This week on The Art of Investing, Rich McDonald is joined by Mark “Spice” Holden, Chris “CJ” Fellingham, who together bring over 100 years of combined experience across wealth and hedge fund management. They’re joined by special guest Adam Smith, former Chief of Staff to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, to unpack another huge week in global markets.
US equities pushed to fresh all-time highs as AI and semiconductor stocks surged higher, while falling oil prices and improving risk sentiment helped fuel a broad market rally. The team also debate whether signs of a bubble are beginning to emerge in parts of the technology market.
This Week’s Highlights:
📈 Markets Hit Fresh Highs
US indices including the Nasdaq, Russell 2000 and S&P 500 all reached new all-time highs as oil prices fell more than 10% this week.
💻 AI & Semiconductor Boom Accelerates
AMD, TSMC, Samsung and Intel all surged after another wave of blockbuster technology earnings and AI demand.
⚠️ Bubble Warning Signs Emerging?
The team discuss whether investors are now “buying names they like” regardless of valuation, with comparisons made to previous speculative bubbles.
🇬🇧 Can The UK Compete In AI?
Adam Smith shares insights from Westminster on Britain’s AI ambitions, and why the UK still has a chance to become a major global AI hub.
🛢️ Oil Falls As Ceasefire Hopes Grow
Markets welcomed signs of easing tensions in the Middle East, helping drive risk assets higher globally.
Portfolio Snapshot – Week 38:
No changes were made to the portfolio this week.
Weekly portfolio performance: +4.5%
Total return since inception: +21.4%
2026 year-to-date return: +8.9%
Top Performers
🥇 VanEck Crypto & Blockchain Innovators ETF: +21.6% WoW
🥈 BlackRock World Mining Trust PLC: +7.8% WoW
🥉 iShares Nikkei 225 ETF: +6.5% WoW
Underperformers
📉 Cash: +0.1% WoW
📉 iShares UK Gilts 0–5yr ETF: +0.4% WoW
📉 iShares MSCI India ETF: +1.5% WoW
Big Questions This Week:
- Is the AI rally becoming a bubble?
- Why are markets ignoring valuation concerns?
- Can the UK become a serious AI player?
- Is “Sell in May and Go Away” finally relevant again?
- Are investors underestimating how strong the US economy remains?
What You’ll Learn:
✔️ Why expectations matter more than earnings alone
✔️ How AI demand is reshaping global markets
✔️ Why semiconductor stocks are leading the rally
✔️ What warning signs investors should watch for in bull markets
✔️ How politics and policy could influence the next phase of AI investing
📈 Download the full Portfolio Performance Slides
View the portfolio breakdown: here
📧 Get in touch: theartofinvesting@ig.com
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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.
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📋 T&Cs: The “Beat the Street” competition is open to UK legal residents aged 18+ and there’s a limit of one registration per person. The promoter is IG Trading and Investments Ltd and you can enter and find full T&C’s at ig.com/uk/beat-the-street.
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.
The Art of Investing 
