UK Small/Mid Caps Podcast with Paul Scott

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.

Paul starts by examining Chinese eCommerce company TEMU, and its very aggressive business model, clearly designed to hoover up market share, through heavy subsidies. My mystery shop has recently been air freighted into the UK, both uneconomic and polluting, but all in the name of research.4 positive, and 4 negative things about the UK economy right now.Large and mid-caps have now joined AIM in being significantly down year-to-date. When will the pain end? Does the UK market have structural problems, as well as more competition for funds from cash deposits & fixed interest.House prices are falling heavily in real terms now, but does it matter?Will hydrogen power heavy vehicles in future? Or solid state batteries? Which tech is the one to back? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another really difficult week for UK shares, and not just small caps - FTSE 100 and mid-caps also now well down for the year.Lots of shares to avoid are flagged by Paul, but also some small cap nuggets too getting more & more affordable with each passing week, it seems. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As usual, inflation & interest rates dominate. Also water cos. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

33 companies covered this week, in the Stockopedia Small Cap Value Reports, written by Paul Scott, Graham Neary, and Roland Head. In this week's episode, Paul runs through the good, the bad, and the ugly! We're seeing many minnows run out of runway and being suspended/delisted - maybe it's a good thing to have a clear-out? As usual, we find some gems each week too, for you to have a closer look at. Remember our reviews are not detailed enough to be used for investment decisions, you must do your own research please. Always opinions, never recommendations, Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.