Alec Cutler: Is it the end of the road for 60/40?

clock • 5 min read

Alec Cutler takes a look at the traditional 60/40 portfolio and says its days are numbered...

To paraphrase Dickens, 2020 was - for markets - the best of times and the worst of times. It was the best of times for passive investors in the classic portfolio of 60% global stocks and 40% global government bonds— the "60/40". As central banks around the world fired up their printing presses in March, bond yields fell, and those falling bond yields benefitted passive 60/40 investors in three big ways. First, falling yields pushed global government bonds to a strong 6% return in GBP, despite starting the year with an average yield of just 1%. Second, falling yields helped bonds to...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Investment

Consultancy launches to provide IFAs with 'robust' investment processes

Consultancy launches to provide IFAs with 'robust' investment processes

Sheridan Admans launches Infundly

Isabel Baxter
clock 06 November 2025 • 1 min read
Inflation protection not front of mind for financial advisers

Inflation protection not front of mind for financial advisers

Titan Square Mile report suggests

Jen Frost
clock 04 November 2025 • 3 min read
Trick or treat? The UK and global economy face their Halloween ghosts

Trick or treat? The UK and global economy face their Halloween ghosts

‘Wealth managers and market professionals are tiptoeing past economic graveyards’

Stephen Jones
clock 31 October 2025 • 4 min read