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Market Update 12.31.23 Thumbnail

Market Update 12.31.23

Our Investment Perspective

As we close the books on 2023, we remain struck by the unusual performance disparity within the S&P 500. Despite many good reasons for investor apprehension, a handful of high-growth technology companies leapt higher, single-handedly boosting the entire index.   Looking at the Strategas Research chart to the left provides a clear explanation.  The chart illustrates the S&P 500 performance over the year, highlighting the two points where economic concerns prompted the U.S. Treasury to sharply increase liquidity.  Increased liquidity favors companies with high future growth expectations much more than the steady performers.  As a result, the size-weighted S&P 500, which is heavily tech-weighted, returned 26.3%.  The equal-weighted S&P 500 returned just 13.7%.  

Investors are starting 2024 with optimism.   The Federal Reserve has signalled that it is satisfied with its work to slow inflation and is done raising short-term rates.  The expectation that rate cuts are on the horizon boosted both stocks and bonds in the fourth quarter, to the point where the bond market is pricing in six rate cuts in 2024 despite the Federal Reserve’s Dot Plot indication of just three.   Valuations on stocks, particularly the technology stocks noted, are also high.

We anticipate a few ‘reality checks’, particularly in the first half of the year.  Vulnerabilities derived from high stock valuations, record levels of government debt, rising credit/default issues, and the possiblity of a second wave of inflation bring headline risks.  Inflation has come down significantly from its recent highs, but wage inflation, long-term costs of onshoring manufacturing, and higher shipping costs will have an impact.  Many container ships are being re-routed to avoid the Red Sea and Suez Canal, leading to long delays, and insurance rates for shipping will reflect the increased risk of geopolitical turmoil.  These are very recent developments that could impact inflation expectations and the Federal Reserve’s plans.

Despite these concerns, we are cautiously optimistic for 2024, and plan to remain fully invested in well-diversified, quality companies.   Why?  This is an election year, and more importantly, a presidential reelection year.  Since 1944, we have not had a down year in the stock market in any year where the sitting president was up for re-election.  We anticipate a year of increased government spending, U.S. Treasury liquidity injections, possibly withdrawals from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to lower oil/gas prices, and tax cut proposals for the middle and lower income households.   Members of Congress who are also up for reelection will support these measures to keep the economy at full employment and avoid a recession.  This will not help our domestic outlook in the long-run, but should help support stocks this year.  As a former president once said, “The most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”


BUFFINGTON MOHR MCNEAL – REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISOR 

802 W. BANNOCK STREET, SUITE 100 – BOISE, IDAHO 83702 – 208-338-5551 

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