In January 2022, the average prudential balanced portfolio returned -1.3% (December 2021: 2.7%). The top performer is Allan Gray Balanced Fund with 0.6%, while Stanlib Managed Fund with -2.6% takes the bottom spot. For the 3-months Hangala Prescient Absolute Balanced Fund takes the top spot, outperforming the ‘average’ by roughly 2.2%. Stanlib Managed Fund underperformed the ‘average’ by 2.4% on the other end of the scale. Note that these returns are before (gross of) asset management fees.

The Monthly Review of Portfolio Performance to 31 January 2022 provides a full review of portfolio performances and other insightful analyses.

Forget yesterday’s winners, instead find yesterday’s loser that may shine tomorrow!

The disequilibrium in financial markets caused by low interest rates and fiscal stimulus is not sustainable and is up for correction this year. The Federal Reserve and the ECB are reducing their bond-buying programmes and contemplating lifting interest rates. The mere talk of rising interest rates caused the latest dip in the S&P 500. The stock markets produced clear winners and clear losers after the COVID crisis. Yesterday’s winners are unlikely to continue their winning streak while yesterday’s losers may shine again. I cannot see stock markets continuing their trajectory this year. Maybe I am over-cautious like I was in the run-up to the GFC.

Investors who align with my thinking and expectations should tread carefully. Forget to chase yesterday’s winners: instead, find yesterday’s losers that will shine tomorrow! If you find the right ones, you should achieve respectable returns on your shares investments this year.

The Monthly Review of Portfolio Performance to 31 January 2022 provides a full review of portfolio performances and other insightful analyses.