Great expectations for the year ahead
Given the challenges of the past two years we could be forgiven for focusing on life’s trials and tribulations as a new year dawns. However, while concerns about supply chain disruption, new COVID variants and rising inflation may be disconcerting for investors, all the signs are that the coming 12 months will be a time of opportunity as well as risk, as we move towards a postpandemic future.
Recovery continues
In its final 2021 assessment of economic prospects, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted a continuation of the global recovery in 2022, with the world economy forecast to grow by 4.9% this year. The international soothsayer did, however, acknowledge that the degree of uncertainty surrounding future prospects has risen with policy choices becoming more difficult and increasingly complex.
Inflation-proof your wealth
In particular, concerns surrounding global supply chain issues and rising inflation have created a policy dilemma for central banks. These twin concerns have also heightened
the need for investors to employ careful and considered strategic thinking in order to reposition their portfolios to take advantage of new growth opportunities while ensuring
their wealth is inflation proofed.
Beware investment scams
Although the spectre of rising inflation is expected to see central banks tighten monetary policy as the year progresses, deposit-based savings rates are forecast to remain at historically low levels. Such meagre returns have prompted many savers to shift their money into investments, with research* suggesting over half of all adults have done so. This move though has raised concerns that unrealistically high return expectations could leave some investors susceptible to investment scams.
Advice remains key
While the coming year is sure to present ongoing challenges for investors, the key to successful investing will remain the adoption of a carefully considered strategy based on sound financial
planning principles. Attractive investment opportunities are likely to present as 2022 unfolds and, with our help and careful repositioning of your portfolio, you should be able to make the most of these as and when they arise.
*Aegon, 2021
The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. The past is not a guide to future performance and past performance may not necessarily be repeated.
