As we bid farewell to 2023, it’s time to reflect on the items that defined the financial markets over the past year. From economic recovery to global challenges, investors faced a myriad of opportunities and obstacles. Let’s delve into the key trends and events that shaped the financial landscape in 2023.
As a reminder, 2022 was a year that both the stock and bond markets had one of their worst years in over a decade. 2023 provided a recovery (albeit uneven), and the markets are tracking to finish in the positive, with gains in the ranges of 2.6% – 21.8% through December 11th based on the US Aggregate Bond Index and SP 500 index, respectively[1]. The ride for investors hasn’t been a smooth one, though. Most of the market’s gains came in just the first two and last three months of 2023.
[1] Source: JP Morgan Weekly Market Recap, 12/11/2023.
Economic Recovery
The year kicked off with cautious optimism as the global economy continued its recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This recovery boosted confidence among investors, paving the way for positive market sentiments. And though there were significant concerns over inflation and rising interest rates, the U.S. economy remained resilient, with corporate profits on the rise. Technology stocks regained their swagger in 2023, with the so-called “Magnificent 7” mega-cap tech stocks leading most of the gains in the US equity markets.
Inflation and Central Bank Policies
Inflation was a key theme throughout the year, prompting central banks to reassess their policies. Some adopted a more hawkish stance, raising interest rates to curb inflationary pressures. This shift led to market volatility as investors recalibrated their portfolios in response to changing monetary policies. Higher interest rates increase borrowing costs for consumers and companies, weighing on economic growth and profitability.
Due to rampant inflation in 2022, the Federal Reserve was forced to begin aggressively raising interest rates (starting in March 2022) in a campaign to bring down inflation. In 2023, investors saw signs that the Fed’s monetary policy tightening was paying off, dampening the rise of inflation without—at least so far—triggering a recession.
Year-over-year consumer price index (CPI) inflation peaked at 9.1% in June 2022 but had already dropped to 6.4% by January 2023. That downward trend continued throughout 2023, bringing CPI inflation down to just 3.2% as of October. While inflation remains well above the Fed’s long-term target of 2%, the central bank’s progress has allowed it to take the foot off the gas pedal in raising rates. The Federal Open Market Committee has issued just four rate hikes of 25 basis points each in 2023 and has not raised rates since July. High prices are still a source of frustration for consumers, but income growth has outpaced inflation since May, bolstering spending power.
Banking Crisis
The stock market’s stability and strong performance heading into 2024 are particularly impressive given how a regional banking crisis rattled the markets in the spring of 2023.
In a span of just a few weeks, mounting losses on cryptocurrency investments, sharp downturns in the value of bond portfolios and commercial real estate investments, not to mention aggressive runs on bank deposits, triggered the collapse of Silvergate Bank, Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and First Republic Bank. U.S. regional bank stock prices plummeted across the board as investors lost confidence in the banking industry and feared the contagion could spread to other banks as well.
A broader and deeper banking crisis was likely averted as the Federal Reserve stepped in. The central bank provided emergency loans to distressed banks. And it assured customers of the failed banks that they would fully recover their deposits even if they exceeded the $250,000 insurance guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Fed Chair Jerome Powell and U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen repeatedly reassured Americans that the banking industry was stable and their deposits were safe, and the brief banking crisis ultimately ended with relatively little disruption to equity markets.
Several larger banks, including JPMorgan Chase (JPM) and New York Community Bancorp (NYCB), also stepped in to acquire the assets of the failed banks.
Technological Innovation and Disruption
2023 witnessed a surge in technological innovation, with breakthroughs in areas like artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and biotechnology. Tech stocks soared as companies embraced advancements, contributing to the overall bullish market trend. However, regulatory scrutiny also intensified, addressing concerns about market concentration and data privacy. ChatGPT and other generative AI products and services took the world by storm this year, and investors flooded into stocks with exposure to the AI theme.
Geopolitical Events
Geopolitical tensions and events had a noticeable impact on financial markets. Trade disputes, political uncertainties, and regional conflicts created pockets of volatility. Investors closely monitored geopolitical developments for potential risks and opportunities, emphasizing the interconnectedness of global markets.
When Israel officially declared war on Hamas in October, the global geopolitical outlook darkened. The ongoing war in Ukraine and the new conflict in the Middle East likely mean growing global defense budgets. Aerospace and defense stocks performed well this year.
Market Performance
As of the end of November 2023, the S&P 500 has posted a total return of about 21% for the year, well above its average annual return of around 10%.
Technology, communication services, and consumer discretionary stocks have hit big rebounds in 2023. So have growth stocks in general. One key factor has been the investor shift in focus from rising interest rates to the possibility of rate cuts as soon as early 2024. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite has gained around 37% in 2023. The blue chip Dow Jones Industrial Average is up about 11% on the year.
Not only have they rebounded dramatically, but the high-growth, cyclical technology, telecom and consumer discretionary sectors have been the top-performing S&P 500 sectors of the year. Defensive sectors, including the utilities, healthcare and consumer staples, have been the biggest laggards in 2023.
The 2023 market strength has been buoyed by the “Magnificent 7” mega cap tech stocks—Apple (AAPL), Amazon (AMZN), Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL), Nvidia (NVDA), Meta Platforms (META), Microsoft (MSFT) and Tesla (TSLA). All seven stocks have more than doubled the S&P 500’s gains so far this year.
Conclusion
As we conclude the 2023 financial year, one thing is clear: the markets are ever-evolving. Investors navigated a dynamic landscape from economic recovery and technological advancements to regulatory changes and geopolitical shifts. Looking ahead, the lessons learned in 2023 will undoubtedly shape future investment strategies, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and staying informed in an ever-changing financial world.
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Disclosure:
This information is designed to provide general information on the subjects covered. The information is not designed to be and does not constitute specific legal or tax advice or a recommendation as to a specific tax plan or arrangement. Midwest Capital Advisors does not give legal or tax advice. You are encouraged to consult and confirm with your tax advisor or attorney for specifics.