🚀 December 2024 Performance Update: Year-End Trends and 2025 Outlook
📊 December at a Glance: Category Performance Overview
December delivered an average return of +0.6% across all alternative asset categories, bringing the YTD performance to +3.0%. While many categories ended the year on a high note, some traditional safe havens, like precious metals (-2.4%), faced challenges.
Here are the highlights:
- Top Performers: LEGO (+2.7%), Travel Luggage (+2.1%), Music Instruments (+2.0%), and Art (+1.7%).
- Recovery Signs: Diamonds gained +1.4%, bouncing back from a slump in the second half of the year.
- Challenges Persist: Precious Metals and Wine struggled, though Italy’s wine market showed resilience compared to Burgundy.
🌟 Top Categories: LEGO & Travel Luggage
🎁 LEGO (+2.7% December)
Holiday-driven demand pushed LEGO to the top spot this month. The LEGO Christmas Release gained +7.29%, underscoring its status as a seasonal favorite for collectors and investors alike.
🧳 Travel Luggage (+2.1% December)
Functional luxury continues to shine, with the Rimowa x Aimé Leon Dore suitcase (set of 4) climbing +2.95%. This performance reflects sustained interest in high-quality, limited-edition luggage.
🌟 Other Categories:
🎨 Art (+1.7% December)
Art was 2024’s best-performing category, driven by demand for modern and contemporary works. December’s standout was Winston Branch’s Untitled, 1997, which gained +17.69%. Collectors continued to diversify into emerging, mid-career, and underrepresented artists.
📅 2025 Outlook:
The art market is poised for continued stability, with growing interest in emerging artists and digital art. High-net-worth investors remain optimistic about its future.
👟 Sneakers (+1.1% December)
Sneakers continued their ascent, fueled by demand for rare, limited-edition releases. The top performer in December was the Nike SB Dunk Low Yellow Lobster (1-of-36), up +5.36%. Investors targeted exclusive collaborations and preserved pairs to capitalize on this growing market.
📅 2025 Outlook:
Expect more growth driven by cultural milestones and celebrity-backed collaborations. Ultra-limited editions will likely hold the highest investment value in the resale market.
🥃 Whisky Casks & Bottles (+0.7% December)
Whisky delivered steady growth, with casks outperforming bottles. December’s leader was the Glentauchers Red-Wine Cask Finish 2014, which gained +1.05%. Rare bottles like The Brollach – Bottle No. 406 also saw niche gains at +1.19%.
📅 2025 Outlook:
The whisky market is expected to stabilize, with rising global demand. Investors should prioritize premium Scotch casks and collectible bottles tied to iconic distilleries.
🃏 Sports Cards (+1.4% December)
Sports cards gained traction every month since their July 2024 debut, with December seeing a +1.4% increase. The standout was the Victor Wembanyama 2023-24 Panini Instant Rookie Full Spurs Logos /2 x 2, up +6.24%.
Notable Sale:
- The 2018 Shohei Ohtani Topps Transcendent '52 Topps Autographs SuperFractor Rookie Card (1/1) sold for $246,440, marking a key moment for active-player cards.
📅 2025 Outlook:
The sports card market is set to grow, driven by diverse collectors and online platforms. Focus remains on cards of legendary players and historical significance for long-term value.
🍷 Wine (-1.1% December | -4.2% YTD)
The wine market faced challenges in 2024, with Burgundy seeing the steepest declines. However, Italy emerged as a bright spot, showing resilience in a turbulent market.
📅 2025 Outlook:
Optimism persists for premium regions like Bordeaux, Champagne, and Burgundy. Long-term interest in fine wine signals potential for recovery despite economic uncertainties.
⌚ Watches (-0.1% December | -5.3% YTD)
The luxury watch market faced mixed results in December. Demand for standard models in the secondary market began to recover, but overall performance remained subdued.
📅 2025 Outlook:
High-end heritage brands and the secondhand market show promise, especially as more consumers seek pre-owned models amid economic pressures.
🔍 Standout Assets You Can Still Invest In
🎻 Violin Luigi Cardi, 1884, Verona: Gained +2% in December, reflecting the rarity of high-end instruments.
🚗 2002 Ferrari 360 Modena Manual: Increased by +1%, capturing collector interest due to its iconic design and analogue engineering.
🍾 Louis Roederer Cristal 2015 (90 bottles): New champagne collection up +0.7%, thanks to a favorable purchase price.
📈 Benchmarking: Splint vs. Traditional Markets
Traditional markets experienced slight corrections in December:
- SMI: -2.66%*
- S&P 500: -1.59%*
- DAX: +1.42%
- EuroStoxx 50: +1.67%
- Gold: +0.31%
* Performance was calculated in EUR.
Splint’s +0.6% average return demonstrated the strength of alternative investments in volatile times.
🏦 Splint Invest’s Diversified Strength
December showcased the power of alternative assets, with art, and collectibles leading gains. Splint Invest offers a world of opportunities, empowering investors to explore diverse categories, manage risks effectively, and position themselves for success in 2025.
✨ Invest in the extraordinary with Splint Invest.
Discover the highlights of Splint Invest’s November performance! This month, art, sneakers, and sports cards led the way, with standout assets delivering impressive returns. Meanwhile, categories like diamonds and wine faced challenges but represent only a fraction of our portfolio. Learn about exciting trends, including our latest successful exit with Salvador Dalí's Hidden Faces, achieving a net profit of 12.8%.
Since October has now passed and we’re already into November, we’re excited to share Splint Invest’s monthly performance update. While some asset categories experienced seasonal slowdowns, others remained steady, showing strong growth. This update provides insights into key asset pricing, highlighting top performers and new investment opportunities.
