In this guide
Shares at record highs and interest rates at record lows. One of the defining aspects of 2019 was the flight to higher risk assets in pursuit of higher returns.
And it certainly paid off. Despite the US-China trade war, the Brexit impasse and a slowing global economy, investors with a diversified portfolio finished 2019 in surprisingly good shape.
Australian shares had their best year in a decade. The All Ords Accumulation Index, which measures the total return from Australian shares (prices plus dividends), finished the year up a smidgeon over 24%. This is more than twice the long-term average of 9.9%.
Bumper returns from shares
Excluding dividends, the All Ords Index was up 19.1% and the ASX 200 rose 18.4%, but it was a roller coaster of emotions.
