One private investor’s growth-focused Stocks and Shares ISA has surged approximately 15% since January, outpacing both the FTSE 100 and S&P 500 in 2026.
The strong performance has not come without turbulence, with the portfolio dipping into negative territory at various points during the early months of the year.
Despite the rocky start, the investor capitalised on periods of weakness by systematically drip-feeding capital into selected US growth stocks while broader sentiment remained subdued.
Shopify and CrowdStrike (NASDAQ: CRWD) have been among the standout performers, with both stocks surging strongly after the investor accumulated positions during periods of weakness.
Not every holding has delivered such strong results, with Intuitive Surgical and MercadoLibre lagging and partially offsetting some of the more explosive gains elsewhere in the portfolio.
The investor credits diversification and a long-term mindset as key factors in navigating the volatility that has characterised markets throughout the year so far.
CrowdStrike’s latest quarterly results have been a significant driver of confidence, with revenue jumping 26% year on year to $1.47bn and annual recurring revenue climbing 25% to $5.84bn.
Net new recurring revenue surged 51% to a record $333m, while free cash flow hit a record $377m, prompting management to upgrade full-year guidance for the cybersecurity business.
Despite the exceptional operational performance, the investor has begun trimming their CrowdStrike position, citing a valuation of roughly 208 times forecast earnings and 49 times trailing sales as increasingly difficult to justify.
With geopolitical tensions rising and inflation returning as a concern, the investor is building up a cash reserve inside the ISA to deploy opportunistically if a sharp market selloff materialises.
The strategy reflects a broader shift toward caution, balancing the desire to remain invested in high-quality growth names while protecting gains accumulated during the first half of the year.
Zaven Boyrazian, who authored the original investment commentary, owns shares in CrowdStrike Holdings, Intuitive Surgical, MercadoLibre, and Shopify.