Playing FTSE

Meta, Visa & Steve Gets SAAS-y

Playing FTSE

Show Notes

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Both Steves are between the indices this week. But we’re doing something a bit different with the return (for one week only) of our games.

SAAS companies have been falling lately and we’ve been (mostly) paying attention. So Steve D has a quiz about how far they are from their highs.

See how you get on at home. A point if you can get closer than Steve W, he scores one if you’re further away – can you win at this game?

It’s time for a closer look at Mastercard and Visa. They’re a value investor’s worst nightmare – outstanding businesses that are never cheap but keep on outperforming.

Steve D’s been checking out both. And he’s having a closer look at whether buying today might be something that he looks back on positively in 2028.

Meta Platforms saw its share price rise after Q4 earnings. But the big question for investors is why – the firm is set to ramp up its capital expenditures in a big way in 2026.

Steve W thinks a more positive tone from the CEO might be part of the story. And at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of around 21 going forward, it’s relatively cheap…

We’ve not been looking at Stride for very long, but Steve D is off to a cracking start with the stock. A huge lift after earnings means it’s time to reassess the thesis.

AI has been a major disruptor for the SAAS space in the last few months. But could Stride’s ability to get people jobs be invaluable in an unemployment-driven recession?

3i has been one of the FTSE 100’s leading lights over the last 10 years. And the stock is recovering from a crash a few months ago, but the company is doing… ok.

Action’s like-for-like sales remain a bit of a challenge, especially in France. But with two new countries to expand into, is there still enough growth to justify a big multiple?

Only on this week’s PlayingFTSE Podcast!

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► Timestamps:

0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS 7:27 GETTING SAASY QUIZ 18:40 MASTERCARD & VISA 35:43 META 49:23 STRIDE 1:01:17 3I (ACTION)

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