Market & Portfolio Update - July 2020
Global share markets continued to rise following the volatility we saw during March, up a further 3% in July. This continued the theme of previous months as share markets are looking through rising cases of Covid-19 in the United States to news of potential vaccine developments, higher profits from some tech companies relatively immune to the virus, and support from governments and central banks. Fixed Interest investments also made a good contribution to fund returns, with bonds rising in value amidst the continued stimulus from central banks.
In addition to the general rise in markets, the portion of global share investments that are managed in conjunction with Rothschild continued their strong performance. Standout returns came from Alibaba (Chinese e-commerce giant), Linde (multi-national industrial gas company), and Danaher (US-based conglomerate) which each gained more than 10%.
The rise in markets since March combined with the gains from our active management mean that returns over the last 12 months are now solidly positive for all of Booster’s core diversified funds. This positive gain despite the disruptions to world economies over this period is testament to the importance of sticking to an appropriate long-term financial plan during both rough and calm seas.
Finding Your Financial Ikigai: The Japanese Art of a Balanced & Purposeful Life
In a world that often measures success in financial terms, the Japanese concept of Ikigai offers a refreshing perspective. Transcending the boundaries of culture and geography, this philosophy loosely translates as "a reason for being". Ikigai is a convergence of what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. It's an approach that represents a broader view of prosperity, encompassing joy, purpose, and contentment. As financial advisers, we find this particularly compelling. This article delves deeper into how Ikigai can not only enrich your life but also inform your financial decisions for a more fulfilling journey.
Lifetime Book Club: Intentional by Chris Bailey
In a world full of distractions, half-finished to-do lists, and “I’ll get to that later” energy, this book feels like a helpful nudge back to what really matters.
It’s not about doing more for the sake of it. It’s about doing the right things, with more purpose, more clarity, and a little less chaos.