Originally Published on January 7, 2024 2023 Markets have posted above average results driven by a robust fourth quarter for the S&P 500 up over 10%. Inflation data has greatly improved, the Fed is indicating the possibility for rate cuts in 2024 and a positive narrative is in full effect. Including the downswing of 2022, the results of the last 5 years have been robust. The highest returns have been delivered by technology stocks as the NASDAQ posted a 44% gain for 2023. At

Originally Published on October 6, 2023 The S&P 500 sank 3.6% in the third quarter, yet the index was up 11.7% this year to date. The Dow was down 2.6% while the NASDAQ was down 4.12% for the quarter. See MarketWatch for details. Global short-term interest rates rose while expectations for the pace of rate hikes to slow and eventually stop during 2023. The impact of the abrupt departure from the ultra-low rates era may weigh on financial conditions in the quarters to come. P

Originally Published on July 6, 2023 With Nasdaq up nearly 30% year to date, it was on track for its best first half in four decades. The S&P 500, up 14.5% through the first half, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged, up 2.5%. See MarketWatch for complete recap. 2022 was a painful year, as rapidly increasing interest rates have torn away the era of cheap money. Now it seems that the global economy may adjust to higher rates, interest rates may be reaching a level th

Originally Published on April 5, 2023 Q1 23 has ended with gains, with the NASDAQ index rising a robust 17%, the S&P up 7% and the DOW nearly unchanged for 2023. This is the second consecutive quarter of positive results as the S&P has moved from 3678 on 10-2-22 to close at 4109 on 3-31-23. This upswing is another step in the process of the bear market that began 15 months ago. See The Wall Street Journal markets page for a complete recap. Joseph De La Vega’s “Confusion De C