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.

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Information links

CC Japan Income & Growth Trust plc (CCJI) https://ccjapanincomeandgrowthtrust.com

Murray International Trust (MYI) https://www.murray-intl.co.uk

Blackrock Energy and Resources Income Trust (BERI) www.blackrock.com/uk/individual/products/investment-trusts/our-range/blackrock-energy-and-resources-income-trust/trust-information

BlackRock Frontiers Investment Trust plc (BRFI) https://www.blackrock.com/uk/solutions/investment-trusts/our-range/blackrock-frontiers-investment-trust/performance-holdings

Henderson High Income Trust plc (HHI) Henderson High Income Trust | Janus Henderson Investment Trusts

The North American Income Trust plc (NAIT) The North American Income Trust plc | Janus Henderson Investment Trusts

Index and sector performance

Sector Screener: a review of 2025 and look ahead to 2026

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.

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Information links

Christmas Cracker Gifts 2023

Analogue Devices (ADI) Investor Relations - Analog Devices

Andrada Mining (ATM.L) Andrada Mining | Investors

The Buckle, Inc (BKE) The Buckle, Inc. - Investor Overview

Hanesbrands Inc. (HBI) Hanesbrands, Inc. - Investors - Investor Relations Home | Hanesbrands Inc.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) Investor Relations :: Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) (nclhltd.com)

Tharisa plc (THS.L) Investment Overview | Tharisa

Christmas Cracker Gifts 2024

Japan Gold Corp. (JG) Corporate

PureCycle Technologies (PCT) PureCycle Technologies, Inc. (PCT)

Microstrategy (MSTR) Explore MicroStrategy's Investor Relations: Stay Informed on Financial Performance and Corporate Governance

Pan African Resources (PAF) Pan African Resources: Home

3M Company (MMM) 3M Company (MMM)

On Holdings (OnOn) On - Home

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.

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Information links

US

Mr. Money Mustache (Pete Adeney) - Mr. Money Mustache — Early Retirement through Badassity

Choose FI Podcast: Hosted by Jonathan Mendonsa and Brad Barrett, ChooseFI - Podcast - Apple Podcasts

Tanja Hester: Author of Work Optional – ISBN-13 978-0316450898

UK

The Escape Artist (Barney Whiter) - Start here | The Escape Artist

Monevator - Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE): my journey from first steps to leaving work - Monevator

Ken Okoroafor (The Humble Penny) - Home - The Humble Penny

Europe

Retire in Progress (Switzerland) - Retire In Progress - Switzerland

Nordic FIRE - FIRE Europe - Financial Independence Retire Early for Europeans

Rest of the World

Canada: Raptitude (David Cain) - About Raptitude

Australia: The Aussie FIREbug podcast - Podcast - Aussie Firebug

Singapore & Hong Kong – Fat FIRE - F.I.R.E. in Singapore: Navigating the Path to Early Retirement | Media OutReach Newswire APAC

Podcasts

Afford Anything Paula Pant - Home - Afford Anything

The Mad Scientist Podcast Brandon (Mad Scientist) - The Mad Scientist Podcast

FIRE Drill Podcast Gwen & J Women - Fire Drill | Podcast on Spotify

The Humble Penny Podcast Ken & Mary Okoroafor - The Humble Penny | Podcast on Spotify

Books

Your Money or Your Life Vicki Robin & Joe Dominguez – ISBN-13 9780143115762

Financial Freedom Grant Sabatier – ISBN-13 978-0525534587

The Simple Path to Wealth JL Collins - ISBN-13‎ 979-8893310474

Quit Like a Millionaire Kristy Shen & Bryce Leung – ISBN-13 9781529407204

Set for Life Scott Trench – ISBN-13 9781947200807

Playing with FIRE Scott Rieckens – ISBN-13 9781608685806

From Zero to Financial Independence in Less Than 10 Years Robert Tracey – ISBN-13 978-1541095670

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 Twenty Five

What is the 25x retirement rule and does it work? | MoneyWeek

Four Percent Rule

https://www.fidelity.co.uk/markets-insights/personal-finance/saving-for-retirement/the-4-percent-rule-the-basics/

Retirement Stats

Moneywise

Here’s why more Americans are retiring earlier than ever before — even if they don’t want to. Is it your turn to hang it up in 2025?

Gallop

More in U.S. Retiring, or Planning to Retire, Later

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.

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Information links

Funds to outperform over the next 10 years (Update)

1. GuardCap Global Equity: GuardCap Global Equity Fund I GBP Acc|IE00BVSS1C10 (morningstar.co.uk), GuardCap Global Equity I GBP Price & Performance | Bestinvest
2. Stonehage Fleming Global Best Ideas: Stonehage Fleming Global Best Ideas Equity (D) Income Fund Price & Information (hl.co.uk)
3. Seilern World Growth: Seilern World Growth GBP U R|IE00B2NXKV01 (morningstar.co.uk)

Additional alternative funds that may outperform the baseline over the next 8 to 10 years

1. Evenlode Global Equity: IFSL Evenlode Global Equity F GBP Accumulation, GB00BMFX1P94:GBX charts - FT.com
2. Seilern World Growth: Seilern World Growth GBP U R|IE00B2NXKV01 (morningstar.co.uk)
3. Jupiter India Fund OEIC: Jupiter India Fund J GBP Acc, GB00BJJQ5G28:GBP performance - FT.com
4. Artemis Global Income Fund: Artemis Global Income Fund I Acc, GB00B5ZX1M70:GBP summary - FT.com
5. Fidelity Global Technology Fund: Fidelity Funds - Global Technology Fund I-Acc-GBP, LU2786262373:GBP charts - FT.com

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.

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Information links

Funds that have Outperformed over the last 5 years

1. Artemis UK Select: https://www.artemisfunds.com/en/gbr/investor/funds/explorer/artemis-uk-select-fund/class-i-accumulation-units-gbp
2. Fidelity Special Situations: https://www.fidelity.co.uk/factsheet-data/factsheet/GB00B88V3X40-fidelity-special-situations-w-acc/key-statistics
3. TM RWC RedWheel UK Equity Income: https://www.redwheel.com/uk/en/professional/product-page/tm-redwheel-uk-equity-income-fund_tmei/#

Funds to outperform over the next 10 years

1. GuardCap Global Equity: GuardCap Global Equity Fund I GBP Acc|IE00BVSS1C10 (morningstar.co.uk), GuardCap Global Equity I GBP Price & Performance | Bestinvest
2. Stonehage Fleming Global Best Ideas: Stonehage Fleming Global Best Ideas Equity (D) Income Fund Price & Information (hl.co.uk)
3. Seilern World Growth: Seilern World Growth GBP U R|IE00B2NXKV01 (morningstar.co.uk)

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 Technologies, Inc. (PCT)

Microstrategy (MSTR) Explore MicroStrategy's Investor Relations: Stay Informed on Financial Performance and Corporate Governance

Pan African Resources (PAF) Pan African Resources: Home

3M Company (MMM) 3M Company (MMM)

On Holdings (OnOn) On - Home

Christmas Cracker Gifts 2023

Analogue Devices (ADI) Investor Relations - Analog Devices

Andrada Mining (ATM.L) Andrada Mining | Investors

The Buckle, Inc (BKE) The Buckle, Inc. - Investor Overview

Hanesbrands Inc. (HBI) Hanesbrands, Inc. - Investors - Investor Relations Home | Hanesbrands Inc.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) Investor Relations :: Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) (nclhltd.com)

Tharisa plc (THS.L) Investment Overview | Tharisa

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.

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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

https://www.ii.co.uk/authors/helen-pridham

2019

https://www.ii.co.uk/analysis-commentary/how-make-ps10000-investment-trusts-2019-ii507709

2021

https://www.ii.co.uk/analysis-commentary/12-fund-picks-ps10000-income-2021-ii514990

2022 https://www.ii.co.uk/analysis-commentary/11-investment-trusts-earn-ps10000-income-2022-ii522668

2023 https://www.ii.co.uk/analysis-commentary/12-investment-trusts-ps10000-annual-income-2023-ii526750