey, Steve W here. If you'd like to have a look at Genuine Impact for their revenue breakdown charts and a load of other features, too, I've got a link here for you. You'll get 30 days free trial to all Premium features, no card required. Plus, use my link below and we both get an extra 1 month free Premium (worth £3.99)! https://genuineimpactapp.page.link/N4s1

In this one we dive into Life of Keiran's question on our short and long term goals - we look into the immediate future and how that affects our path into the more distant future. No Paul this week - so it's back to Playing FTSESTEVE. For record this was recorded prior to the war in Ukraine, so whilst we try to politically neutral we are not insensitive to what has since developed. 

Just the two of us! Paul's not here this week, so it's the Steves looking after the fort. Who's redefining wealth management in the UK? Find out on this week's PlayingFTSE Show!   We kick things off with a review of our weeks. Someone's been making Steve W an offer he absolutely can refuse. Who is it and what's been going on? Steve updates us.   Steve D has this week's game. It's an idea that Steve W also had, but Steve D's beaten him to it. So enjoy as Steve W tries to figure out who said a number of quotes about investing. PlayingFTSE's chief guru-follower gets off to a rocky start, after a clean sweep last time out. Will he get ANYTHING right this time?   UK news follows, following a rough performance from Hargreaves Lansdown stock after its earnings. The legacy broker is investing in its tech to try and get caught up, but can it succeed? Steve D has the news.   After that, we have a run through the earnings that have been catching our eye this week. Steve W kicks us off with the retail REITs in his portfolio. Both Agree Realty and Realty Income have been reporting lately, with broadly similar results.    Next is Steve D with SAAS company Monday.com, which has had quite the drop lately. Steve gives us his thoughts. The company has been doing pretty well, so what's behind the share price decline?  Then it's back to Steve  W with a SAAS stock of his own! Non-profit platform provider Blackbaud has also had a bit of a dip. Unlike Monday.com the report seems a little uninspiring. Steve W takes us through what's been going on.   Last up, it's the one you've all been waiting for. The Steves talk Teladoc! Earnings are in, Steve D has some views on the guidance and Steve W's in this stock as well now. We talk about this one every quarter, what's changed this time?  Please note this was recorded prior to the invasion of Ukraine, so whilst we try to stay politically neutral we are not insensitive to what has developed since our recording and this is the only reason it is not mentioned. In the absence of such commentary allow us to update you with what we would have said:  "Fuck Putin. Slava Ukraini!"   ----------   Hey, Steve W here. If you'd like to have a look at Genuine Impact for their revenue breakdown charts and a load of other features, too, I've got a link here for you. You'll get 30 days free trial to all Premium features, no card required. Plus, use my link below and we both get an extra 1 month free Premium (worth £3.99)! Worth a go, imo!  https://genuineimpactapp.page.link/N4s1

It's 13F season again! Where seasoned investors have to tell us plebs what they've been doing! In this one we take a look at Burry buying Squibb (wahey!) and Buffett selling Squibb (boo!) as well as taking a look at Stanley Druckenmiller's attempt at making ARK, Josh Tarasoff's latest changes and a small cap we've touted has just popped up in J&J's portfolio...   Apologies this one is a little long - we got a bit carried away!