The first half of 2024 delivered solid returns for equity investors in particular. For bond investments, rising interest rates were a mixed blessing. US technology stocks continued to dominate global equity markets.

For much of the year, 2023 was characterised by a volatile investment environment. It was another challenging year for investors. Rising interest rates had a conflicting impact on bond investments. US technology stocks dominated global equity markets.

Our essentially positive expectations with regard to the first six months of 2023 were borne out. Mixed investment portfolios clawed back some of the losses of the previous year, with investors favouring equities, primarily European and US technology stocks.

The 2022 investment year was truly challenging for investors. Rising interest rates and falling equity prices dominated large parts of an extraordinarily difficult year. Developments around the world were shaped by high inflation – a knock-on effect from the pandemic, which was exacerbated further by the war in Ukraine.