The year 2024 was a remarkable period for equity investors, with exciting technological advancements, welcomed interest rate cuts, and resilient consumer spending. As we look back, several key trends and events stand out that shaped the global investment environment.
Investors faced many challenges in 2023 including elevated inflation, interest rate hikes, geopolitical conflicts, and a slowing global economy. Those who were patient and rode out the volatility were rewarded. After several years of challenging returns, equity and bond prices rose amid signs of a slowing global economy and the possibility that central banks will begin to cut interest rates in 2024.
2022 was a tumultuous year for investors, to say the least. Markets around the world were affected by high inflation, rising interest rates, and concerns about slowing economic growth in 2023.
The investment landscape during the past couple of years has looked a bit like that of a road trip, complete with detours and bumps along the way.