Points of View

Global stocks rallied in the first quarter of 2024, with markets in the US, Japan, Europe, and Latin America hitting all-time highs spurred by stronger than expected economic growth.

2023 was a far better year for investors than the chorus of gloomy Wall Street forecasters had predicted, with both the bond and stock markets posting strong gains. This leaves investors with a hopeful outlook heading into 2024.

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The third quarter proved challenging for investors, as a tug of war emerged between the economy’s surprising resilience and the Federal Reserve’s determined campaign to lower inflation. While bond markets continue to slump in response to rising interest rates, surging investor interest in artificial intelligence drove soaring returns for the largest tech stocks.

Climate Week includes events highlighting the latest climate tech innovations, the future of climate solutions, and the challenges facing the planet. Here are our takeaways.

During the first half of 2023 financial markets defied the chorus of forecasters who anticipated that crippling interest rates would soon lead to earnings declines, recession, and investment losses. Overall, investors enjoyed better than usual returns despite relentlessly negative media headlines.

The first quarter of 2023 generated positive returns for both stock and bond investors despite turmoil in the banking sector and the failures of Credit Suisse, Silicon Valley Bank, and Signature Bank. Inflation has drifted lower and the Federal Reserve has begun to tone down its hawkish language, suggesting an easing of monetary tightening with fewer and smaller interest rate hikes in the future. Corporate profits have remained strong, and the employment market has been surprisingly robust in the face of a gradually slowing economy.

Proxy season is the time of year when companies hold meetings to elect new board members, approve executive pay, and address the concerns of shareholders. For investors who care about the social and environmental impacts of their investments, this is an opportunity to influence company behavior for the better.

You’ve probably been reading about the collapse last week of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) in California. Hopefully, the following commentary will answer questions that may have come up for you, and give you a sense of where things stand now.

As we move into what is already a very eventful new year, we wanted to take a moment to look back and reflect on the positive things that happened for LongView in 2022.

Last week personal finance coach Bridget Jones shared her insights on the topic as the guest host for the first webinar in LongView's 2023 series on financial empowerment. Last week's webinar, "Cultivating a Positive Money Mindset - Moving From Fear to Freedom," was all about how to overcome our limiting beliefs and identify inherited family patterns around how we approach money issues.

December 2022 marked 20 years since LongView was founded. During these two decades, we have weathered many historic challenges together. Through all these ups and downs, we have strived to maintain a steady hand, preserving and growing our clients’ portfolios by adhering to fundamental investment principles and keeping our eye on your long-term goals.