In this episode, Are We Losing Control of AI Agents? I Ask Gemini

Also we unpack why bond yields demanded everyone’s attention through September and what the latest movements across major indices and commodities mean for small-cap investors heading into the final quarter.

We break down the standout performers and hardest-hit fallers on the Sharepickers platform this week, dive deep into Greggs plc (#GRG) following their resilient Q3 trading update, and wrap up with a thought-provoking AI thought experiment: How can humans maintain control over AI agents once they surpass human intelligence?

What’s in This Episode:

• Macro Round-Up: Why September’s bond yield dynamics continue to drive equity valuations, plus a look at indices and commodities.

• Top Movers on Sharepickers.com:
  
  

  • Risers: Likewise Group (#LIKE), EnSilica (#ENSI), Filtronic (#FTC), Synectics (#SNX)

  • Fallers: eEnergy Group (#EAAS), XP Factory (#XPF), Seeing Machines (#SEE)

• Stock in Focus — Greggs (#GRG): An in-depth review of Q3 results, 7.7% sales growth, 57 net new openings, supply chain investments, and upgraded guidance.

• Gemini Chat: AI governance, alignment, and keeping superintelligent autonomous agents accountable.

About The SharePickers Investment Club

The SharePickers Investment Club employs a systematic method to uncover small, profitable companies listed on the London Stock Exchange. Each company undergoes comprehensive analysis against 15 crucial financial metrics to bypass market noise and spotlight fundamentally sound growth.

Visit: www.sharepickers.com

Disclaimer: Nothing in this podcast or anything associated with Sharepickers.com should be regarded as investment advice. It is for information purposes only. Please do your own research and/or seek the advice of an FCA-regulated financial advisor.

In this episode of Macro, Micro and Small Cap News, we explore why there may only be two ways the current AI boom plays out—and why a 2000-style dot-com market crash might actually be the less damaging outcome.

We examine the growing systemic vulnerabilities surrounding autonomous AI agents, energy security, and grid resilience, alongside three urgent red flags signaling that the AI infrastructure bubble may be cracking under debt and speculative pressure:

• CoreWeave’s Bond Slump: A $40B market cap sitting on $30B of net debt, secondary bond yields spiking toward 15%, and the systemic risk of financing short-lived GPU hardware with high-yield debt.

• Pulled AI IPOs: Weak investor demand forcing listings like Firmus ($5B), AirTrunk REIT, and SB Energy to be shelved or paused.

• Asian Semiconductor Plunge: The KOSPI sliding 8% and triggering circuit breakers as SK Hynix and Samsung slump on fears of hyperscaler capex cuts.

• Why the Budget Bank Tax Favors Funding Circle (#FCH): How proposed tax hikes on high-street clearing banks force legacy lenders to retreat from SME financing, driving prime small business borrowers toward capital-light, levy-exempt platforms.

• Weekly Market Movers: A review of this week’s top risers and fallers across the London market, including Corero Network Security (#CNS), LBG Media (#LBG), TPXimpact (#TPX), ActiveOps (#AOM), Filtronic (#FTC), and EnSilica (#ENSI).

Plus our regular check on key macro indices, bonds, and commodities.

Disclaimer: Information purposes only, not investment advice. Please conduct your own research or consult an FCA-regulated financial adviser.

TO JOIN THE SHAREPICKERS INVESTMENT CLUB VISIT: www.sharepickers.com

Keep an Eye on Bond Yields plus 3 Stocks Worth Watching

Macro, Micro and Small Cap News | Saturday 26th September 2026

In this week's episode, we break down why rising benchmark US government bond yields are ringing alarm bells across financial markets. As bond prices fall and yields march higher, governments face escalating debt service costs—setting off a potential debt spiral that directly impacts equity valuations. We explore what happens when the Equity Risk Premium approaches zero, why pension funds might rotate out of risk assets into guaranteed yields, and how long current AI-driven earnings growth can absorb the pressure.

We also share quick boots-on-the-ground observations from recent travels across Chicago, Nashville, and Miami, followed by in-depth fundamental looks at three companies:

• Funding Circle (#FCH): Why the market overreacted to CEO Lisa Jacobs’ planned handover for September 2027, the strength of their interim results, and the growth trajectory of FlexiPay and business credit cards.

• Everplay (#EVPL): Exceptional H2 momentum driven by standout sales from Wardogs (3.24M units) and Hell Let Loose: Vietnam (~400k), plus the upcoming pipeline.

• Fonix (#FNX): A pristine balance sheet, a near-6% dividend yield, and international expansion plays set to scale revenue over the next 3–5 years.

Plus, our regular rundown of indices, commodities, and the top three risers and fallers of the week.

About The SharePickers Investment Club:

The SharePickers Investment Club employs a unique, systematic method to uncover small, profitable companies on the London Stock Exchange. Each potential investment undergoes comprehensive analysis evaluated against 15 crucial financial metrics, bypassing hype and focusing strictly on fundamentals.

Learn more at www.sharepickers.com.

Disclaimer: Nothing in this podcast or associated with Sharepickers.com should be regarded as investment advice. It is for informational purposes only. Always do your own research and/or consult an FCA-regulated financial advisor.

In this episode, we deep-dive into a hidden gem in the UK tech sector: Intercede Group (#IGP). While the broader software space faces budget cuts, high-assurance digital identity is seeing massive, non-discretionary spending. I break down 6 reasons why Intercede is a screaming buy—ranging from its sovereign-grade client base and first-mover quantum advantage to its double-digit compounding projections trading at dirt-cheap forward multiples.

We also cover key updates on Funding Circle (#FCH) and how El Niño is shifting macro landscapes for soft commodities, alongside our weekly roundup of the markets and microcap winners and losers.

Markets Covered:

• Indices

• Best and Worst Small & Microcap Performers This Week

• Ramsdens (#RFX)

• Funding Circle (#FCH)

• Intercede (#IGP)

• WisdomTree Cocoa (#COCO)

• WisdomTree Coffee (#COFF)

• WisdomTree Sugar (#SUGA)

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Get full access to the SharePickers Investment Club for just £149 (normally £249) using code: POD40 at checkout.

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How to Become a MicroCap Millionaire - A 3 Step Strategy for Stock Market Success is on sale now: 👉 Get the Book Here

Review the Book & Lock In £149 Membership Forever: If you buy the book, leave a 5-star rating, and write a positive review, you can claim your yearly membership to the SharePickers Investment Club for just £149!

That's just £2.88 a week—which is less than:

• Half a pint of beer

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🏆 About The SharePickers Investment Club & MicroCap League

We employ a unique, systematic method to uncover small, profitable companies on the London Stock Exchange. Each potential investment undergoes a comprehensive analysis against 15 crucial financial metrics to bypass the hype and focus strictly on quantitative facts.

The highest-scoring companies are added to the MicroCap League—the UK's first league table where hundreds of small businesses are scored on Growth, Value, Health, Efficiency, Momentum, and Potential to pinpoint the best risk/reward profiles.

Support the Show: If you regularly listen and value this content, please consider paying it forward by leaving us a 5-star rating and a quick review on your podcast app. Thank you for listening!

In this episode of Macro, Micro and Small Cap News, we take a deep dive into UK market liquidity and outline a macro plan to fix wealth inequality while jump-starting domestic enterprise. Inspired by U.S. capital participation and newborn account models, we present a 10-point proposal to transform the Junior ISA (JISA) into a public-private wealth engine. Plus, an extended summer discount and three UK stocks worth adding to your watchlist.

Key Topics Covered:

• Summer Discount Extension: Explaining the difference between meteorological and astronomical summer, plus an extension on the POD40 discount code (40% off Sharepickers Investment Club through August 31st).

• A Macro Story — Rebooting the UK Market:
  
  

  • US vs. UK Market Culture: Why 60% of Americans invest in stocks versus only 35% in the UK, and how U.S. capital powerhouse status creates a virtuous liquidity cycle.

  • The Upgraded JISA Proposal: Seeding every UK newborn with £1,000, allowing tax-deductible matching for donors/corporations, and requiring a mandatory 50% allocation to low-cost UK equity index funds.

  • The Growth Math: How £1,000 at 7.5% annual return grows to £3,676 by age 18, or £14,800+ with modest £25/month family top-ups.

  • 10 Economic Benefits: Igniting practical childhood financial literacy, re-energising domestic listed companies, banishing active fund fees, and creating a share-owning democracy.

  • Parliamentary Petition: Feedback call on bringing this proposal to Parliament.

• 3 Stocks Worth Researching:
  
  
  • The Property Franchise Group (#TPFG)
• 
  
  • S4 Capital (#SFOR)
• 
  
  • WINVIA (#WVIA)
    
    

Rght now you can get 40% off the Sharepickers Investment club with our SPECIAL SUMMER 40% OFF CODE.

This code expires on 31st August 2026

To take advantage visit Sharepickers dot com, scroll down and use this code where you see the label, “Have a Coupon”

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In this episode of Macro, Micro and Small Cap News, we dissect Nvidia's latest earnings and break down why the massive AI capex cycle could lead to sharp earnings revisions by 2027–2028.

PLUS Turning to UK equities, we evaluate two growth-focused small caps: AdvancedAdvT (ADVT), led by Vin Murria OBE with a substantial cash pile and a 22.33% combined stake in M&C Saatchi; and Brave Bison (BBSN), detailing their ongoing bid for System1 (SYS1), strong organic momentum, and a 104% year-over-year revenue increase in recent interim results.

Special Summer Offer: Get 40% off your annual Sharepickers Investment Club membership (down from £249 to £149). Use coupon code POD40 at checkout on Sharepickers.com before midnight on August 31, 2026.

Key Topics Covered:

• Macro Deep Dive: The 5 Catalysts Threatening the AI Boom

• The 10:1 revenue gap between capex buildout and real software spend.

• Circular financing, private credit, and chip collateral risks.

• CommoditiSation of models ("cheap intelligence") and electric grid bottlenecks.

• The multi-year depreciation lag: Why hyperscalers (Meta, Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft) are turning into capital-intensive infrastructure utilities.

• Macro & Indices:

• UK Small-Cap Stock Research:
  
  

  • AdvancedAdvT (LON: #ADVT): Serial entrepreneur Vin Murria OBE’s proven buy-and-build playbook, £96m+ net cash, and the strategic cross-holding in M&C Saatchi (LON: #SAA).

  • Brave Bison (AIM: #BBSN): The high-stakes 28% cornerstone stake in System1 (AIM: #SYS1), disciplined M&A execution, and interim financial highlights (+104% revenue growth).

***** About The SharePickers Investment Club *****

The SharePickers Investment Club employs a unique, systematic method to uncover small, profitable companies on the London Stock Exchange.

Each potential investment undergoes comprehensive analysis and is evaluated against 15 crucial financial metrics.

This fact-based, quantitative approach allows us to pinpoint high-potential growth businesses and deliver consistent results, bypassing the hype and focusing on the numbers.

Please visit www.sharepickers.com

NOTHING IN THIS VIDEO OR ANYTHING ASSOCIATED WITH SHAREPICKERS.COM SHOULD BE REGARDED AS INVESTMENT ADVICE. IT IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY.PLEASE DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH AND / OR SEEK THE ADVICE OF AN FCA REGULATED FINANCIAL ADVISOR.

In this episode of Macro, Micro and Small Cap News, we examine historical September market weakness alongside a convergence of macroeconomic headwinds—from spiking sovereign bond yields to persistent inflation pressures and the spector of stagflation. We also look at Vanguard’s ultra-low-cost global ETF launch and dive into the operational turnaround at UK small-cap lender Funding Circle ahead of its interim results.

Vanguard’s Disruptive Launch:

• Vanguard FTSE Global All-Cap UCITS ETF (VALL): Offering exposure to ~10,100 stocks across 48 markets with an Ongoing Charges Figure (OCF) of just 0.07%—less than a third of the classic index fund’s 0.23%. Assets under management have surged from under $50m at launch to $645m in just two weeks.

• 1. September Seasonality & The Correlation Trap:
  
  

  • The S&P 500 averages -1.1% in September with a win rate of only ~45% since 1928, marked by asymmetric tail-risk downside.

  • High long-term correlation between the S&P 500 and UK indices (+0.60 to +0.80 with the FTSE 100; +0.50 to +0.70 with the FTSE 250) means US turbulence spills directly into UK portfolios.

• 2. The Sovereign Bond Sell-Off & Collapsing Equity Risk Premium:
  
  

  • Benchmark 10-year yields across the US, UK, and Europe sit near pre-2008 highs, driven by heavy debt issuance, quantitative tightening, and revived term premiums.

  • Higher risk-free rates pull capital from equities into fixed income and compress the Equity Risk Premium below 100 bps.

• 3. Sticky Inflation & The Stagflation Dilemma:
  
  

  • Persistent services inflation and European natural gas spikes limit central banks’ flexibility.

  • If rising yields curb growth while inflation holds firm, markets face a stagflation bind—exposing an economy where AI capex has generated roughly three-quarters of early 2026 US GDP growth.

• Funding Circle (LSE: FCH):
  
  

  • Strong HY 2026 trading update ahead of full interims on September 8: revenue up 50% to ~£138m, profit before tax surging to ~£23m, and an unrestricted cash balance of £136m.

  • High cash generation from the core Term Loans segment funding rapid 71% transaction growth in FlexiPay and Card, alongside ongoing capital returns via a £25m share buyback program.

***** About The SharePickers Investment Club *****

The SharePickers Investment Club employs a unique, systematic method to uncover small, profitable companies on the London Stock Exchange.

Each potential investment undergoes comprehensive analysis and is evaluated against 15 crucial financial metrics.

This fact-based, quantitative approach allows us to pinpoint high-potential growth businesses and deliver consistent results, bypassing the hype and focusing on the numbers.

Please visit www.sharepickers.com

NOTHING IN THIS PODCAST OR ANYTHING ASSOCIATED WITH SHAREPICKERS.COM SHOULD BE REGARDED AS INVESTMENT ADVICE. IT IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY.PLEASE DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH AND / OR SEEK THE ADVICE OF AN FCA REGULATED FINANCIAL ADVISOR.