2016: A year of surprises.

As we come to the close of 2016, this week we at Bourse review the performance of the major international markets throughout the year. This year can quite aptly be described as the year of surprises, as investors and markets alike witnessed the most unlikely of outcomes in terms of global events. Included among these events was the decision by Britain to exit the European Union (Brexit), the victory of Donald Trump in the U.S. elections, the agreement by O.P.E.C. and non-O.P.E.C. countries on a supply cut in oil production and most recently the announcement of a faster-than-expected path of US interest rate increases. Against this backdrop, investors will be looking ahead to 2017 as a year which promises both opportunity and volatility. We discuss 2016 briefly and consider just how investors might position their portfolios for the upcoming year.