Stop staring in the rearview mirror – let’s look ahead

As we head into 2026, it’s a good time to reflect on the year that was—and then refocus on the road ahead. After all, the rearview mirror is small for a reason. It gives you a glimpse of the past, but the windscreen is much larger because where you’re going matters more than where you’ve been.

For investors, 2025 delivered its fair share of twists and turns. From global elections and geopolitical tensions to shifting interest rates and fluctuating markets, there were plenty of headlines to distract and even unnerve. The so-called “Trump Slump,” ongoing Middle East conflicts, and economic uncertainty in key regions all contributed to volatility.

But one thing remained true: past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Just because a particular investment or market trend performed a certain way in 2025 doesn’t mean it will do the same in 2026 or beyond. What really matters is whether your investments are aligned with your timeframes, your risk tolerance, and your goals.

That’s what we mean when we talk about financial advice for life.

We help our clients structure their investments in a way that recognises the difference between short-term and long-term goals. Short-term goals need stability, things like bank deposits or bonds. Long-term goals? That’s where shares and growth assets can shine, even if the journey gets bumpy along the way.

And diversification is key – not just across different banks, but across countries, industries, currencies, and investment types. A well-diversified portfolio can include thousands of assets, spreading risk and giving you more resilience when the unexpected happens.

As one of our clients put it:
“I was always going to sort out a savings plan for retirement—it was one of those ‘one day I must’ projects.”

If 2025 taught us anything, it’s that having a plan brings peace of mind, even in uncertain times. So if your “one day” is still sitting on the to-do list, let’s make 2026 the year you take action.