Now that full-year GDP numbers are out let’s review the major economic indicators for 2024. The employment situation remained stable with the economy gaining 2.2 million jobs (up 1.4% year-over-year). Those numbers are slightly lower than 2023’s but are still solid. The unemployment rate actually increased slightly to 4.1% as more people reentered the workforce.
Tucson Monsoon – 2024 Update
This monsoon season was almost exactly average with 5.8 inches of rain
2023 Review: Economy Edition
Now that full-year GDP numbers are out I can finish the 2023 year-in-review series by taking a look at major economic indicators.
2023 Review: Sectors, Stocks & International
Homebuilders led the market in 2023 with 69% return, including 30% in the fourth quarter alone. Is housing market a total mess, you might wonder? Why, yes, it is, but homebuilder played it right last year keeping inventory low, pricing high and offering buydowns on all-important mortgage rates. Semiconductors and other tech stocks weren’t far behind largely driven by AI mania (Nvdia’s 240% return being case in point).
2023 Review: Significant Events and Major Asset Classes
Reviewing 2023’s major events and asset class performance
Tucson Monsoon – 2023 Update
After two big outliers in a row (2021 was 3rd wettest monsoon, 2020 was 2nd driest on record), 2023 followed last year as a comfortably “normal”.
2023 Mid-Year Review
Reviewing 2023 Mid-Year results for various markets
Why Not Just Stay Safe In Cash at 5%?
With minimal effort, we can get you a 4.5% in a money market fund or 5% on a 3 month CD. Where things get trickier is when people ask “why don’t I dump all my stocks/bonds and sit in cash at 5% until the market feels safe”?
2022 Review: Economy Edition
In 2022 employment remained tight, inflation was sky high, economy grew moderately and housing took a turn for the worse.
2022 Review: Sectors, Stocks & International
Former darlings in Internet, Consumer Discretionary, Semis and Retail all declined over 30% last year. Tech, homebuilders and real estate didn’t do much better. The stars of 2022 sector show were energy stocks with XLE up 64%!