Fidelity Global Shares fund performance
How has the fund performed?
The chart above shows the yearly performance of the Fidelity Global Shares fund. In total over the last five years, the fund is up 80.04%. And this year, from 1 January 2026 to 30 June 2026, the fund is up 10.28%.
For context, over the same period of 1 January 2026 to 30 June 2026 the highest advertised Cash ISA rate available on 30 June 2026 would have so far returned around 2.29%, assuming interest was accrued over the same period.1
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you could get back less than you invest. Your personal returns may differ depending on when you invested.
What happened in the first half of 2026
The first half of 2026 was anything but quiet for global markets – but the fund proved its resilience through a turbulent period.
The year started on a cautiously optimistic note, with resilient economic growth, a positive corporate earnings outlook, and expectations of continued interest rate cuts. Global stocks rallied in the opening weeks of the year, with a notable broadening of the rally beyond the large-cap growth stocks that have dominated markets in recent years.
That optimism was then tested. In late February, the US–Iran conflict began, disrupting global energy markets – particularly shipping through the Strait of Hormuz – and driving sharp volatility in oil prices and a selloff across risk assets.
Brent crude surged from around $72 to over $100 per barrel, and global stocks broadly declined through Q1. However, markets proved their characteristic resilience. The S&P 500 ultimately bottomed on 30 March, and from that point staged a strong recovery – mirroring the historical pattern of markets bouncing back after geopolitical shocks.
By early June, emerging market stocks had gained more than 20% year-to-date, while US large-cap stocks stood nearly 16% above their March low. Confidence in ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East grew, and stocks finished May on their longest winning streak since 2023.
The combination of improving economic activity and strong corporate earnings – driven significantly by an AI capital expenditure cycle – helped explain the general resilience of markets across the first half of 2026.
As a result of this volatile but ultimately resilient period, the Fidelity Global Shares fund experienced a choppy first half, with sharp falls in late February and March followed by a meaningful recovery. The fund’s broad global diversification – across regions and sectors – helped cushion the energy-driven shock and capture the subsequent rebound.
Every tax year you get a £20,000 ISA allowance – and once it’s gone, it’s gone. If you haven’t got a Stocks & Shares ISA with Moneybox yet, opening one lets you invest in funds like Fidelity Global Shares.
Looking ahead for the rest of 2026
Commentary from Brian Byrnes, Director of Personal Finance at Moneybox
The first half of 2026 has reminded investors that markets can be resilient even when the world feels anything but stable. For investors in a globally diversified fund like this one, that is an important lesson.
Companies’ profits are growing faster than they were last year, supported by a raft of them investing heavily in AI and infrastructure – a combination that has historically been positive for stocks. And it’s not just the big players driving returns anymore – a broader range of companies and markets are contributing, which is exactly what a globally diversified fund is built to benefit from.
That said, risks remain. Higher inflation, ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, and policy unpredictability may lead to more frequent bouts of volatility in the second half of 2026. The situation in the Middle East is not fully resolved, and energy prices could still be subject to supply shocks.
The good news for investors in the Fidelity Global Shares fund is that its diversification across regions and industries is precisely designed for environments like this one – capturing growth opportunities globally while spreading risk across many different companies and sectors.
If the volatility of early 2026 gave you pause, you’re not alone – but the fund’s recovery shows the value of staying invested. Top up today if you can.
1 Top easy access rate paying 4.63% AER at time of writing.
Historically, money invested for longer than five years grows more than cash. Investments can go up and down in value, which means you could lose money depending on when you sell.
We do not offer personal financial advice or make specific recommendations based on your individual circumstances. If needed, seek independent financial advice before making decisions regarding your financial goals.