Ritu also provides a review of market trends in December as global equities closed one of the strongest years since the post-crisis recovery. Emerging markets continued to rally and were the top performing region for 2017.
Energy stocks led in December on the stronger oil price, but energy was one of the weaker sectors over the year. Technology was the outright winner in 2017.
Elsewhere, oil rallied in December as various supply disruptions drove prices higher, finishing 2017 on a new high, while in the currency markets, the dollar continued to weaken against the majors.
The value of investments will fluctuate, which will cause prices to fall as well as rise and investors may not get back the original amount they invested. Where past performance is referenced, please note that this is not a guide to future performance.