Hi {{First Name}},

2020 is now well underway. In the first 6 weeks of the year we have seen investment markets assess the assassination of the Iranian General Qassem Soleimani by the US military, Iran firing ballistic missiles at two US military bases in Iraq following the assassination, and the onset of the Coronavirus, where the severity of the virus and impacts on trade will likely determine the market’s reaction. We’ve seen the UK finally confirm their exit from the EU on 31 January. 2019 was a strong year for share markets. The ASX 200 total return index of Australian shares (including dividends) rose 23.40% for the 2019 calendar year after falling 2.84% including dividends in 2018. In the decade that ended in 2019 we have experienced only two negative years for Australian shares (2011 and 2018). In July 2019, the Australian share market finally recovered its previous high set in October 2007 just prior to the outbreak of market turbulence that has become known as the GFC (Global Financial Crisis). Our market, along with the US, now sits around new all-time highs. During 2019, international shares, excluding Australia as measured by the MSCI World Ex-Australia index rose 27.97% including dividends and the added benefit of a falling Australian dollar boosting the value of international shares in our home currency. Across the country, Australian property prices, including houses and units, rose by 2.30% over the 2019 calendar year according to Core Logic. Sydney and Melbourne both saw dwelling prices rise by 5.30%, with Brisbane rising 0.30%.

With a new decade starting with interest rates at historic lows the importance of a disciplined and patient investment strategy remains more important than ever.