Shows
Small Investor ToolboxInvestment research and picking growth companiesEpisode notes
The theme of this week's podcast is company research. Getting hold of good research isn't always easy, but maybe this week's resource recommendation will help. Then again, finding research is only half the battle. Understanding it, and knowing its limitations, is even more important.
Allan's thought for the week
This week Allan considers the limits of doing your own research. There are limits to what we can know and what we can understand. Sometimes all you can do is go with your gut or take a punt on advice from other...2025-07-2820 minSmall Investor ToolboxDiversification, insurance, and beginner investingEpisode notes
In this week's podcast Allan shares a resource to help with future diversification, an article discussing the insurance industry, and an investing intro podcast worth bookmarking to share with future newbies.
Allan's update
In a week where the FTSE 100 hits fresh highs of over 9000 Allan discusses how to cope when your own, painstakingly planned, portfolio actually goes down.
Resource of the week
"If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!"
Allan hopes you are all following IG Groups save our stock market campaign, and doing everything...2025-07-2116 minSmall Investor ToolboxBetter decision making and good news for professional servicesEpisode notes
Despite suffering through yet another London heatwave Allan forces himself to his desk to share with you the things he's found that interested him this week.
Allan's update
Allan considers his recent supermarket shopping experiences and what they tell him about the practicalities behind brand loyalty and economic motes.
Resource of the week
To be a good investor, you have to know how to make good decisions, even if the decision is to do nothing. This week's resource is a book that aims to help develop your...2025-07-1420 minSmall Investor ToolboxUnderstanding the financial markets, quarterly reviews, and business strategyEpisode notes
In this week's episode Allan reviews a fun little book, shares an interesting interview, and recommends a podcast that discusses the fall of a once mighty national D.I.Y. chain.
Allan's update
Allan shared his practise of conducting quarterly reviews, and how he implements a big picture review of his portfolio every 3 months.
His approach is based on the work of the personal development guru, Michael Heppell. If you want to know more about Michael then checkout his website, michaelheppell.com
If you want to know...2025-07-0719 minSmall Investor ToolboxMarket disruptions and the future of the London Stock ExchangeEpisode notes
In this week's podcast Allan considers the pros and cons of market volatility and market disruptors.
Allan's update
Constant news, and the resulting volatility in share prices, is great if you are a trader, or even a short term, in/out kind of investor. But if you are a buy and hold investor then it is incredibly stressful, particularly just after you've made a purchase.
Resource of the week
The Squeeze newsletter
This recommendation was inspired by this week's issue,
A new boost for cash-rich...2025-06-3016 minSmall Investor ToolboxPortfolio structure and dark times aheadEpisode notes
This week's episode is slightly shorter than usual because Allan has been on holiday. Fortunately, it still contains a resource, article, and podcast recommendation that are well worth your time.
Allan's update
Holidays are a time for switching off and leaving the daily grind behind. But can you ever really switch off from your portfolio? And would you want to?
Resource of the week
This podcast is mainly focussed on the trials and tribulations of the stock picker. However, there are many financial advisors and investment gurus...2025-06-2315 minSmall Investor ToolboxTakeover talk, stock screening, and the usefulness of aphorismsEpisode notes
In this week's episode Allan reviews a book on stock screening, an article on a well-known stock market aphorism, and a podcast interview with the UK manager of Pret A Manger.
Allan's update
This week Allan has been trimming some fat in his portfolio while pondering what to do about his H&T shares.
Resource of the week
Despite all the concerning headlines regarding the hollowing out of the London stock market there are still around 1500 companies for investors to choose from. If you start looking overseas...2025-06-1619 minSmall Investor ToolboxThe value of good dataEpisode notes
In this week's episode Allan shares a resource to turbo-charge your company research, an article that provides a bit of perspective on investing in the first quarter of the 21st century, and a fascinating podcast on the mining industry.
Allan's update
This week Allan has been considering the more practical approach to investing that involves getting to know the product, being a customer, and essentially investing in what you know. As part of his own research he has been looking at IG Group [lse: IGG] and CMC Markets [lse: CMCX], 2 incredibly...2025-06-0920 minSmall Investor ToolboxJargon busting and business failuresEpisode notes
In this week's episode Allan shares a useful little directory, an article on cyber security, and a podcast charting the rise and fall of a former high street stalwart.
Allan's update
Since it has been a quiet week for Allan's portfolio he wonders why it remains impossible to keep up with all the research. There's always too much to read, watch, or listen to.
Resource of the week
This weeks resource recommendation is the A-Z of business and financial abbreviations.
It is produced by the...2025-06-0219 minSmall Investor ToolboxFoolish investingEpisode notes
In this week's podcast Allan shares a resource that should be on every investor's radar. He also recommends a great article about company analysis and a podcast that taught him all about Spacs.
Allan's update
In his search for a potential replacement for his H&T investment Allan took a fresh look at his watchlist. He was shocked by how large it had got, and pruning turns out to be harder than it seems.
Resource of the week
The Motley Fool
You can find the...2025-05-2619 minSmall Investor ToolboxA podcast refreshEpisode notes
This week Allan introduces a new format for the podcast.
Allan's update
A takeover offer has left Allan's portfolio looking pretty good, but he still manages to find the downside.
Resource of the week
This week Allan recommends you take a look at VOX MARKETS. They have a podcast, a youtube channel, and a very comprehensive website.
For more information visit the site
Article of the week
This week's article of the week comes from startups.co.uk. It looks at...2025-05-1915 minSmall Investor ToolboxCompany presentations, webinars, and Zoom callsEpisode notes
Thanks to modern technology it is easier than ever for companies to interact with their shareholders. Some managers are super keen and it sometimes feels like they are never off the airwaves. Others or a touch more shy, but even they hold regular webinars, online meetings, and Zoom calls following important announcements, such as the release of annual results. In this week's podcast Allan considers the value of these communications, the pros and cons of allocating time to them, and recommends some of the places where they can be found.
Episode links
2025-05-1212 minSmall Investor ToolboxUnderstanding annual reports and where to find themEpisode notes
Following last week's discussion of RNS announcements, this week Allan takes a brief look at annual reports.
Every company has to produce them, and they are often large, fairly daunting offerings. Allan asks what they are, where they can be found, and whether they are worth small investors' valuable time.
The IC guide to company annual reports, by Phil Oakley, can be found here.
Music
Bossa Antigua Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Support
2025-05-0513 minSmall Investor ToolboxRNS announcements - what they are and where to get themEpisode notes
Most sources of news offer something for every kind of investor. Reading The Investors Chronicle is worthwhile for fund investors, ETF investors, day traders, and simply the market curious. But if you are primarily focussed on buying and selling individual company shares over the long term, then it is really useful to follow company announcements directly.
In this episode Allan looks at company announcements. He explains what they are, and reviews a couple of the best ways to find them.
To read about the history of the LSE Group's RNS service...2025-04-2815 minSmall Investor ToolboxHow to read the financial pagesEpisode notes
While it is important to find the most appropriate sources of news and current affairs, you will still be wasting your time if you barely understand what you read, watch, or listen to. In this week's podcast Allan reviews a book that holds the promise of helping you not fall into this trap.
To find out more about the book, How To Read The Financial Pages, click here
To find out more about the podcast head on over to smallinvestortoolbox.com, though please don't expect too much as yet because I...2025-04-2116 minSmall Investor ToolboxWhy I love MONEYWEEK magazineEpisode notes
Allan continues his discussion of sources of news and current affairs of use to the small investor. This week's topic is the magazine MONEYWEEK. Spoiler alert: he is a big fan.
To find out more about the magazine click here
To find out more about the podcast head on over to smallinvestortoolbox.com, though please don't expect too much as yet because I am still working on it.
Music
Bossa Antigua Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/2025-04-1421 minSmall Investor ToolboxMy favourite investing magazineEpisode notes
Following a quick market update, Allan discusses The Investors Chronicle and explains why it is his go to investing magazine. Along with the print magazine comes a dedicated cross-platform app and a substantial website packed with useful resources.
To find out more visit The Investors Chronicle website at investorschronicle.co.uk
Music
Bossa Antigua Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Support Small Investor Toolbox by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/small-investor-toolbox
2025-04-0715 minSmall Investor ToolboxSources of news and current affairs for the small investorEpisode Notes
Small investors need to stay informed about news and current affairs affecting the business landscape. But with limited time, it is important to find the best sources of business news, then consume only what you need so that you leave yourself enough time to research actual investments.
In today's show I examine 3 sources of news that I use, their pros and cons, and why they have a place in my toolbox.
Music
Bossa Antigua Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses...2025-03-3116 minSmall Investor ToolboxSmall investor toolbox trailerEpisode Notes
Welcome to the Small Investor Toolbox podcast.
Music
Bossa Antigua Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/2025-03-2503 min