For the second month in a row stock markets have tumbled in the first week of the month. As such, last month’s performance is far less meaningful than current conditions.

Markets were slightly weak in February, but then turned nastily down in March. We sold down stocks at the start of March - more detail below.

Another big month for markets. Our international portfolio in particular performed much better than benchmark, up almost 5% for the month, while our growth portfolio was not far behind.

For the 12 months to Dec 31 it was a cracking year for stocks. To be more specific, it was a cracking year for NVIDIA, and to a lesser extent the other big 6 US technology stocks. So, as long as you had lots of NVIDIA, your portfolio did well. Our global leaders portfolio, a concentrated exposure ...

In November, global markets boomed on the back of the Trump election, continuing into December with a Santa rally for the ages. The key question: how much higher can markets go?

In October, global markets continued to add to their performance, aided now by a falling Australian dollar. The Australian market finished down 1.5%.

In September global markets continued to add to their performance so far this year, however the rising AUD offset all of the gains and then some. However, this has reversed into October. The Australian market finished up slightly.

In August global markets added to their strong performance so far this year, however the rising AUD offset all of the gains. The Australian market finished up slightly. Our portfolios all outperformed their benchmarks. Our tactical portfolios outperformed as longer-term bonds rallied.

In June, the AI stocks continued to lead the charge, pushing stock markets higher. For the year to June, an almost 20% increase in international stocks drove all strategies.