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The first episode of 2026 kicks off with a bang as Rich McDonald, Mark “Spice” Holden and Chris Fellingham review a late but powerful Santa Rally, a standout quarter for commodities, and one of the strongest periods of performance since the portfolio launched. Listen to find out why we are cashing out our best performer!With markets pushing to new highs and geopolitics back in focus, the team break down what’s really driving returns, and make their first meaningful portfolio changes of the year as they position for a potentially more volatile 2026.This Week’s Highlights:📈 Santa Rally (Finally)Equities and commodities surge into year-end, with global markets hitting fresh highs.🇬🇧 FTSE 100 Above 10,000A major milestone for UK markets despite years of investor outflows.⛏️ Commodity LeadershipGold, copper and mining stocks dominate as rate cuts and geopolitics collide.🪙 Crypto WhiplashSharp moves in crypto-linked equities underline fast-changing sentiment.🏦 Rates & BondsCooling US inflation steadies bonds, while Japan bucks the global trend.🌍 Geopolitics ReturnsDefence spending, elections and global tensions shape the 2026 outlook.Portfolio Snapshot - Week 21:Weekly performance: +4.23%Total return since inception: +14.29%Top Performers🥇 VanEck Crypto & Blockchain Innovators ETF: +12.10%🥈 BlackRock World Mining Trust: +10.66% 🥉 WisdomTree Copper ETF: +8.11% Steadier Contributors• iShares MSCI India ETF: +2.52%• iShares Physical Gold ETC: +2.42%• iShares UK Gilts 0-5 Year ETF: +0.36%Q4 Quarterly Review (Oct–Dec):A standout quarter driven by real assets and diversification.📊 Best Q4 Performers• BlackRock World Mining Trust: +29.38%• WisdomTree Copper ETF: +20.51%• iShares Physical Gold ETC: +15.94%• Nikkei 225 ETF: +9.60%📉 Weak Spots• VanEck Crypto & Blockchain Innovators ETF: –12.42% (Q4)The quarter reinforces a key theme: commodities and diversification mattered more than mega-cap tech.Actions Taken – Portfolio Changes:- 5% BlackRock World Mining Trust- 10% UK Gilts 0-5 years (all of position)+15% iShares $ Treasury Bond 7-10yr ETF Current positioning:• ~67.5% equities• ~22.5% commodities• ~10% bonds & defensive assetsWhat You’ll Learn:✔️ Why commodities dominated Q4✔️ How professionals trim winners✔️ Why bonds still matter✔️ How geopolitics feeds into markets✔️ Why diversification is back📈 Download the full Portfolio Performance SlidesView the portfolio breakdown: here📊 Download the full Quarterly Review SlidesView the Quarterly Review: 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.January Incentive:7.5% AER variable interest on cash balance up to £10,000.Promotion from 1 January 2026 until 16 January 2026. First trade must be made before 16 January. Interest boosted from First Trade until 31 March 2026.Your capital is at risk.New customers only. Offer valid until 16/01/2026 on ISA, GIA or SIPP accounts. T&Cs apply.
The first episode of 2026 kicks off with a bang as Rich McDonald, Mark “Spice” Holden and Chris Fellingham review a late but powerful Santa Rally, a standout quarter for commodities, and one of the strongest periods of performance since the portfolio launched. Listen to find out why we are cashing out our best performer!
With markets pushing to new highs and geopolitics back in focus, the team break down what’s really driving returns, and make their first meaningful portfolio changes of the year as they position for a potentially more volatile 2026.
📈 Santa Rally (Finally)
Equities and commodities surge into year-end, with global markets hitting fresh highs.
🇬🇧 FTSE 100 Above 10,000
A major milestone for UK markets despite years of investor outflows.
⛏️ Commodity Leadership
Gold, copper and mining stocks dominate as rate cuts and geopolitics collide.
🪙 Crypto Whiplash
Sharp moves in crypto-linked equities underline fast-changing sentiment.
🏦 Rates & Bonds
Cooling US inflation steadies bonds, while Japan bucks the global trend.
🌍 Geopolitics Returns
Defence spending, elections and global tensions shape the 2026 outlook.
Weekly performance: +4.23%
Total return since inception: +14.29%
🥇 VanEck Crypto & Blockchain Innovators ETF: +12.10%
🥈 BlackRock World Mining Trust: +10.66%
🥉 WisdomTree Copper ETF: +8.11%
• iShares MSCI India ETF: +2.52%
• iShares Physical Gold ETC: +2.42%
• iShares UK Gilts 0-5 Year ETF: +0.36%
A standout quarter driven by real assets and diversification.
📊 Best Q4 Performers
• BlackRock World Mining Trust: +29.38%
• WisdomTree Copper ETF: +20.51%
• iShares Physical Gold ETC: +15.94%
• Nikkei 225 ETF: +9.60%
📉 Weak Spots
• VanEck Crypto & Blockchain Innovators ETF: –12.42% (Q4)
The quarter reinforces a key theme: commodities and diversification mattered more than mega-cap tech.
Current positioning:
• ~67.5% equities
• ~22.5% commodities
• ~10% bonds & defensive assets
✔️ Why commodities dominated Q4
✔️ How professionals trim winners
✔️ Why bonds still matter
✔️ How geopolitics feeds into markets
✔️ Why diversification is back
📈 Download the full Portfolio Performance Slides
View the portfolio breakdown: here
📊 Download the full Quarterly Review Slides
View the Quarterly Review: 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.
7.5% AER variable interest on cash balance up to £10,000.
Promotion from 1 January 2026 until 16 January 2026. First trade must be made before 16 January. Interest boosted from First Trade until 31 March 2026.
Your capital is at risk.
New customers only. Offer valid until 16/01/2026 on ISA, GIA or SIPP accounts. T&Cs apply.
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.