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This week on The Art of Investing, Rich McDonald, Mark “Spice” Holden and Chris “CJ” Fellingham unpack a volatile week as geopolitical tensions, banking sector nerves and shifting energy policy collide.Despite rising uncertainty, from renewed conflict fears to credit market concerns, the portfolio remains resilient. The team discuss whether markets are overreacting, why bank stocks sold off, and what investors should focus on during volatility.They revisit lessons from past geopolitical shocks and explain why disciplined portfolio construction matters more than reacting to headlines.Expect sharp macro insight and a clear breakdown of how the team are thinking about risk right now.This Week’s Highlights:⚠️ Credit Crisis Fears?Bank stocks fall as markets briefly price in tighter credit conditions.🌍 Geopolitics Back in FocusRising tensions bring geopolitical risk back to markets.🇷🇺 Lessons from RussiaRevisiting the 2022 collapse in Russian assets and its lessons.⛽ Energy Policy ConfusionGovernments tax oil producers while calling for more supply.📉 Market Volatility ReturnsSector swings highlight diversification.🧠 Staying Rational in TurbulenceWhy reacting emotionally to headlines often backfires.Portfolio Snapshot:Weekly performance: –2.1%Total return since inception: +16.6%Top Performers 🥇 VanEck Crypto & Blockchain Innovators ETF: +4.0% 🥈 Cash: +0.1% 🥉 iShares UK Gilts 0–5yr ETF: –0.1%Underperformers 📉 iShares Core MSCI EM IMI ETC: –5.7% 📉 iShares Nikkei 225 ETF: –5.1% 📉 BlackRock World Mining Trust PLC: –5.0%Portfolio Positioning:The portfolio remains positioned toward:• Commodities and real assets• Global equities beyond US mega-cap concentration• Select small and mid-cap exposure• Defensive allocations including gilts and cashThe aim remains building a diversified portfolio able to navigate uncertain markets.Big Questions the Team Debate:• Are markets overreacting to fears of a credit slowdown?• How should investors think about geopolitical shocks?• What lessons came from the Russian market collapse?• Why energy policy contradictions could shape inflation• How diversification helps absorb market shocksWhat You’ll Learn:✔️ Why banking sector moves can trigger market anxiety✔️ How geopolitical risk affects portfolios✔️ Why diversification matters during volatility✔️ The dangers of reacting emotionally to headlines✔️ How long-term investors should approach risk📈 Download the full Portfolio Performance SlidesView the portfolio breakdown: here📧 Get in touch: theartofinvesting@ig.comSubscribe for weekly investing insight 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 or a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any particular securities or investments. All discussions regarding the model portfolio are illustrative and for educational purposes.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.Incentives:JISA Incentive Dates: 2nd March to 5th AprilDetails: Invest £50 and get £50. First 200 clients will get £250. First trade has to be £50 or more to receive the £50 bonus. New clients only. The bonus of £50 will be credited to the Junior ISA by 30 April 2026. PROMO CODE: JISAPODCAST📋T&Cs: https://www.ig.com/uk/jisa-cash-bonus-50-feb-26https://www.ig.com/uk/jisa-cash-bonus-250-feb-267% interest on Cash IncentiveDates: 2nd March - 13th March 2026Details: 7% AER variable interest on cash balance up to £5000 for 6 months. Until 31st August 2026. Promo Code: INTERESTPODCAST📋T&Cs: https://www.ig.com/uk/boosted-interest-mar-26
This week on The Art of Investing, Rich McDonald, Mark “Spice” Holden and Chris “CJ” Fellingham unpack a volatile week as geopolitical tensions, banking sector nerves and shifting energy policy collide.
Despite rising uncertainty, from renewed conflict fears to credit market concerns, the portfolio remains resilient. The team discuss whether markets are overreacting, why bank stocks sold off, and what investors should focus on during volatility.
They revisit lessons from past geopolitical shocks and explain why disciplined portfolio construction matters more than reacting to headlines.
Expect sharp macro insight and a clear breakdown of how the team are thinking about risk right now.
⚠️ Credit Crisis Fears?
Bank stocks fall as markets briefly price in tighter credit conditions.
🌍 Geopolitics Back in Focus
Rising tensions bring geopolitical risk back to markets.
🇷🇺 Lessons from Russia
Revisiting the 2022 collapse in Russian assets and its lessons.
⛽ Energy Policy Confusion
Governments tax oil producers while calling for more supply.
📉 Market Volatility Returns
Sector swings highlight diversification.
🧠 Staying Rational in Turbulence
Why reacting emotionally to headlines often backfires.
Weekly performance: –2.1%
Total return since inception: +16.6%
Top Performers
🥇 VanEck Crypto & Blockchain Innovators ETF: +4.0%
🥈 Cash: +0.1%
🥉 iShares UK Gilts 0–5yr ETF: –0.1%
Underperformers
📉 iShares Core MSCI EM IMI ETC: –5.7%
📉 iShares Nikkei 225 ETF: –5.1%
📉 BlackRock World Mining Trust PLC: –5.0%
The portfolio remains positioned toward:
• Commodities and real assets
• Global equities beyond US mega-cap concentration
• Select small and mid-cap exposure
• Defensive allocations including gilts and cash
The aim remains building a diversified portfolio able to navigate uncertain markets.
• Are markets overreacting to fears of a credit slowdown?
• How should investors think about geopolitical shocks?
• What lessons came from the Russian market collapse?
• Why energy policy contradictions could shape inflation
• How diversification helps absorb market shocks
✔️ Why banking sector moves can trigger market anxiety
✔️ How geopolitical risk affects portfolios
✔️ Why diversification matters during volatility
✔️ The dangers of reacting emotionally to headlines
✔️ How long-term investors should approach risk
📈 Download the full Portfolio Performance Slides
View the portfolio breakdown: here📧 Get in touch: theartofinvesting@ig.com
Subscribe for weekly investing insight and to follow the live portfolio in real time.
This podcast is provided for educational and informational purposes only. The content presented is not intended as personal investment advice or a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any particular securities or investments. All discussions regarding the model portfolio are illustrative and for educational purposes.
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.
JISA Incentive
Dates: 2nd March to 5th April
Details: Invest £50 and get £50. First 200 clients will get £250. First trade has to be £50 or more to receive the £50 bonus. New clients only. The bonus of £50 will be credited to the Junior ISA by 30 April 2026.
PROMO CODE: JISAPODCAST
📋T&Cs: https://www.ig.com/uk/jisa-cash-bonus-50-feb-26
https://www.ig.com/uk/jisa-cash-bonus-250-feb-26
7% interest on Cash Incentive
Dates: 2nd March - 13th March 2026
Details: 7% AER variable interest on cash balance up to £5000 for 6 months. Until 31st August 2026.
Promo Code: INTERESTPODCAST
Looking to turn Market Chaos into Investing Clarity?
Welcome to The Art of Investing - a brand new podcast that transforms market noise into clear investing strategies. Brought to you by IG, global investing platform, FTSE 250 and over 50 years in the markets.
This isn't your typical finance show.
Whether you're taking your first steps into the investment world or you're a seasoned investor looking to sharpen your edge, you've found your new secret weapon.
Every Friday, join hosts Rich McDonald, Mark Holden & Chris Fellingham – three investing legends bringing you a combined century of market wisdom. They'll decode the week's biggest moves, reveal the hot topics that could make or break a portfolio, and share the insights that separate winners from wishful thinkers.
But here's where we blow every other podcast out of the water:
Introducing our live Model Portfolio. With IG's access to thousands of global markets, you'll watch our strategy unfold in real-time, unfiltered investment action, that you can follow.
Every week, we'll pull back the curtain on exactly how the portfolio is performing. The wins, the losses, the lessons learned – it's all here. This is investing education with skin in the game.
Are you ready to master the art of investing?
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.