Shares that get our vote in 2016

THREE high stakes smallcap stocks that performed poorly against the backdrop of a rather choppy year for the equity markets dragged down the Mail’s model portfolio.

So, while the benchmark FTSE 100 fell 4.9pc in 2015, the City office’s stock picks were off 10.2pc.

This time last year things looked a lot rosier with strategists forecasting the bluechip index would breach 7,000 (which it did) and then motor on.

China put paid to predictions of a buoyant year for shares with its summer sell-off. It was no surprise then the riskier smaller stocks were swiftly jettisoned, while safe havens such as BT (up 16.3pc) were in demand.

Looking ahead, the performance of the world two largest economies (America and China) will direct sentiment and the oil wars have a few more months to run. ÷ Ian Lyall’s 2016 tip is May Air at 92.5p.