UK Small/Mid Caps Podcast with Paul Scott

Paul's usual rattle through what we've written about on Stockopedia this week.Quite a few bombshell profit warnings again this week.Terrible market conditions continue, with obvious signs of distressed sellers (instis with redemptions, and capitulating PIs probably).Some lovely bargains presented on a plate to us too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As AIM grinds down to almost half of its 2021 peak, even the usually buoyant Paul is starting to get a bit miffed with this bear market.Not just small caps either, as Mid-caps are now down 10% YTD, and down 30% from the 2021 high.Yet the market is now cheap, and we're getting that confirmed almost daily, with takeover bids, often from the US, private equity or trade buyers.Plus a little rant about people who've annoyed me with their unpleasant & inaccurate comments! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grim market conditions continue for UK small caps, now down c.17% YTD, and down c.47% from the 2021 high.Plenty of bargains, but also plenty of banana skins with some profit warnings this week - telecoms suppliers and building materials seem trouble hotspots. B2B generally is looking an increasing area of concern, but that's why share prices are so low. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I hope this is of interest, some more random stuff about small caps, markets, and macro - egAvoiding profit warnings from highly indebted companies - vital! Check those balance sheets!Will we get political pressure to force central banks back into QE & low rates?PER can be a flawed concept in a downturn.Top-down thoughts - finding sectors with tailwinds, avoiding ones with headwinds?Rising profits from interest on cash piles - but what about the deterioration in the real value of the cash pile?Switching from dead positions into more buoyant ones?AIM mostly rubbish, but a smaller number of lovely companies in there - needles in haystack!Frustration from prices grinding down on no news - do sellers know something? Probably not! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some shock profit warnings this week, especially from Spirent (SPT) and XPP - one has sound finances, the other has an over-geared balance sheet, and now looks in trouble. It's vital to avoid over-stretched balance sheets right now.Also some nice opportunities I think too, with plenty of companies reporting in line. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3 mystery shares this week (for Stockopedia subscribers only!)Another very busy week, with dozens of company updates covered by Paul Scott in this podcast.As always, these are never recommendations, just quick reviews, and personal opinions, so it's vital to always do your own research. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I start off with a recap on my largest personal position, Plexus Holdings (POS).Quite a mixture of interesting companies doing well, eg Warpaint and Fonix Mobile. Plus plenty of awful, high risk things I'm avoiding! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apologies for my absence last weekend, as I was sick with covid. Now mostly recovered, and testing negative, I'm pleased to report! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lots of interesting companies reporting again this week. Paul rattles through dozens of small cap announcements, remember this is completely independent commentary, not PR! Companies cannot buy my opinion, it's not for sale! I just tell the truth as I see it. Also no ads, as your time is important, and I'm not going to try to earn 1p by wasting your time with some horrible annoying ads!Controversial topics this week included the CMA investigation into vets being acquired by corporates, and allegedly price gouging customers. Also does a large political donation by a vaping company's CEO merit attention? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A few profit warnings this week as tougher conditions start to bite in several cyclical sectors. It feels almost random how some bounce after a profit warning, whilst others continue falling. Very frustrating market conditions, with AIM now down 43% from its peak 2 years ago. However, Paul thinks we're over the worst, and relishes all the great value opportunities out there, but it's still a minefield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.