December 2006 saw the Redux Global ICT 100 Index post another all-time high. Overall it gained 2.35%. taking it to 1225.73. This compares too 1197.64 at the end of November.

For 2006 as a whole, the R-100 has lifted 13.7% despite a mid-year blip epitomised by a 5.5% fall in May. Further analysis of the year will appear here in the next few days.

In December, EMEA led the way with a 4.2% increase. Of 40 stocks, 35 were in positive territory for the month with four in decline and one unchanged.

Asia meanwhile was up 3.7%, with 15 gainers, four decliners and one unchanged. Asia has shown six consecutive moths in positive territory despite a degree of turmoil in markets such as Japan and Korea.

The Americas were perhaps most volatile. At 0.9% rise was registered with heavyweight rises and significant falls all but cancelling each other out. 23 stocks ended the year with a positive month;s trading; 15 headed in the opposite direction; two were unchanged.

Globally, ‘old technology’ stocks and traditional telcos finished the year on the strongest note; newer Internet plays, particularly on the NASDAQ, were weaker, surrendering many of the gains from October and November.

Quarter by quarter through the year, the R-100 rose by 2.7% in January-March, fell by 5.5% in April-June, recovered by 7.3% in July-September and added 9.2% in the three months to the year’s end.

More of the same in 2007 and a Happy New Year for investors? We’ll see.
Jim Chalmers