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has understandably dropped off amid the pandemic , there are signs of this long-term focus returning to public consciousness and we will come back to the area later . While cases of that ‘ virus ’ had continued to escalate in China , numbers began picking up in the UK and other countries from March . This led to use of coronavirus spiking before giving way to COVID-19 and now well-worn phrases such as lockdown , social distancing , remote working and furlough ( the latter previously a military term ) in April and beyond as the grim reality hit home . To give a quick history lesson , the word coronavirus dates from the 1960s , but before 2020 it was largely the preserve of scientific and medical specialists . COVID-19 is a completely new word this year , first recorded on 11 February in a report by the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) as an abbreviation of coronavirus disease 2019 . These early stages also saw the description of the disease move from epidemic , meaning widespread in a community , to pandemic , where it has spread far more widely , across a whole country , multiple countries , or ultimately the world . Tracking the changing situation as the year progressed , we saw phrases such as shelter-in-place ( in the US ) and self-isolate , give way to reopening and easing in summer , with people able to form support bubbles with other households where necessary . As a second wave subsequently descended and new lockdowns were introduced , terms such as firebreak , circuit breaker and tier increased in September and October , all signifying different levels of restrictions around the world . Before the more positive vaccine news of recent months , the UK ’ s mounting desperation to apply positive spin to the situation was signified by the use of moonshot as the name of a mass testing programme , with this word rocketing to the top of usage charts in September . Another result of something so all-encompassing as COVID-19 has been a surge in amateur epidemiology , and the government ’ s own claim to be following the science is a phrase that has increased in frequency over 1,000 %. Most of us are now perfectly happy discussing superspreaders and the R number , with terms such as flattening the curve part of everyday small talk , as is ongoing concern at the lack of personal protective equipment . Beyond covid , black awareness rightfully gained greater prominence this year and Black Lives Matter rose in usage from June and remained high , as protests against law enforcement over the killings of George Floyd , Breonna Taylor and others have continued . This atmosphere was a key part of the US election , which proved among the most controversial in history . Much of the Trump camp ’ s attempt to interfere with the result focused on forcing recounts , with huge numbers of Americans voting by mail . Mail-in was therefore a heavily used phrase in autumn , with a 3,000 % rise compared to 2019 . By the end of 2020 , there were signs of people looking beyond a year of many challenges , with net zero in heavy use on the back of commitments to a green industrial revolution in the UK and the historic pledge by President Xi Jinping in September that China will be carbon neutral by 2060 . As we think about the coming 12 months , we would add our own word to the list in the shape of efficacy , with people around the world preoccupied with success rates of the various vaccines emerging to combat the virus . After a difficult year – and longer if we consider the shadow of trade wars – 2021 does at least promise the end of three market-influencing factors : the first is the transition from Donald Trump to Joe Biden , the second is a reduction in the impact of COVID-19 , and the third is the Brexit fiasco . There remains uncertainty in all three but , if nothing else , they should bring more clarity this year . This may help restore the disconnect between stock market hope and economic reality , which , for us , has continued to underpin – and simultaneously undermine – surging markets , particularly in the US where narrow tech leadership still prevails . P
John Husselbee is the co-fund manager for the DMS Verbatim Portfolio Growth Fund range , part of the Verbatim range of risk-managed multi-asset investment solutions . To find out more about how our investment solutions can support your proposition visit www . verbatimassetmanagement . co . uk or contact us on 0808 12 40 007 .
The value of investments and any income from them can go down as well as up and is not guaranteed . Your clients could get back less than they originally invested . Past performance is not a guide to future performance . The portfolios ’ investments are subject to normal fluctuations and other risks inherent when investing in securities . Verbatim Asset Management has taken due care and attention in preparing this document , which is solely for the use of professional advisers . Verbatim cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies arising out of information detailed within and will not accept liability for any loss arising out of or in connection with its use . The contents of this article should not be construed as advice and is for information only . Individual stock selection should only be performed by suitably qualified advisers .
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