UK Small/Mid Caps Podcast with Paul Scott

Expert in UK small caps, Paul Scott, discusses topics such as weak profitability of Robert Walters, changing opinions on stocks, impact of drop in house prices, investment opportunities, opinions on small-cap stocks, and analyzing potential investments. Also, a discussion on a company's legal dispute and changing views based on latest figures.

Paul's usual weekly recap of the small caps results/trading updates which we wrote about in the Stockopedia Small Cap Value Reports. Plus a few macro/market thoughts, and trying without complete success to avoid politics! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm only doing 1 podcast per week now, as macro stuff takes too long to prepare, and you can find it in lots of other places already.Loads of interesting shares again this week, many defying the macro gloom & doom, and priced attractively cheaply I think. As always, not recommendations or advice, so always do your own research, as I might have missed something. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul took a few days off to enjoy a family holiday in Norfolk, but kept a close eye on the markets nonetheless. So many thanks to Graham and Roland, who did the heavy lifting in this week's Small Cap Value Reports on Stockopedia, Mon-Weds. Loads of companies reporting, as always, we try to sort the wheat from the chaff! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Usual topics discussed, including -Yet more increases in central bank base rates,Orwellian de-banking scandal - we need to check that companies we invest in are not letting ESG matters become excessive & dangerous,Leveraged buyouts avoiding Corp Tax still?Positive US Q2 GDP dataUK energy prices - savings not being passed on to consumersConflicting data on UK consumer sentiment - GfK says it's fallen, PWC says it's rising and near-normal! Who's right?More profit warnings? HEAD, plus 2 in marketing - SFOR and TMG. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A huge number of small caps reporting this week, we covered about 50 in the Small Cap Value Reports! Several profit warnings, as a possibly slowing economy begins to bite in some sectors. But also some nicely performing, good value shares are covered. Rarely have I seen so much value on offer in small caps, so I remain very bullish about the medium term outlook. No idea in the short term of course! One mystery share for Stockopedia subscribers too. Thanks for listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I (Paul Scott) spotted strong profits/order book from Cohort's FY 4/2023 results, reviewed positively in the Stockopedia Small Cap Value Report of 19 July 2023. So I reached out to ask the CEO to do an independent, no fees interview with me. I only interview companies that I genuinely rate highly, as reasonably priced, and do them for general interest, not as a commercial thing.I do not hold a position in Cohort (but am considering one), I am not charging a fee, and this is NOT financial advice or a recommendation, please always do your own research, and don't rely on mine - because some of my share ideas will do well, and others badly. But because I'm not a time-travelling alien, I do not know what the future holds!The purpose of this interview was to get a better understanding of Cohort.See its investor relations website for - FY 4/2023 presentation slide deck. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Main points covered this week -Good news on UK inflation, which dropped more than expected, triggering a nice stock market rally.Supermarkets - Tesco & Sainsbury buying freeholds, highly indebted ASDA & Morrisons selling them!CMA report on supermarkets says they are not profiteering, their operating margin has actually fallen sharply.Ocado - more terrible results, why is it worth £5bn?!Chinese deflation?Scrap IHT? Labour would probably reinstate it anyway, so so threat to IHT AIM strategies looks unlikely.Accenture report says UK business confidence second highest in Europe, after Ireland.10-year Gilt yield falls back from danger level to 4.27%UK consumer confidence sharply down in July.Better than expected retail sales, per ONS.Danger of brand damage from shrinkflation - Andrex - soft, strong? Or very wrong?! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taking a risk here, but Paul fires the starting pistol for a new bull market in UK small caps! (just an opinion remember, could be right or wrong). Valuations are now becoming so attractive, due to many investors pulling out, that opportunities galore are presenting themselves. Hence why I think this is now time to be loading up with decent company shares, at modest valuations. I think sentiment may have now bottomed out, and money could begin flowing back in. Time will tell! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul rattles through trading updates and results from 24 UK smaller companies this week, covered in the Stockopedia Small Cap Value Reports, written by Paul and Graham. As usual, we found some decent companies trading well, and reasonably or cheaply priced. One or two dogs too unfortunately, warning on profits through slipping out big broker downgrades (ZOO And TLY). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.