Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Home / 233

Asset class performance and lessons in 2017

Better than as good as it gets

2017 goes down in history as the 6th consecutive year of positive real total returns from all major asset classes for Australian investors – Australian shares, global shares, Australian and global bonds, listed and unlisted commercial property, housing and bank deposits. Six straight years when everything went up has never happened before in history.

Click chart to enlarge

The next longest period was four positive years in 1925-28 during the great post-war housing and government spending boom. No prizes for what happened next: the 1929 crash, 1930s depression and defaults by NSW and Commonwealth governments.

Periods of negative real returns from the major asset classes together are relatively rare and short-lived. There were only four individual years where major asset classes posted negative returns together:

  • 1912 –War build-up in Europe, US dismantling the Money Trusts, Titanic sinking
  • 1941 – Hitler invading Russia, Pearl Harbour bombing, Japanese army storming down through Asia.
  • 1948 – Industrial unrest, communist agitators, Australian bank nationalisation crisis, Soviet blockade of Berlin
  • 1973 – Australian monetary tightening, severe credit squeeze, Britain entering ECM, USD devaluation, Yom Kippur oil crisis

What is the common thread that runs through all of these positive and negative return periods? Inflation.

Each of the periods of across-the-board negative real returns had high inflation. Conversely, each of the periods of across-the-board positive real returns had low inflation, including the current six-year rally.

Will markets remain positive for another year to make it seven years in a row? All types of assets everywhere are expensive, but shares, property and bonds tend to do well when inflation and interest rates are low. The good news is that inflation and interest rates are still very low in Australia and around the world and are likely to remain that way for some time yet.

Portfolios and lessons

With each of the main asset classes posting positive returns in 2017 it was difficult to lose money.

Click chart to enlarge

The active positions that paid off for investors in 2017 include:

  • In Australian shares – bias toward small/medium versus large companies paid off as the big banks dragged on the market
  • In global shares – over-weighting ‘emerging markets’ shares paid off as Chinese tech stocks in particular were very strong
  • In global shares – bias toward hedged versus unhedged as the AUD rose
  • Within fixed rate bonds – bias toward corporate versus government bonds paid off as credit spreads contracted but no benefits from running floating versus fixed rate bonds.

As far as regrets go, it is easy to look back with the benefit of hindsight and say (for example), “We should have had more global shares”. However, it was hard to argue for an overweighting to global shares when they were so expensive at the start of the year and with the Brexit vote and Trump election so fresh in the minds of our investors.

 

Ashley Owen is Chief Investment Officer at advisory firm Stanford Brown and The Lunar Group. He is also a Director of Third Link Investment Managers, a fund that supports Australian charities. This article is general information that does not consider the circumstances of any individual.

 


 

Leave a Comment:

RELATED ARTICLES

Only 2.4% of companies deliver all net shareholder wealth

Spotting signs of trouble in a retirement portfolio

Where do Australian share returns come from?

banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Finding the best income-yielding assets

With fixed term deposit rates declining and bank hybrids being phased out, what are the best options for investors seeking income? This goes through the choices, and the opportunities and risks involved.

What history reveals about market corrections and crashes

The S&P 500's recent correction raises concerns about a bear market. History shows corrections are driven by high rates, unemployment, or global shocks, and that there's reason for optimism for nervous investors today. 

Howard Marks: the investing game has changed

The famed investor says the rapid switch from globalisation to trade wars is the biggest upheaval in the investing environment since World War Two. And a new world requires a different investment approach.

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 605 with weekend update

Trump's tariffs and China's retaliatory strike have sent the Nasdaq into a bear market with the S&P 500 not far behind. What are the implications for the economy and markets, and what should investors do now? 

  • 3 April 2025

Designing a life, with money to spare

Are you living your life by default or by design? It strikes me that many people are doing the former and living according to others’ expectations of them, leading to poor choices including with their finances.

World's largest asset manager wants to revolutionise your portfolio

Larry Fink is one of the smartest people in the finance industry. In his latest shareholder letter, the Blackrock CEO outlines his quest to become the biggest player in private assets and upend investor portfolios.

Latest Updates

Investment strategies

An enlightened dividend path

While many chase high yields, true investment power lies in companies that steadily grow dividends. This strategy, rooted in patience and discipline, quietly compounds wealth and anchors investors through market turbulence.

Investment strategies

Don't let Trump derail your wealth creation plans

If you want to build wealth over the long-term, trying to guess the stock market's next move is generally a bad idea. In a month where this might be more tempting than ever, here is what you should focus on instead.

Economics

Pros and cons of Labor's home batteries scheme

Labor has announced a $2.3 billion Cheaper Home Batteries Program, aimed at slashing the cost of home batteries. The goal is to turbocharge battery uptake, though practical difficulties may prevent that happening.

Investment strategies

Will China's EV boom end in tears?

China's EV dominance is reshaping global auto markets - but with soaring tariffs, overcapacity, and rising scrutiny, the industry’s meteoric rise may face a turbulent road ahead. Can China maintain its lead - or will it stall?

Investment strategies

REITs: a haven in a Trumpian world?

Equity markets have been lashed by Trump's tariff policies, yet REITs have outperformed. Not only are they largely unaffected by tariffs, but they offer a unique combination of growth, sound fundamentals, and value.

Shares

Why Europe is back on the global investor map

European equities are surging ahead of the U.S this year, driven by strong earnings, undervaluation, and fiscal stimulus. With quality founder-led firms and a strengthening Euro, Europe may be the next global investment hotspot.

Chalmers' disingenuous budget claims

The Treasurer often touts a $207 billion improvement in Australia's financial position. A deeper look at the numbers reveals something less impressive, caused far more by commodity price surprises than policy.

Fixed interest

Duration: Friend or foe in a defensive allocation?

Duration is back. After years in the doghouse, shifting markets and higher yields are restoring its role as a reliable diversifier and income source - offering defensive strength in today’s uncertain environment.

Sponsors

Alliances

© 2025 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer
The data, research and opinions provided here are for information purposes; are not an offer to buy or sell a security; and are not warranted to be correct, complete or accurate. Morningstar, its affiliates, and third-party content providers are not responsible for any investment decisions, damages or losses resulting from, or related to, the data and analyses or their use. To the extent any content is general advice, it has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892), without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Articles are current as at date of publication.
This website contains information and opinions provided by third parties. Inclusion of this information does not necessarily represent Morningstar’s positions, strategies or opinions and should not be considered an endorsement by Morningstar.