Informed Decisions are one of Ireland’s only remaining independent financial advice firms. We specialise in retirement & investment planning for successful individuals, so that our clients only have to retire once.
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December 22, 2025
Welcome to the very last, and shortest, Informed Decisions Blog of 2025!
We've had a very interesting investment year so far, and I want to share some brief investment observations and comparisons of the year.
Also, I'll share a few acknowledgements of those that helped me and Informed Decisions during the year.
They say that 'eaten bread is soon forgotten', True or not, lets remind ourselves that 2024 saw an illustrative 80/20 portfolio of globally diversified equity and Bond funds deliver 20%+ total returns. It was a sensational year by any standard.
We entered 2025 with 'business as usual' mindset, except for the Donald's entrance and his tariff initiative looming!
Seems a long time ago now but these tariff announcements caused carnage in (most) markets in March and April 2025, with portfolios plummeting c20%-30% dependign on the gloabl allocations.
As with the Covid slump, markets didn't take long to rebound, fully recovering in c.6 weeks.
Two noticeable bolters from the pack were Europe and Emerging Market equities as a whole, which have become more in vogue, perhaps as diversified long-term investors recognise the folly of relying on a single economy and collection of companies for their financial futures.
Bonds were also back in vogue, which held firm during the market carnage of the time - showing their diversification-ability again.
And while volatility and fears loom (do they ever not??), 2025 returned c7% for a properly invested and patient investor of an illustrative 80/20 portfolio.
The below 80.20 portfolio titled ' Informed Decisions Model Portfolio' being an illustrative portfolio using Vanguard Global/Emerging/Small Cap/European/Bond Funds.
As you'll see from the above, slightly less than 7% returns for those investing in some of the most popular (equivalent 80/20) investment products in Ireland - but that's nothing new either is it!?
2025 saw Informed Decisions Financial Planning now working with c.80 households with their on-going financial planning.
Majority of these people are at the point where they are just about to or have recently retired. In our experience it is a time when we are moving from accumulating assets to Spending assets - and it's a challenging navigation for many of us. Having someone who works in partnership with them can make that journey more enjoyable and more successful. That's what we love to help nice people to do!
And this year saw us make a donation of €4,000 to Saint Vincent De Paul on behalf of clients, and in lieu of yet another bottle of wine!
We have supported Concerns and SVDP in recent years, and while it is always difficult to pick a beneficiary, we feel it is aligned with the values of people we work with.
And the people that continue to choose to work with us here ('our clients') are the first people I want to acknowledge - they really are, as a whole, a 'sound' group of people!
In 2025 we have continued to deliver the type of Independent Financial Advice and guidance to the people who choose to work with us. We have continued to grow organically, enjoying working with nice people, and doing so on a partnership and value-driven basis.
We have welcomed Aaron McElligott from Sligo to the team (who has hit the ground running!), and Siun Griffin and Aoife Lovett continue to be integral to delivering the proactive and professional service to the people we work with. Thank you to each of you guys.
And here are a some of the people that have supported us to ensure we deliver best in class service to those clients, and to each, a heart-felt thank you;
It is only when you are deeply involved in something that you fully appreciate ALL that goes into doing it properly! Whether that is making the Christmas Dinner or trying to do a good job via a service business, there are a lot of aspects that need to be done well for it all to come together properly!
And while we can and should strive for perfection, having a receptive and sound audience that recognise intent and good results, makes the process that bit more enjoyable!
So thank YOU!
And Merry Christmas.
Paddy Delaney QFA RPA APA
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Informed Decisions are one of Ireland’s only remaining independent financial advice firms. We specialise in retirement & investment planning for successful individuals, so that our clients only have to retire once.
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