The balancing act

This issue looks at how the mix between bonds and stocks shapes long term outcomes. Using data from February 1979 to November 2025, the chart shows best, worst and average annual returns for portfolios ranging from 100% bonds to 100% stocks. Too little stock market risk and your portfolio may struggle to keep pace with inflation; too much risk and sharp drawdowns can tempt investors to act at the wrong time. Striking the right balance is essential, and it is not a 'set and forget' decision.

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AcuityINSIGHT: Keeping UK politics in perspectiveWith the recent changing of the guard in Downing Street, something that has become relatively common over the past decade, the financial media often focus on what this might mean for investors' portfolios. In this issue, we set out the clear distinction between what is happening in UK politics and w

AcuityINSIGHT: Stocks: a slice of the pieFollowing on from the previous 'Back to Basics' issue on bonds, this issue explores the other major building block of most investment portfolios: stocks. The article highlights some of the evidence behind sensible equity investing, including why owning a broadly diversified portfolio can be a more r

AcuityINSIGHT: Bonds: the basicsThe first in the back to basics series explores bonds, explaining what they are, how they work, why they are often described as fixed income, and the types of bonds typically included in sensible investment portfolios.

The balancing act

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