{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/a4c5de36-8260-4222-8e38-ff997dc73436/68542a4368b0c25e388715d5?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Construction stocks, XPS & medtech: The Companies and Markets Show","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/61b9b44742e856e989985776/1750346084003-5b81f42f-932c-4b32-a37a-f50dae029bd4.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>The show starts unpacking the latest results from equipment hire company <strong>Ashtead (AHT)</strong>. Mark Robinson analyses the outlook for US construction spending, the company’s sensitivity to tariffs and its valuation. It’s then on to Ashtead’s smaller rival <strong>Speedy Hire (SDY)</strong>, which is closing some of its depots due to rising staff costs. Listen to find out everything investors need to know.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Next up is one of the IC's <a href=\"https://www.investorschronicle.co.uk/content/22f37e3e-e129-5112-9f1f-077d8a1f30bb\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Ideas of the Year</a>, which are putting in a strong performance again in 2025. Pensions consultancy <strong>XPS Pensions (XPS)</strong> reported full-year figures earlier this week – Julian Hofmann asks if its booming business can continue.</p><p><br></p><p>Lastly, our Big Read on the <a href=\"https://www.investorschronicle.co.uk/content/3dc7a779-b514-4d6b-9f59-665df4df502b\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">medical technology</a> sector. Mark Robinson covers the issues facing the industry, the options for investors and a potential tariff winner.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Timestamps&nbsp;</strong></p><p>1:50 Ashtead</p><p>9:20 Speedy Hire</p><p>18:29 XPS Pensions</p><p>27:36 Medtech</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Read more on these topics:</strong></p><p><a href=\"https://www.investorschronicle.co.uk/content/2aba8163-07fe-4043-ab5c-21dd82aa7265\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Ashtead stymied by falling used equipment sales</strong></a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.investorschronicle.co.uk/content/0e930971-e3f8-437a-8a4a-0fb695ce9aa9\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Speedy Hire attempts to boost efficiencies as HMRC loads costs</strong></a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.investorschronicle.co.uk/content/3dc7a779-b514-4d6b-9f59-665df4df502b\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>The cutting-edge medtech stocks worth owning</strong></a></p><p><br></p><p>Listen to more podcasts from Investors’ Chronicle on <a href=\"https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/investors-chronicle/id951671327\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Apple</a>, <a href=\"https://open.spotify.com/show/0UXC2zQdVzl1n57gqO5oBp\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Spotify</a> and <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/user/InvestorsChronicle\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">YouTube</a></p>","author_name":"Investors' Chronicle"}