Firstly, we hope you enjoyed the Christmas period and New Year celebrations. Today’s communication has been written by Andrew Dunn (known as Gus) as Gary is enjoying a few more days away from the office.
A slimline update today for what is a shortened trading week. The end of 2024 saw markets drop back just a touch, with an element of profit taking in the US off the back of what was perceived as less than ideal news about the trajectory of US interest rates.
However, that did not take the shine off a very positive year for global shares and bonds – driven higher by inflation receding worldwide, US growth remaining strong and interest rates coming down. Last month also benefitted from a ‘Trump bounce’ with his corporate friendly/regulation light agenda likely to boost profitability and shareholder returns in the equity market.
Our brief agenda this week is:
- How our portfolios performed in 2024
- Global growth to remain resilient in 2025
- The opportunity in smaller companies
- Summary
Portfolio performance for 2024
With 2024 now behind us, we can look back and assess portfolio performance. As independent financial advisers, we run a wide range of investment portfolios and the following represents a brief selection across the risk spectrum and before annual fees. What is noticeable for 2024, but not always the case, is that returns have increased with the risk profile chosen.
The Blue Sky Select Portfolios that we are so excited to be able to offer now (our bespoke joint venture with Legal and General Asset Management) are not shown as they were only available from the mid-year. That said, returns to date are very strong.
| Sapphire Cautious | 5.38% |
| LGT Sustainable Cautious | 5.48% |
| LGT Sustainable Balanced | 6.23% |
| Sapphire Balanced | 9.05% |
| Sapphire Growth | 10.67% |
| Global Themes | 11.93% |
| Momentum | 21.38% |
| Technology Focus | 32.03% |
Continues…
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Risk warning
Please Note: This communication should not be read as giving specific advice regarding your personal circumstances. This would only be given following detailed assessment of your individual needs. The value of investments may fall as well as rise; you may get back less than invested. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future returns.