We’ve had a very interesting investing year so far and I’d like to share some brief investing observations and comparisons from the year.
I will also share some words of gratitude from those who helped me and Informed Decisions during the year.
Investment trip 2025
They say that ‘the bread eaten is quickly forgotten’. True or not, let’s remind ourselves that in 2024, an illustrative 80/20 portfolio of globally diversified stock and bond funds delivered a total return of over 20%. It was a sensational year in every respect.
We entered 2025 with a ‘business as usual’ mentality, with the exception of Donald’s arrival and his tariff initiative looming!
It seems like a long time ago, but these rate announcements caused carnage in (most) markets in March and April 2025, with portfolios plummeting by around 20% to 30% depending on global allocations.
As with the Covid slump, it didn’t take long for markets to recover; they recovered completely in about six weeks.
Two standouts from the pack have been stocks from Europe and emerging markets as a whole, which have become increasingly popular, perhaps because long-term diversified investors are realizing the folly of relying on a single economy and collection of companies for their financial future.
Bonds were also back in vogue and held up through the market carnage of the time, once again demonstrating their diversification power.
And while volatility and fear lurk (doesn’t it ever??), 2025 delivered a 7% return for a well-invested and patient investor with an illustrative 80/20 portfolio.
The 80.20 portfolio below titled ‘Informed Decisions Model Portfolio’ is an illustrative portfolio using Vanguard Global/Emerging/Small Cap/European/Bond Funds.
As you’ll see from the above, just under 7% returns for those investing in some of the most popular (80/20 equivalent) investment products in Ireland – but that’s nothing new, is it?
It takes a village
In 2025, Informed Decisions Financial Planning now worked with approximately 80 households with their ongoing financial planning.
The majority of these people are nearing retirement or have recently retired. In our experience, this is a time when we are moving from accumulating assets to spending assets – and it is a challenging navigation for many of us. Having someone to work with them can make that journey more fun and successful. That’s what we like to help nice people with!
And this year we made a donation of €4,000 to Saint Vincent De Paul on behalf of customers, in lieu of another bottle of wine!
We have supported Concerns and SVDP in recent years, and while it is always difficult to choose a beneficiary, we believe this aligns with the values of the people we work with.
And the people who continue to choose to work with us here (“our customers”) are the first people I want to recognize; they really are a ‘healthy’ group of people!
In 2025, we have continued to deliver the kind of independent financial advice and guidance to the people who choose to work with us. We have continued to grow organically and enjoy working with nice people, and we do this based on partnership and value.
We have welcomed Aaron McElligott from Sligo to the team (who has hit the ground running!), and Siun Griffin and Aoife Lovett continue to be integral in delivering the proactive and professional service to the people we work with. Thank you to each and every one of you.
And here are some of the people who have supported us to ensure we deliver the best service to those customers, and a big thank you to everyone;
- Clarus Investment Advisors
- MG Business Advice
- Meath LION
- The compliance consultant
- Shrine advice
- Contento CRM UK
- Nick McGowan and Lion.ie
- IT support for graphics
Only when you are deeply involved in something do you appreciate EVERYTHING that goes into doing it the right way! Whether that’s making Christmas dinner or trying to do a good job through a service company, there are many aspects that need to be done right to make everything come together!
And while we can and should strive for perfection, having a receptive and healthy audience that recognizes intentions and good results makes the process just a little more fun!
So thank you!
And Merry Christmas.
Paddy Delaney QFA RPA APA
#Investments #Takes #Village