The Art of Investing

The hosts tackle a volatile week for the markets, discussing the recent crypto sell-off and its impact on investor sentiment. They dive into strong corporate earnings from US and UK banks, contrasting with struggles in the tech sector. With a potential shift from mega-cap stocks to smaller caps, the conversation also explores the intricacies of oil prices and the benefits of investing in the FTSE 250. Listeners will hear insights on OPEC's influence and the significance of UK oil production in the current economic landscape.

Welcome to Episode 15 of The Art of Investing - brought to you by IG, the global investing platform.Rich McDonald, Mark “Spice” Holden and Chris Fellingham are joined by behavioral economist Stuart Thompson to unpack one of the biggest questions in finance right now: are we in a market bubble?From crypto crashes and record equity highs to the psychology driving investor behaviour, the team takes a hard look at what’s behind today’s market confidence - and whether it’s justified.This Week’s Highlights💥 Crypto Volatility: Bitcoin drops sharply in a flash selloff - what triggered it, and what comes next?📈 Equities on Edge: Global indices remain near record highs despite softening data.💬 Behavioral Economics: Guest Stuart Thompson explains why fear and greed still move markets faster than any algorithm.🏦 Central Banks: Investors continue to price in more rate cuts as data weakens.📊 Portfolio Review: The team weigh the balance between risk assets and defensive plays amid talk of overheating markets.Portfolio Snapshot:Weekly performance: +0.5%Total return since inception: +8.8%Top performers:🪙 VanEck Crypto & Blockchain ETF - +4.4% this week🥇 Gold - +4%⛏️ World Mining Trust - +3.5%Underperformers:🇩🇪 DAX - -1.2%🇬🇧 FTSE 100 - -1.2%🇺🇸 S&P / NASDAQ - slightly weaker amid mixed macro dataPositioning:The team discusses trimming crypto exposure, staying long gold, and holding steady on equities as valuations stretch.Key Takeaways:“Bad news is still good news” - weak data keeps the rate-cut optimism alive.Behavior drives markets: emotion outweighs logic in bubble phases.Crypto remains volatile: sharp moves highlight risk and opportunity.Gold and miners continue to perform strongly as defensive assets.Portfolio discipline: staying diversified while sentiment runs hot.📈 Download the full Portfolio Performance SlidesView the portfolio breakdown📧 Get in touch: theartofinvesting@ig.comSubscribe for weekly investing insights and to follow the live portfolio in real time.DisclaimerThis 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 BundleGrow 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

Welcome to Episode 14 of The Art of Investing - brought to you by IG, the global investing platform.This week, Rich McDonald, Mark “Spice” Holden and Chris Fellingham tackle the markets head-on - from new all-time highs and a stronger dollar, to Japan’s new Prime Minister and China’s next big play.It’s also decision week for the team as they decide whether to trim, add, or double down in their live portfolio after another strong run. With 8% total returns in just eight weeks, the bulls and bears are locking horns.This Week’s Highlights💹 Global Highs: S&P 500, DAX, Nikkei and even the FTSE hitting record levels 🏦 Central Banks: Hawk vs Dove - who’s really calling the shots now? 🇯🇵 Japan’s “New Thatcher”: Sanae Takanichi becomes Japan’s first female PM and markets love it 📉 Private Debt Warning: Is the next crisis hiding outside the banks? 📊 Emerging Markets Deep Dive: China, India, and the rise of the middle class 🪙 Portfolio Moves: Cutting crypto, adding to miners, and a 5% play on emerging marketsPortfolio UpdateCurrent portfolio return: +8.2% since inceptionTop performer: VanEck Crypto & Blockchain Innovators ETF (+50%)New allocations:-2.5% from VanEck Crypto+5% into BlackRock World Mining Trust+5% into Emerging Markets ETFCash reduced accordinglyThe team debate whether to take profits, raise targets, or brace for a correction — as the “Goldilocks economy” keeps investors dancing while the music’s still playing.📈 Download the full portfolio performance slides hereQuarterly Performance & AllocationsWhat You’ll LearnWhy AI-linked “circular deals” could be a red flagThe real risks and rewards in emerging markets (China vs India)Why private credit might be the next bubbleHow to balance fragile vs anti-fragile assets in your portfolioNext Week:The team answers the big question: What do you do when you’re ahead of your targets? - a full episode on portfolio management psychology.📧 Get in touch: theartofinvesting@ig.com Subscribe for weekly investing insights and to watch the team’s live portfolio evolve in real time.DisclaimerThis 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 BundleGrow 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: https://www.ig.com/uk/bonus-shares-promotion-oct-25

This week, the team face a packed agenda: a looming US government shutdown, soaring global markets, and the first part of their quarterly portfolio review. Rich McDonald, Chris Fellingham, and Mark “Spice” Holden dig into everything from pharma stocks to sovereign wealth funds - before voting on whether the Chairman should keep his crown for another quarter.What’s Hot This EpisodeBest September since 2020: Global equities up 4% despite seasonal headwinds.All-Time Highs Everywhere: S&P 500, Nasdaq, Russell 2000, and FTSE 100 all setting new records.Gold Breakout: Precious metals hit multi-year highs.Biggest Buyout in History: $55bn leveraged buyout of Electronic Arts.Trump’s Busy Week: From drug price deals with Pfizer to a new sovereign wealth fund push.Europe’s Inflation Relief: Eurozone inflation hits 2.2%, while the UK lags at 3.8%.ADP Jobs Shock: Weak data spooks markets but fuels optimism for more Fed cuts.Shutdown Showdown: 800,000 US government workers furloughed, and markets asking: how long will it last?Portfolio Review (Part 1)Performance to Date: Portfolio up +5.3% since inception.Star Performers:VanEck Blockchain ETF +32%Gold +13%Copper +7%BlackRock World Mining Trust +19%Laggards: DAX the weakest, India softens.Debates:Should winners like gold and crypto carry bigger weightings?Is 25% in cash too cautious or smart optionality?Risk appetite vs. sensible allocation.📊 Quarterly Performance Slides:We’ve pulled together the full set of portfolio performance slides so you can see exactly how the model portfolio has done over the past quarter - winners, laggards, and everything in between.👉 View the Quarterly Performance Slides here❓ Listener TakeawaysHow to think about quarterly reviews: scoring holdings A–E.The role of risk appetite in portfolio sizing.Why gold remains the “ultimate scarce asset.”What the US shutdown means (and doesn’t mean) for investors.Early signs of rotation: are US small caps finally worth a look?📄 Download the Portfolio ETFs list: here📄 Download the Portfolio Quarterly Review list: here📧 Get in touch: theartofinvesting@ig.comDisclaimer:This podcast is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice, financial planning guidance, or a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any securities. All portfolio discussions are for educational purposes only. Past performance is not a reliable indicator 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: https://www.ig.com/uk/bonus-shares-promotion-oct-25

Rich McDonald, Chris Fellingham and Mark “Spice” Holden get their hands dirty with a deep dive into mining and metals - from copper powering AI data centres to uranium’s surprising comeback. Along the way, they tackle your big questions: is long-term investing really just about “time in the market,” or can timing it make all the difference?This week’s market action:Rate cuts + record highs: S&P 500, Nasdaq, Dow, and Russell all at fresh peaksGold shines: hits new all-time highs, silver not far behindAI arms race: Nvidia pours $100bn into OpenAI, while Apple’s iPhone 17 defies the criticsEV shake-up: Porsche pivots back to petrol after weak electric salesTikTok deal drama: Oracle, Dell and Murdoch in the mix for control in the USDebt ceiling déjà vu: the US faces another potential government shutdownSpecial Topic - Metals & Mining Deep Dive:Why copper is king in the AI eraUranium’s revival as a “clean” energy play for data centresHow China still calls the shots on global commoditiesBlackRock World Mining Trust breakdown: exposure to Rio, BHP, Glencore, Anglo American & moreThe wild world of mining IPOs - and why some deals age better than othersPortfolio Action:Up 5.04% after seven weeksTaking some profits: trimming Nasdaq and gold holdings, parking 10% in cash (earning 4%)Strategy check: balancing “time in the market” with smart top-slicingYour Questions Answered:Timing vs. Time in the Market: which really wins in the long run?Portfolio review habits: how often should you really check your investments?Why we prefer “quarterly check-ups” to over-trading📄 Download the Portfolio ETFs list: here 📧 Get in touch: theartofinvesting@ig.comDisclaimer: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.September 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 September 2025. Must remain invested until 31 October 2025. Other fees may apply. T&Cs found here.For more info: IG Investment Campaign

This week, it’s all about monetary policy madness. With the Fed cutting rates for the first time in a year, the Bank of England holding fire, and central banks from Canada to Japan making moves, Rich McDonald, Chris Fellingham and Mark “Spice” Holden dive into what interest rate decisions really mean for markets.From Fed independence under Trump to the risks of policy mistakes, the team debate whether we’re seeing the start of a full rate-cutting cycle, or just an insurance tweak. Plus: Elon Musk regains the top spot as the world’s richest man, Alphabet joins the $3 trillion club, and TikTok gets a last-minute reprieve in the US.What’s Hot This EpisodeFed Cuts Rates: First move since Dec 2024 – is it the start of a cycle?Bank of England Watch: Inflation keeps UK policymakers on edgeElon Musk Strikes Back: Tesla up 30% after a $1bn buy-inAlphabet Joins $3 Trillion Club: Only the fourth company ever to do itTikTok Survives: What it means for US tech giantsPolicy Mistakes Through History: From the Great Depression to the GFC💼 Portfolio UpdatePerformance: +3.46% in six weeks (vs 10% annual target)Big Winner: VanEck Blockchain ETF up 25% since purchase (but is it time to take profits?)Other Moves: Nikkei +1.9%, India +1.55%, S&P 500 (GBP-hedged) +1%Laggard: DAX down 3% since initiation❓ Your Questions AnsweredWhen to Take Profits: How the team think about trimming winnersFragile vs Anti-Fragile Assets: Why diversification matters more than everCurrency Risk: Hedged vs unhedged ETFs explained in plain EnglishIs Monetary Policy Broken? Why rate cuts might not hit the economy like they used to📄 Download the Portfolio ETFs List: here 📧 Get in touch: theartofinvesting@ig.comDisclaimer:This podcast is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice, financial planning guidance, or a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any securities. All portfolio discussions are for educational purposes only. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Your capital is at risk.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.September 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 September 2025. Must remain invested until 31 October 2025. Other fees may apply. T&Cs found here - https://www.ig.com/uk/autumn-welcome-share-promotion-terms-sep-25For more info: https://www.ig.com/uk/invest-campaign

This week marks a first: our debut guest, Charles Hall, Head of Research at Peel Hunt, joins Sophie (making her own debut as host) alongside Chris Fellingham and Mark “Spice” Holden. Together, they tackle one of the hottest topics in finance right now: what happened to the UK stock market, and can it make a comeback?From pensions and regulation to stamp duty and sovereign wealth funds, this episode dives into the structural challenges holding the UK back – and the changes needed to make London a top-tier market again.What’s Hot This EpisodeGlobal Markets: S&P 500, NASDAQ, Dow Jones and Nikkei all hitting new highsChina Stimulus Hopes: Hong Kong and EMs at multi-year highsGold & Silver: Back at record levels (14-year high for silver)Non-Farm Payrolls: Data issues, Trump drama, and what it means for Fed policyOPEC Moves: Supply increase offsets Middle East tensionsGuest Spotlight: Charles HallWhy UK pensions stopped funding UK equitiesHow regulation, taxation, and passive investing reshaped the marketThe shrinking pool of UK-listed companies – and why that mattersSteps that could make Britain investable again: regulation reform, tax incentives, and financial educationThe case for a British sovereign wealth fundPortfolio UpdatePerformance: +2.59% since launch (up 1.5% this week)Winners: VanEck Blockchain ETF +6.3%, BlackRock World Mining +4.7%, Japan +4%Laggards: Copper -0.6%, DAX -0.3%Debate of the Week: Should the team take profits on gold after a 40% run, or hold on?❓ Listener TakeawaysWhy all-time highs are normal – not a sell signalCash ISAs vs Stocks & Shares ISAs – what’s better for long-term wealthWhy UK investors are (unknowingly) funding the US economyHow better financial education could change investment behaviour📄 Download the Portfolio ETFs List here 📧 Get in touch: theartofinvesting@ig.comDisclaimer:This podcast is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice, financial planning guidance, or a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any securities. All portfolio discussions are for educational purposes only. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Your capital is at risk.

September is here - historically the worst month for markets - and the team are all over the risks. Rich McDonald, Chris Fellingham and Mark “Spice” Holden dig into bond yields spiking to 25-year highs, gold smashing new records, and why Apple is cashing $20bn a year from Google.With the model portfolio up 1% since launch, this week is all about risk vs reward: which assets are fragile, which are anti-fragile, and how do you actually balance them?What’s Hot This EpisodeBonds Bite Back: UK 30-year yields near 6% – why that matters for equitiesGold Hits Record Highs: Silver and copper follow as commodities shineApple + Google Deal: $20bn payments that move tech stocksGoogle Antitrust Case: Why a judge ruled new AI search engines mean no monopolyNon-Farm Payrolls + CPI: Big data drops set to shape the Fed’s next movePortfolio UpdateCurrent performance: +1.02% since inception (up 0.4% this week)Winners: Gold ETF +5.4%, Copper +3.3%, BlackRock World Mining +1.8%Losers: DAX -1.1%, Nikkei -1%, Russell 2000 -1%Fragile vs Anti-Fragile: ~78% fragile assets (equities), ~22% anti-fragile (gold, commodities, crypto hedge)Your Questions AnsweredCurrency Risk 101: How GBP vs USD can turn a 20% gain into an 8% lossWhich Account, Which Risk? ISA vs General Investment Account – where should your higher-risk holdings sit?Diversification Hacks: Why correlations matter and how to balance assetsShould You Hedge? When to use GBP-hedged ETFs to control FX exposure📣 Coming Next WeekWe’re joined by Charles Hall, Head of Research at Peel Hunt, to talk UK equities and what it will take to make the UK market investable again.📄 Download the Portfolio ETFs List here: Here 📧 Get in touch: theartofinvesting@ig.comIG Free Share Bundle OfferIG is giving away up to £200 free share bundle when you invest at least £50. Until 30th September. Available when making first investment in a new or existing ISA, GIA or SIPP. Find out more at https://www.ig.com/uk/invest-campaign. T&Cs found here Disclaimer:This podcast is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice, financial planning guidance, or a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any securities. All portfolio discussions are for educational purposes only. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Your capital is at risk.

Rich McDonald, Chris Fellingham and Mark "Spice" Holden debate whether Jackson Hole’s dovish vibes can offset Trump’s Fed takeover plans. Spoiler alert: they disagree. A lot.This week’s drama includes French governments falling faster than their bond prices, Nvidia disappointing despite making buckets of cash, and our first portfolio shake-up as the team goes hunting for Russell 2000 gains.Plus: your burning questions on profit-taking, currency hedging, and why global ETFs are basically just expensive ways to buy American stocks.What’s Hot This EpisodeThe Spice Market Update: S&P 500 hits all-time highs while French politicians practice musical chairsAI Revolution 2.0: Snowflake surges 15% as companies finally figure out what to do with all that dataNvidia Reality Check: $38bn guidance gap sends shares on a rollercoaster (spoiler: they recovered)Fed Independence Crisis: Trump’s chess moves to stack the FOMC and what it means for your moneyThe One Big Beautiful Bill: Manufacturing jobs vs. AI job losses in the ultimate economic cage matchPortfolio ActionOur first live trade! The team dumps 5% of gilts to buy Russell 2000 exposure.Mark gets his way on US small caps while Chris mutters about political risks from the sidelines.Current performance: Up 0.59% (crypto leads the charge, India gives back last week’s gains)Your Questions AnsweredPortfolio Building 101: The three factors that actually matter for the next five yearsCurrency Headaches: Why your dollar ETF isn’t matching the S&P 500 (hint: sterling happened)Profit vs. Loss Paranoia: When to cut and run vs. diamond hands strategy2008 PTSD: What the team learned from Lehman’s collapse and Mario Draghi’s “whatever it takes” momentBook RecommendationThe Art of Execution by Lee Freeman-Shor – discover whether you’re a rabbit, assassin, hunter, raider, or connoisseur (spoiler: we’re all rabbits at heart). 📧 Get in touch: theartofinvesting@ig.comDisclaimer:This podcast is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice, financial planning guidance, or a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any securities. All portfolio discussions are for educational purposes only. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Your capital is at risk.

Welcome to Episode 7 of The Art of Investing – This week, Rich McDonald, Chris Fellingham, and Mark Holden dive into the strength of U.S. equities and ask the big question: can the S&P 500 keep climbing, or is a correction on the horizon? With U.S. indices testing record levels, shifting rate expectations, and mixed signals in global markets, the team break down what it all means for investors.This week’s highlights include:Market update: S&P 500 nearing highs, Fed policy expectations, and global equity performance.Portfolio review: The latest allocation moves and how the team are balancing growth and caution.Risk & discipline: Why diversification and risk awareness are critical in bullish conditions.Investor psychology: How sentiment can distort decision-making when markets approach peaks.Practical investing takeaways: What this all means for positioning in 2025.📄 Download ETF list and performance here:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1R3LEKkNo4M6UDaw4eyeBdBeaV7aH_fvL?usp=drive_link👉 Download supporting slides from this episode:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1YDv9-F6Tm4-41XqjWvlZnxTw5eJOPZRd?usp=drive_link📧 Get in touch: theartofinvesting@ig.comYour 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 put in. New customers only. Offer valid until 15 August for ISA, GIA, and SIPP accounts. Other fees may apply. T&Cs apply.Disclaimer: This podcast is provided for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended as personal investment advice, financial planning guidance, or a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any securities. All portfolio discussions are for educational purposes only. Past performance is not an indication of future results.Subscribe ► https://www.youtube.com/IGUnitedKingdom?sub_confirmation=1Start your investing journey here: https://upl.inc/the-world-of-ig