The Investment Cuddle

This month the Cuddle takes a lighter approach with a look at some of our favourite music related to money and finance.  We will be back in the New Year with some more financial focussed content, enjoy the holidays wherever you find yourself.
 
Music by https://audionautix.com
 
Information links
Universal Robot Band - Barely Breaking Even
Abba - Money, Money, Money
John Rich - Shuttin' Detroit Down
Shirley Bassey - Big Spender
Craig Morgan - Almost Home
Beatles - Taxman
Ronnie Dunn - Cost of Living
Bobbie Gentry - Fancy
The flying lizards - Money
Willie Nelson - If You've Got the Money I've Got the Time
Aloe Blacc - I Need a Dollar
 
The Investment Cuddle Playlist (Spotify)
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1OLg43NBSrBEGT5DiPQP33?si=hwi_7tRpTgqggUVtOMj_hw&utm_source=native-share-menu

This month the Cuddle covers the second part of its look at pensions, including when to start.  We talk through the options for retirement with a look at why you might want to reassess your pension to spread the risk in retirement.
 
Music by https://audionautix.com
 
Information links
How has life expectancy changed over time?
https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/lifeexpectancies/articles/howhaslifeexpectancychangedovertime/2015-09-09
 
COVID-19 - The long view, History suggests that this pandemic will be a short-term interruption to long-run improvements in life expectancy, which should resume within a few years.
https://www.cam.ac.uk/stories/covid19-the-long-view
 

This month the Cuddle covers the first part of our pensions episodes, looking at the different types.  We talk through the options for do it yourself pensions with a look at why you might want to reassess your contributions and those of your dependents.
 
Music by https://audionautix.com
 
Information links
Defined benefit vs Defined contribution https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/032415/how-does-defined-benefit-pension-plan-differ-defined-contribution-plan.asp
SIPP https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/self-invested-personal-pension-sipp.asp
 

This month the Cuddle covers ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) investing, looking at what is ESG and what is it not!  We talk through the ratings of companies within a range of sectors with a look at why you might want to be your own ESG investor.
 
Music by https://audionautix.com
 
Information links
ESGS https://www.londonstockexchange.com/stock/ESGS/invesco/company-page
L&G future world developed index https://www.legalandgeneral.com/consumer/fund-iframe/investments-productsandfunds-indextracker-fund-future-world-esg-developed-index-fund.jsp
Vanguard ESG emerging market index https://www.vanguardinvestor.co.uk/investments/vanguard-esg-emerging-markets-all-cap-equity-index-fund-gbp-acc
Aegon ethical equity fund https://www.aegonam.com/en/strategies--funds/equity/ethical-equity-fund/
FEET https://www.feetplc.co.uk
Fundsmith Equity www.fundsmith.co.uk/fund-factsheet
BNY Bank of New York Mellon Sustainable Real Return Fund https://www.bnymellonim.com/uk/en/intermediary/fund/bny-mellon-sustainable-real-return-fund-uk-domiciled-newton-institutional-shares-2-accumulation-gb00bd6drh93/
First state investors Asia focus https://www.firstsentierinvestors.com/uploadedFiles/Content/UploadedLiterature/auto/EMEA/pdffundfactsheets/GB00BWNGXJ86-First-State-Asia-Focus-Fund-B-GBP-en-gb.pdf
Stewart investors Indian subcontinent fund https://www.stewartinvestors.com/uk/en/intermediary/our-funds/GB00B2PF5X11.html
Jupiter ecology fund https://www.fidelity.co.uk/factsheet-data/factsheet/GB00B4KLC262-jupiter-ecology-i-class-acc/key-statistics
Smarter Markets podcast https://www.smartermarketspod.com
 

This month the Cuddle covers technology company investing, looking at UK technology companies.  We talk through the highs and lows of key companies within the US tech sector with a look at why you really need to be a longer-term investor.
 
Music by https://audionautix.com
 
Information links
Ceres power https://www.ceres.tech
ITM power https://www.itm-power.com
Marlborough Nano Cap Growth Fund https://citywire.co.uk/funds-insider/fund/marlborough-nano-cap-growth-fund/c450133
Venture Capital Trust https://www.theaic.co.uk/guide-to-investment-companies/vcts

This month the Cuddle covers technology company investing, looking at the US technology sector and beyond.  We talk through when, how and how not to invest in the sector with a look at what really constitutes a tech company.
 
Music by https://audionautix.com
 
Information links
Nasdaq https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/index/comp
XLK ETF https://www.morningstar.com/etfs/arcx/xlk/quote
QQQ ETF https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/061715/what-qqq-etf.asp
Love Actually (2003) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9Z3_ifFheQ
InvestTalk https://kppfinancial.com/investtalk-podcast/

This month the Cuddle covers retail investing, looking at the stores we have lost on the high street and picking some of our favourites.  We talk through options for how to invest in the sector with a little look at commercial property investment funds.
 
Music by https://audionautix.com
 
Information links
TR Property Investment Trust https://www.trproperty.com
Aberdeen UK Property Fund https://www.aberdeenstandard.com/en/uk/adviser/fund-details/aberdeen-uk-property-fund/a-inc/gb00btlx1d00
BMO Commercial Property Trust https://www.bmogam.com/commercial-property-trust/
 

This month the cuddle covers inflation with a little help from https://www.inflationarypressure.com. We outline the types of inflation measurements and whether inflation really matters anymore? Using inflationary pressure.com we look at RPI, CPI, compound interest, average earnings and compare these to council tax, food, automobiles, rail fares and clothing.
 
You can compare the charts for yourself at https://www.inflationarypressure.com or look out for the video on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3wVPbGt6B-UFnUPUk1jEAQ
 
Use the drop-down lists on the website to compare the following;
CPI vs RPI
5% Compound Interest vs 7% Compound Interest
Council Tax vs 5% Compound Interest
Council Tax vs Average Earnings
RPI vs Average Earnings
RPI vs Total Food Inflation
Average Earnings vs Buying a Car
RPI vs Rail Fares
Average Earnings vs Rail Fares
RPI vs Children's Clothing
Average Earnings vs Children’s Clothing
 

This month the cuddle covers the second part of how to structure a portfolio. We outline the 100 year portfolio and how this differs to a single fund approach, thanks to Mr Terry Smith and highlight how too much diversification can damage your long-term goals.
Information links:
Chris Cole, 100-year portfolio https://taylorpearson.me/thedragon/
Terry Smith, fundsmith equity www.fundsmith.co.uk/fund-factsheet
Turtle traders, Michael Covel,  www.trendfollowing.com/podcast/
BERI, www.blackrock.com/uk/individual/products/investment-trusts/our-range/blackrock-energy-and-resources-income-trust/trust-information

This month the cuddle covers how to structure a portfolio. We outline the traditional 60:40 portfolio, investment trust portfolio, single funds, and the 100 year portfolio.
Information links:
Helen Pridham articles https://www.ii.co.uk/authors/helen-pridham
100-year portfolio https://taylorpearson.me/thedragon/
Macrovoices podcast link https://www.macrovoices.com/832-macrovoices-215-chris-cole-dragon-portfolio-revisited-in-the-eye-of-the-storm