Exploring Oil & Unloved UK Stocks in the FTSE 250 Index
The Art of Investing
Brent vs WTI: Why Prices Differ
Mark clarifies differences between Brent and WTI pricing, transport costs, and geopolitical risk premia.
Welcome to Episode 16 of The Art of Investing - brought to you by IG, the global investing platform.
Rich McDonald, Mark “Spice” Holden and Chris Fellingham dig into a rollercoaster week for markets as crypto sells off, AI stocks wobble, and the FTSE 100 pushes back toward record highs. The trio debate whether this is just another healthy correction, or the first cracks in the bull market. And, the team add Vanguard FTSE 250 to the portfolio, listen to find out what changes we’ve made to the portfolio this week.
This Week’s Highlights
🐻 Revenge of the Bears: Are tech valuations finally starting to bite?
💥 Earnings Season Heats Up: 86 % of US companies are beating expectations - but can it last?
📉 Crypto Correction: Bitcoin and blockchain names take another leg down.
🏦 UK Banks Shine: Barclays and HSBC post strong results, boosting the FTSE.
⚙️ Rotation Watch: Money begins to flow from mega-cap tech into smaller stocks.
Portfolio Snapshot
- Weekly Performance: –1.3 %
- Total Return Since Inception: +7.5 %
- Added Vanguard FTSE 250 (VMIG)
Top Performers:
🪷 India ETF +3.7 %
🇯🇵 Nikkei 225 +1.1 %
🏦 FTSE 100 +1.1 %
Underperformers:
💎 Gold –3.8 %
⛏️ World Mining Trust –7.4 %
🪙 VanEck Crypto & Blockchain ETF –15.9 %
What You’ll Learn:
- How strong earnings and a US shutdown can coexist and why markets still rise.
- Why AI and quantum-computing stocks fell 33 % and what that means for investor sentiment.
- The difference between Brent and WTI oil and how OPEC and supply controls set prices.
- Why the team thinks oil may be at the start of a new run-up.
- The case for FTSE 250 mid-caps in a changing UK policy landscape (and how they’re funding it).
- How central-bank gold buying and AI efficiency link back to portfolio strategy.
📈 Download the full Portfolio Performance Slides
View the portfolio breakdown here: Portfolio
📧 Get in touch: theartofinvesting@ig.com
Subscribe for weekly investing insights and to follow the live portfolio in real time.
Disclaimer:
This podcast is provided for educational and informational purposes only. The content presented is not intended as personal investment advice, financial planning guidance, or a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any particular securities or investments. All discussions regarding the model portfolio are for educational purposes only. Past performance is not an indication of future results.
Your capital is at risk. The value of shares, ETFs and ETCs can fall as well as rise, which could mean getting back less than you originally put in.
October Free Share Bundle:
Grow your portfolio with IG. Invest £50 with IG and get a free share bundle worth between £40 and £200.*
*New customers only. Make your first investment of at least £50 into an ISA, GIA, or SIPP account by 30 October 2025. Must remain invested until 31 November 2025. Other fees may apply.
T&Cs found: Here
The AI-powered Podcast Player
