The MSCI World Healthcare Net Return (NR) Index rose 3.1% in December 2020, compared with a 4.3% gain for the MSCI World NR Index. As regards GICS sector performances, Healthcare (+14.1%) closed the year in the top half of the table. The sector’s gain came with much lower volatility (25.5%) than that of all other sectors, except for Consumer Staples (21.8%).

The MSCI World Healthcare Net Return (NR) Index rose by 9.0% in November 2020 and the MSCI World NR Index gained 12.8%. November was the best month for global equities year-to-date (12.8%), with cyclicals outperforming defensive sectors.

The MSCI World Healthcare Net Return (NR) Index posted a -4.88% loss in October 2020. The MSCI World NR Index was down -3.07%. Global equity markets remained volatile during the month. The rising number of COVID-19 cases and new containment measures lead to a deja-vu correction in the last few days of October.