🚨 A warning for 2024

Here's what happened in the stock market this year, and what could come next | [Finimize](   TOGETHER WITH   Hi {NAME}, here's what you need to know for December 29th in 3:09 minutes.   🥳 The bells beckon: in a couple of days, we'll be dancing the night away and toasting to a brand-new year. But before that, we have some more couch-dwelling to do. We'll meet you back here on January 3rd to get the year off to a smart start. Today's big stories - 2023 went down as one of the most surprising years in the stock market history books - A little-known genius predictor of stock market returns is looking ominous – [Read Now]( - Next year could be a less tumultuous time – but only if artificial intelligence stays at bay Cool, Calm, And Respected [Cool, Calm, And Respected] What’s going on here? The stock market pulled off an underdog story that Hallmark movies could only envy, emerging as a hero after months of non-stop drama. What does this mean? Economists weren’t especially hopeful about 2023. They might’ve had aspirations of happy homes and exotic vacations, sure, but that was dampened by their predictions of recessions littering the world’s economies. After all, hampered supply chains were driving inflation higher, and central banks were fighting back with economy-bruising interest rate hikes. By most accounts, stocks should’ve ended up in the dumps. Yet, US and European indexes are closing out the year around all-time highs, while Japan’s stocks are at their highest in over four decades. Why should I care? For markets: Money talks. If your festive lunch turned serious, you likely heard pundits praise the end of interest rate hikes for bringing about stocks’ newfound sprightliness. With inflation finally headed toward central banks’ targets, they can start holding rates where they are – or even trimming them back down – to stabilize their economies. But that doesn’t quite explain it: interest rates are way above their ultra-low levels from a couple of years ago, and yet stocks are near their peaks despite there being no sign of a return to those lower rates of yesteryear. The difference, then, may be down to companies’ savvy cost management, with many prudent firms passing their higher costs onto customers to protect their bottom line, making their stocks look like decent bets even in trying times. Zooming in: It’s the most wonderful rally of the year. Look at the world through a star-spangled lens, and it’s impossible to ignore artificial intelligence’s influence on the US market. The tech blew up in January when Microsoft bought 49% of ChatGPT-creator OpenAI for $10 billion, lending credibility to the theme previously most famous for dystopian movies. Investors then rushed toward any super-smart-tech-related stock to emulate the titan’s move, a flurry that meant the industry’s stocks were responsible for most of the S&P 500’s progress this year. You might also like: [‘Tis the season to rebalance your portfolio](. Copy to share story: [( 🙋 [Ask a question](mailto:questions@finimize.com?body=Ask us a question: Where are you writing from? Let us know and we'll mention it when we reply.&noapp=true&subject=Cool, Calm, And Respected&utm_campaign=daily-global-29-12-2023&utm_source=email) Analyst Take This Secret Indicator Is Genius. And It’s Trying To Give You A Warning [This Secret Indicator Is Genius. And It’s Trying To Give You A Warning]( [Photo of Stéphane Renevier, CFA] Stéphane Renevier, CFA, Analyst When it comes to forecasting long-term stock returns, more than a dozen models are competing for the title of “[world’s greatest predictor](”. But [one obscure choice]( is head and shoulders above the rest. For me, it’s the most important one for long-term investors. And right now, [its message]( isn't exactly brimming with optimism. So that’s today’s Insight: [a secret indicator has a warning, so here’s what it’s trying to tell you](. [Read or listen to the Insight here]( SPONSORED BY STANSBERRY RESEARCH All that glitters could be gold in 2024 In 2023, gold outperformed every other major asset class. And one firm thinks the precious metal’s only just getting started… [Stansberry Research]( is expecting a serious [gold run]( in 2024: it sees the metal climbing above $3,000 per oz by the end of the year. That’s about a [50% increase]( versus gold’s price right now. Why? Stansberry’s market research showed that uncertainty is high at the moment, with no sign of things changing any time soon. And gold is one of the oldest [“safe haven” assets]( around. (That’s an investment expected to keep or grow its value in times of market turbulence.) So Stansberry’s put together a strategy to [profit from an increase in gold’s price](, and they’re giving you unfettered access. [Get your free report today]( for all the lustrous details. [Find Out More]( DisclaimerThis ad is sent on behalf of Stansberry Research, 1125 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201. Privacy Policy. [( When you support our sponsors, you support us. Thanks for that. And, Breathe [And, Breathe] What’s going on here? The stock market’s set up for a calmer year in 2024, although investors may end up nostalgic over the dizzy spells of 2023. What does this mean? Most folk will wake up on January 1st with a thumping headache and an unquenchable thirst. But there’s more than bacon and electrolytes on hand to keep you steady: with inflation letting up, interest rate cuts ahead, and optimistic company forecasts, 2024 could be a much calmer year for investors. Thing is, the effect of most of those market catalysts will already have been baked into stock prices, meaning it’ll take some even better – and most importantly, unexpected – news to pull the market even higher. Why should I care? For markets: Apocalypse later. Artificial intelligence could become that surprise – but hopefully a pleasant one. If the tech manages to trickle into non-tech firms, cutting their costs and plumping their profits, it could spark something special in the market. But that’s the most optimistic outcome: artificial intelligence could wipe us out sooner than you could say “I, Robot”, but it’ll likely land somewhere in the middle, cruising through more development stages without transforming the world of business (yet). The bigger picture: Patience is a virtue. Mind you, if you’re laser-focused on 2024, you’ve already put yourself at a disadvantage. The virtues of investing with a long-term view have been celebrated for centuries, and for good reason. If you believe that economies will develop over time, which they tend to do as populations grow and productivity improves, then you’ll expect company profits to plod along too. So if you like it simple and have the patience, holding a bet on the market for years is hard to beat. You might also like: [Tech stocks, ahem, sleigh-ed the market in 2023](. Copy to share story: [( 🙋 [Ask a question](mailto:questions@finimize.com?body=Ask us a question: Where are you writing from? Let us know and we'll mention it when we reply.&noapp=true&subject=And, Breathe&utm_campaign=daily-global-29-12-2023&utm_source=email) 💬 Quote of the day "The less you talk, the more you're listened to." – Pauline Phillips (an American advice columnist and radio show host) [Tweet this]( 🪧 Forget the billboards Old-school tactics won't engage [modern investors](. Capturing the attention of clued-in whippersnappers takes something a little more [up-to-date]( – like a [promotional partnership]( with Finimize. [Get In Touch]( 🎯 On Our Radar 1. Not a club entry fee in sight. New Year's Eve can be best [spent at home](. 2. AI-enhanced investing is here. Unlock the [control of a brokerage, smarts of AI, and guidance of an advisor]( with Magnifi.* 3. Partnerships are done for. [Wildflowers don't need insects]( to pollinate anymore. 4. NFT games have become a big hit among gamers and investors alike. Let's look into the [two most popular NFT gaming projects](.* 5. Online shopping is overrated. Discover [retail therapy with a view](. When you support our sponsors, you support us. Thanks for that. SPONSORED BY HEALTHWORDS.AI [HEALTHWORDS.AI]( 🌍 Finimize Live 🤩 Coming Up Soon... All events in UK time. 💸 [Your 2024 Crypto Investing Roadmap](: 5pm, January 16th ❤️ Share with a friend Thanks for reading {NAME}. If you liked today's brief, we'd love for you to share it with a friend. You stay classy, {NAME} 😉 We’d love to hear your thoughts. [Give feedback]( Want to advertise with us too? [Get in touch]( Image Credits: Image credits: shutterstock | shutterstock Preferences: [Update your email]( or [change preferences]( [View in browser]( [Unsubscribe]( from all Finimize Emails 😴 Crafted by Finimize Ltd. | 280 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 4AG All content provided by Finimize Ltd. is for informational and educational purposes only and is not meant to represent trade or investment recommendations. You signed up to this mailing list at finimize.com or through one of our partners. © Finimize 2021 [View Online](