The Investment Cuddle

This month the Cuddle looks at Investment platform costs, with a focus on how this works for retail investors. We also delve into the world of how investment vehicles effect the spread and overall costs.   Music by https://audionautix.com   Information links Freetrade - Freetrade: Award-winning investment & trading platform Hargreaves Lansdowne - Hargreaves Lansdown | ISAs, pensions, investmen...

This month the Cuddle looks at Bid offer spread, with a focus on how this works for  retail investors. We also delve into the world of investment platforms and try to assess their spread breakdown.   Music by https://audionautix.com   Information links Fidelity International - Fidelity International | ISAs, Shares, Funds & Pensions (SIPPs) AJ Bell - AJ Bell | Award-Winning Investment Platform...

This month the Cuddle looks at Financial Education, with a little help from secondary school pupils in years 7, 9 and 11. They let us know their thoughts on the world of money and financial education.   Music by https://audionautix.com   Information links Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report - GOV.UK Financial Times Financial Literacy & In...

This month the Cuddle looks at Financial Education, outlining the UK Governments 2025 review, and how this links to the Financial Times Flic initiative.   Music by https://audionautix.com   Information links Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report - GOV.UK Financial Times Financial Literacy & Inclusion Campaign (FT FLIC) FT FLIC | Mastering y...

This month the Cuddle looks at its income portfolio, paying homage to the Helen Pridham portfolio, and we talk through how our fund has changed in the last 12 months ready for 2026.   Music by https://audionautix.com   Information links AIC - https://www.theaic.co.uk Edison research - https://www.edisongroup.com   Articles 11 investment trusts for a £10,000 annual income Nine investment trusts to...

This month the Cuddle covers what went on in the markets in 2025, looking at indexes and individual sectors.  We talk through how our portfolio performed and review our best and worst performers and what to expect in 2026. Music by https://audionautix.com   Information links CC Japan Income & Growth Trust plc (CCJI) https://ccjapanincomeandgrowthtrust.com Murray International Trust (MYI) https...

This month the Cuddle covers its Christmas Crackers, looking at the previous two years with the best winners and losers!  We talk through how these Christmas cracker gifts have performed.   Music by https://audionautix.com   Information links Christmas Cracker Gifts 2023 Analogue Devices (ADI) Investor Relations - Analog Devices Andrada Mining (ATM.L) Andrada Mining | Investors The Buckle, Inc (BK...

This month the Cuddle looks at the FIRE movement.  We talk through the different resources available to further understand Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE) including a book review to inspire your journey.   Music by https://audionautix.com   Information links US Mr. Money Mustache (Pete Adeney) - Mr. Money Mustache — Early Retirement through Badassity Choose FI Podcast: Hosted by Jonatha...

This month the Cuddle looks at the FIRE movement.  We talk through the different flavours of Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE) including rules to live by through your journey.   Music by https://audionautix.com   Information links Financial Freedom Documentary | Playing With FIRE Investopedia FIRE Explained: Financial Independence, Retire Early – Rules, Types & Planning The Rule of Tw...

This month the Cuddle looks at an update on investment alternatives to Terry.  We talk through more potential alternatives and how our previous funds have performed over the last three years.   Music by https://audionautix.com   Information links Funds to outperform over the next 10 years (Update) GuardCap Global Equity: GuardCap Global Equity Fund I GBP Acc|IE00BVSS1C10 (morningstar.co.uk) , Guar...

This month the Cuddle takes another look at the OEIC investment riddle, looking at investment alternatives to Terry.  We talk through potential alternatives and how they have performed over the last five years and what they may provide in returns over the next decade.   Music by https://audionautix.com   Information links Funds that have Outperformed over the last 5 years Artemis UK Select: https:...

This month the Cuddle covers its Christmas Crackers, looking at the different types of companies within our cuddle crackers.  We talk through how last year’s Christmas cracker gifts performed and whether to keep or exchange this year’s gifts!   Music by https://audionautix.com   Information links Christmas Cracker Gifts 2024 Japan Gold Corp. (JG) Corporate PureCycle Technologies (PCT) PureCycle Te...

This month the Cuddle covers income portfolios, looking at and paying homage to the Helen Pridham portfolio.  We talk through how it is structured and how it has performed.   Music by https://audionautix.com   Information links Helen Pridham Investment portfolio for £10k income 2020 https://www.ii.co.uk/analysis-commentary/11-investment-trusts-ps10000-annual-income-ii510420   Additional Links http...

This month the Cuddle covers dividends, looking at Asia.  We talk through whether Asian companies good for dividends and options for longer-term dividend and capital growth.   Music by https://audionautix.com   Information links Data www.justETF.com/uk/ www.theaic.co.uk   S&P UK High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index https://www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/indices/dividends-factors/sp-uk-high-yield-d...

This month the Cuddle covers dividends, looking at small companies.  We talk through whether UK small companies are good for dividends and longer-term dividend and capital growth.   Music by https://audionautix.com   Information links Data www.justETF.com/uk/ www.theaic.co.uk   City Of London (CTY) https://www.janushenderson.com/en-gb/investor/product/the-city-of-london-investment-trust-plc/ Athel...

This month the Cuddle covers dividends, looking at the UK market.  We talk through whether the UK is good for stable dividends and longer-term dividend growth.   Music by https://audionautix.com   Information links Data www.justETF.com/uk/ www.theaic.co.uk   iShares Core FTSE 100 UCITS ETF https://www.ishares.com/uk/individual/en/products/251795/ishares-ftse-100-ucits-etf-inc-fund?switchLocale=y&a...

This month the Cuddle covers dividends, looking at the US market.  We talk through whether the US is good for dividends and longer-term dividend growth.   Music by https://audionautix.com   Information links   Data www.justETF.com/uk/ www.theaic.co.uk   Invesco EQQQ Nasdaq-100 UCITS ETF Dist (EQQQ) https://www.invesco.com/uk/en/financial-products/etfs/invesco-eqqq-nasdaq-100-ucits-etf-dist.html  ...

This month the Cuddle covers Defence, looking at the different types of funds including a few ETFs.  We talk through how to invest in this sector and review an alternative investment option.   Music by https://audionautix.com   Information links Fidelity Select Defense and Aerospace Fund (FSDAX) FSDAX - Fidelity ® Select Defense and Aerospace Portfolio | Fidelity Investments iShares U.S. Aerospace...

This month the Cuddle covers what went on in the markets in 2023, looking at indexes, bonds and individual companies.  We talk through how our portfolio performed and review our best and worst performers.   Music by https://audionautix.com   Information links CC Japan Income & Growth Trust plc (CCJI) https://ccjapanincomeandgrowthtrust.com BlackRock Frontiers Investment Trust plc (BRFI) https:...

This month the Cuddle covers its Christmas Crackers, looking at the different types of companies within our cuddle crackers.  We talk through whether to keep our gifts and whether that is all we wanted for Christmas!   Music by https://audionautix.com   Information links Christmas cracker Gifts Analogue Devices (ADI) Investor Relations - Analog Devices Andrada Mining (ATM.L) Andrada Mining | Inves...

This month the Cuddle covers Defence, looking at the different types of companies within the US and UK.  We talk through how to invest in this sector and review a few investment options.   Music by https://audionautix.com   Information links Lockheed Martin – LMT, $108B Lockheed Martin Corp, LMT:NYQ profile - FT.com Boeing Co – BA, $123B Boeing Co, BA:NYQ summary - FT.com Raytheon Technologies Cor...

This month the Cuddle covers our visit to The Investment Company Showcase, the second year the Association of Investment Companies (AIC) have held their showcase event.  We talk through our best bits and cover the funds and managers that caught the eye.   Music by https://audionautix.com   Information links Association of Investment Companies (AIC) https://www.theaic.co.uk The Investment Company S...

This month the Cuddle the OEIC investment riddle continues, looking at investment alternatives to Terry.  We talk through potential alternatives and how they have performed over the last five years and what they may provide in returns over the next decade.   Music by https://audionautix.com   Information links Funds that have Outperformed over the last 5 years Artemis UK Select: https://www.artemi...

This month the Cuddle covers the OEIC investment riddle, looking at investment alternatives to Terry.  We talk through alternatives with a similar philosophy and how to create your own strategy.   Music by https://audionautix.com   Information links Fundsmith https://www.fundsmith.co.uk/factsheet/ BlueWhale https://bluewhale.co.uk/factsheet  

This month the Cuddle covers non-renewable energy, looking at the different types of fossil fuel energy companies and funds.  We talk through how to invest in this sector with a few investment options.   Music by https://audionautix.com   Information links Harmony Energy Income Trust plc – HEIT - https://www.heitp.co.uk Blackrock Energy & Resources Income (BERI) - https://www.blackrock.com/uk/...