2025

For definitions and explanations of the numbers and charts below, read this article.

Summary

• Asset classes: Top Gold +63.68% vs. Bottom Bitcoin USD -6.27% vs. All Country World Index +22.41%
• Countries: Top Korea, Republic of +95.38% vs. Bottom Saudi Arabia -8.22% vs. All Country World Index +22.41%
• Volatility: Short-Term 14.90 vs. Medium-Term 20.92 vs. 10-Year Average 18.46
• Currencies: Top EUR Index +10.64% vs. Bottom USD Index -4.95%
• US sectors: Top Technology +24.60% vs. Bottom Consumer Staples +1.53% vs. S&P-500 Index +17.85%
• Pfolio portfolios: Top Stock - Crypto - High Volatility +52.74% vs. Bottom ETF - ESG - Low Volatility +6.82% vs. All Country World Index +22.41%

Markets

Asset classes

Gold had its best year in the last 45 years with a return of 63.68%; all other major asset classes with positive returns, except for the US Dollar and Bitcoin.

Cumulative return, 2025

Country equity markets

Korea, Peru, and Spain with exceptionally high returns (95.38%, 86.48%, and 77.96% respectively); all other countries with positive returns, except for Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

Cumulative return, vs. All Country World Index, 2025

Volatility

Short-term volatility closed low and below the 10-year average of 18.46, with only one major spike in April 2025 as a result of Trump's "Liberation Day" tariff announcement.

S&P-500 Index's implied volatility based on CBOE Volatility Index (VIX)

Currencies

Strong performance of the European currencies, the Euro, the Swiss Franc, and the British Pound at expense of the Japanese Yen and the US Dollar.

Cumulative return, 2025

US sectors

All 11 US sectors in the green, with Technology in the number one spot and Consumer Staples in last place.

Cumulative return, vs. S&P-500 Index, 2025

Portfolios

Pfolio portfolios

All eight pfolio portfolios with positive returns, with three portfolios outperforming the All Country World Index. Six out of eight portfolios with higher risk-adjusted returns (Sharpe Ratio) than the All Country World Index.

Cumulative return, vs. All Country World Index, 2025