For those of us in careers that deal with the financial markets, I guess most years are interesting. But as we said many times in 2023, it was a particularly interesting year that we watched unfold. News events and circumstances both domestically and around the world were significant.  98% of the stock market behaved about like the year dictated – Plenty of negative along with some positive and, until late November, pretty much flat for the year.    Seven stocks that are now affectionately known as the “Magnificent 7” performed upward into a difficult to explain stratosphere because they were all connected in some important way with this arriving world of Artificial Intelligence and the significant impact this is going to have on our world as the days unfold. . .and I do say “days”, as computerized delivery of human thought and action very much HAS arrived in our daily existence and is proliferating more by the week and month.

The behavior of these large technology stocks along with the possible END of Federal Reserve economic tightening maneuvers brought most boats up with its tide and the finish to 2023 was a solid up year for the markets with only a few exceptions.  Most of the 98% rallied in various forms and gave us the result of the major indices turning out rosy.  Considering that we wondered if the banking system was going down back in March and we wondered if Fed rate hikes were going to send interest rates through the roof and we wondered if Ukraine or the Middle East or China-Taiwan would produce larger global upheaval, we will take it. 

Although artificial intelligence is here to stay, it is difficult to know whether earnings expectations for these seven are appropriate. These companies look strong, but the market has a way of “dealing with” those who believe a theme or sector is invincible.  My concern is simply whether it will be a tad slower to unfold from the standpoint of earnings of these technology corporations. . .which is ultimately where the rubber meets the road in stock market behavior.

I wish you well. I could say a lot more, but I am humble and aware of the abundance of writings, blogs and market outlooks of our “world” these days. . .found everywhere on TV, Internet media, and social media. I will honor “brevity” and preserve longer conversations for my individual talks with clients. As always, I look forward to those meaningful conversations.

We are here to serve and help you navigate:  Retirement, retirement income planning, Social Security planning, Medicare and healthcare planning, tax planning, markets and risk exposure and risk management – All relevant topics. These and many more topics are how we help sort through the fray and navigate successfully through each year. Call us and continue to share what’s on your mind when it comes to financial planning and investment planning.  Read up on all the stock market outlooks for the new year (including Raymond James’) and you will find:  No one (and no computer) knows for sure. 

I wish you an uncommonly good year in 2024 – of good health and love and meaningful times. It is a privilege and honor to serve you.

Key