🥂 Time for 2024

A look back at the year that's been, and guidance for the one ahead | [Finimize](   TOGETHER WITH   Hi {NAME}, here's what you need to know for December 28th in 3:13 minutes.   🎄 Finimized over a homemade gingerbread at Santa's Grotto in [Hatton Country World]( in Warwick, UK (🌧 12°C/53°F) Today's big stories - The global economy held its nerve throughout an especially dicey year, with stocks proving tough as nails - The Magnificent Seven ruled 2023, though next year may welcome fresh successors – [Read Now]( - Investors are hopeful about next year, but Warren Buffett’s wisdom could point you toward the opposite stance Good As Gold [Good As Gold] What’s going on here? The global economy proved its worth this year, with stocks and bonds defying expectations to finish on a glittering high. What does this mean? A recession seemed a sure bet for much of this year, but the economy has held its own – so far, at least. That’s mainly thanks to three factors: US consumers leant on their pandemic savings, companies locked in long-term loans during the pandemic, and governments spared no expense implementing economy-supporting stimulus packages. Limber supply chains, cheap commodities, and a weakening housing market helped push inflation down toward the Federal Reserve’s (the Fed) target, too. That helped stocks hold steadier than expected, while the AI frenzy did major favors for US tech stocks. Mind you, it’s not just stocks that are making investors breath a sign of relief: US corporate bonds and gold pulled in returns of almost 10%, and bitcoin’s up some 150%. Why should I care? For markets: There’s a reason it’s tough to beat the market. Investors banked on stocks rocketing in 2022 and crashing in 2023. Both times, they were wrong. That’s a lesson worth learning: the market has a habit of humbling investors, mainly because the consensus expectations have already been priced into asset prices. Bear that in mind when you’re watching the current uptick in stocks and bonds, a result of investors expecting the Fed to cut rates sooner rather than later. For you: Remember your highs and lows. New Year’s resolutions aren’t just for planning gym workouts and career moves. The end of a year allows investors to take stock of how their investments played out and why: poor timing, lack of research, emotional decision-making, or unforeseen circumstances are common reasons. It helps to document your investing decisions and rationale as you go, building out something of an investment journal that allows you to hone your process over time. You might also like: [Bank of America’s top three trades for 2024](. 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=Good As Gold&utm_campaign=daily-global-28-12-2023&utm_source=email) Analyst Take Three Investing Themes To Watch In 2024, According To iShares [Three Investing Themes To Watch In 2024, According To iShares]( By Theodora Lee Joseph, Analyst Interest rate cuts may be showing up on more 2024 prediction lists, but even if that comes true, that’s no reason to scrub a recession off your forecast. That means you still need to be extra selective with your investments – which you could achieve by using [thematic strategies](. In essence, these strategies involve strategically aligning your portfolio with [significant, long-term structural forces]( that have the potential to profoundly reshape the economy. [iShares has pinpointed three such forces](, and with investors nursing roughly $6 trillion in cash right now, it probably won't be too long before these trends start catching some eagle eyes. That’s today’s Insight: [the three investing themes to watch in 2024](. [Read or listen to the Insight here]( SPONSORED BY MASTERWORKS Invest in the asset class set to explode $700 million by 2026 The new year is a perfect time to research new investment opportunities. Deloitte has pointed out an exciting place to start, too: a market expected to grow by nearly $700 million over the next few years, [art and collectibles](. It’s never been easier for everyday investors to enter the fast-growing industry. Usually reserved for the world’s richest, [Masterworks]( makes it more affordable to buy shares of blue-chip art. No wonder over 60,000 Masterworks users have already invested nearly $1 billion into high-quality art shares on the platform. Shares of Masterworks art can sell out in just minutes, but [Finimize readers can skip the waitlist to join with this exclusive link](. [Skip the Waitlist]( DisclaimerInvesting involves risk and past performance is not indicative of future returns. See important Reg A disclosures and aggregate advisory performance [masterworks.com/cd]( When you support our sponsors, you support us. Thanks for that. The Half Glass [The Half Glass] What’s going on here? The global economy might’ve proved the pessimists wrong this year, but there’s reason to be wary of all-out optimism in 2024. What does this mean? The US is in better shape than this time last year, serving as inspiration for anyone who’s put away a few too many festive dinners. Inflation’s heading toward target, the Federal Reserve is probably done with interest rate hikes, and companies and consumers are holding steady. Added together, that makes a harsh recession less likely. If it stays that way, that’s good news for riskier assets like stocks and crypto, while defensive assets like bonds and gold could continue to benefit from falling interest rates. But remember Warren Buffett’s words: “Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy only when others are fearful.” When everyone’s optimistic, the market’s likely already accounted for the best-case scenario. That makes it vulnerable to any against-the-grain changes. And if the last two years taught us anything, it’s that markets tend to behave very differently from how investors expect. Let’s just hope it’s a pleasant surprise this time. Why should I care? For your portfolio: Trust issues. Your best defense against uncertainty is diversification. You might consider stocks from different sectors and regions in case US tech loses its footing, say. Treasury bonds and gold could protect against a recession, while other commodities will likely hold their own if inflation reboots. The bigger picture: Control the controllables. Short-term investing can hinge on hindsight and luck. But over the long haul, it's the strength and consistency of your investment process that counts. That’s why it’s crucial to develop a system that guides you on precisely what to buy, what to avoid, and how much to invest in different situations. Develop a solid strategy for selling, too, outlining when to let go or hold on. Even plan ahead in anticipation of turbulent times or runaway markets. The more solid your strategy, the less you'll be swayed by emotions. You might also like: [How to invest like Ray Dalio and build a portfolio that outperforms no matter what](. 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=The Half Glass&utm_campaign=daily-global-28-12-2023&utm_source=email) 💬 Quote of the day "Accept what people offer. Drink their milkshakes. Take their love." – Wally Lamb (an American author) [Tweet this]( SPONSORED BY HEALTHWORDS.AI Feel better, faster Technology has stripped down barriers around the world. Yet when you’re feeling under the weather, you’re still left with two options: book (and wait for) a doctor appointment, or a crude online search of your symptoms and a trip to the pharmacy. Not with [Healthwords.ai](: the platform combines expert medical knowledge with [conversational AI to understand your body](, before advising you on whether you should see a doctor or self-treat. And if it’s the second, you can [order the medical products you need straight to your door in just a few clicks](. (You might need to text your partner for the chicken noodle soup, though.) [Discover the future of healthcare](. [Find Out More]( When you support our sponsors, you support us. Thanks for that. 🎯 On Our Radar 1. New year, new industry. [Health and fitness]( will look different in 2024. 2. Preparing for real-world investing. Discover [the theoretical elements of investing and portfolio construction.](* 3. No wonder you couldn't sleep this week. The [last full moon of the year]( was a big one (theoretically). 4. There’s value to be found in the NFT market. [Three key factors]( can help you separate the best deals from the rest.* 5. Uncertainty is scary. Here's how to [become your own support network](. When you support our sponsors, you support us. Thanks for that. SPONSORED BY HEALTHWORDS.AI [HEALTHWORDS.AI]( When you support our sponsors, you support us. Thanks for that. 🌍 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? 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