Episode Details

The Vatican is launching its own equity indexes (and the top holdings might not be what you expect). In the second installment of the Equity Mates Community Portfolio Scott pitches Playside Studios. Bryce and Ren also unpack the biggest earnings season themes, from AI CapEx to tariffs, before finishing with a practical breakdown of currency risk and hedging for ETF investors.

In this episode:

0:00 Disclaimer + intro

0:52 The Vatican Bank launches Catholic equity indexes

4:28 US earnings season: equal-weight beating Big Tech

5:56 AI CapEx explodes + tariffs squeeze margins

8:17 Australia reporting season: CSL shock, CBA surge, Macquarie threat

10:29 Community Stock Pitch: Playside Studios

17:59 Currency risk explained: why hedging matters

26:57 Hedged vs unhedged ETF returns + the fee trade-off

Stocks & ETFs mentioned: Meta (NASDAQ:META), Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA), Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), Ford (NYSE:F), Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT), Newell Brands (NASDAQ:NWL), Harley-Davidson (NYSE:HOG), Ralph Lauren (NYSE:RL), LVMH (EPA:MC), Dollar General (NYSE:DG), Target (NYSE:TGT), Walmart (NYSE:WMT), Kroger (NYSE:KR), CSL (ASX:CSL), Commonwealth Bank (ASX:CBA), Macquarie Group (ASX:MQG), Xero (ASX:XRO), Playside Studios (ASX:PLY), iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (ASX:IVV), iShares S&P 500 AUD Hedged ETF (ASX:IHVV), Betashares NASDAQ 100 ETF (ASX:NDQ), Betashares NASDAQ 100 Currency Hedged ETF (ASX:HNDQ)

Want to get involved in the podcast? Record a voice note or send us a message 

And come and join the conversation in the Equity Mates Facebook Discussion Group.

———

Want more Equity Mates? Across books, podcasts, video and email, however you want to learn about investing – we’ve got you covered.

Keep up with the news moving markets with our daily newsletter and podcast (Apple | Spotify)

———

Looking for some of our favourite research tools?

• Download our free Basics of ETF handbook
• Or our free 4-step stock checklist
• Find company information on TIKR
• Screen the market with GuruFocus
• Track your portfolio with Sharesight

———

In the spirit of reconciliation, Equity Mates Media and the hosts of Equity Mates Investing acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people today. 

———

Equity Mates Investing is a product of Equity Mates Media. 

This podcast is intended for education and entertainment purposes. Any advice is general advice only, and has not taken into account your personal financial circumstances, needs