As 2023 winds down, your focus may begin turning to holiday planning, family gatherings, and delicious food. You might even entertain the idea of getting your tax documents in order. Consider going a few steps further and preparing for a yearly check-in with your financial advisor to start 2024 with your money matters in good shape.

June was a strong month for equity markets as resolution of the debt ceiling impasse helped lower uncertainty and supported a risk-on environment

The S&P 500, DJIA, and Nasdaq gained 7.50 percent, 0.93 percent, and 17.05 percent, respectively, for the quarter. These positive results came despite slowing fundamentals.

Despite market turbulence throughout 2022, December data showed that job growth remained healthy and consumer spending as well as business investment increased.

Equity markets saw widespread declines in September, bringing the major indices to their lowest closing levels for the year.

This is where we stand. The Fed is in the middle of a painful policy change and, while the headlines and current numbers are certainly scary, that change will lead to a healthier economy and stronger future growth. A bear market offers plenty of reasons to worry, but that has always been the case. Looking at history, bear markets have always come back to future gains.

Equity markets experienced widespread selloffs in June. Fears of a potential recession and high inflation weighed heavily on investors, capping off a challenging second quarter.

Many of the discussions around the market decline so far this year have revolved around two issues: why is it happening and how far will it go? Most people look at the market as an independent entity, trying to second-guess how it will act in the future. Most people will, inevitably, be wrong.

Whether you’ve seen the prices at the pump, clicked on the headlines, or overheard discussions in the grocery store, you know the rising cost of gas has everyone talking. At the start of the summer driving season, the average price of regular gasoline in the U.S. reached an all-time high, surpassing $4.50 per gallon.

Equity markets partially bounced back in March. The S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), and Nasdaq Composite gained 3.71 percent, 2.49 percent, and 3.48 percent, respectively. For the quarter, the S&P 500, DJIA, and Nasdaq Composite lost 4.60 percent, 4.10 percent, and 8.95 percent, respectively.