Day: January 17, 2024

As we welcome 2024, it’s time to reflect on the economic and financial landscape of 2023 and look ahead to what this year might have in store. At Whelan Financial, we believe in providing you with valuable insights to make informed decisions. Let’s delve into the key components of the financial world in 2023 and provide you with a glimpse of what the future might hold. The U.S. Economy in 2023 2023 seemed destined to be defined as a year of uncertainty but was instead defined by resiliency. Heading into 2023, there were major questions about the effects of inflation and interest rates on the economy. Despite these challenges, consumers continued to spend, companies continued to hire and our economy continued to expand. These positive factors allowed the Federal Reserve to bring inflation down over the course of the year without creating undue economic stress. In fact, as inflation came down and our economy continued to expand, it provided investors with confidence to purchase back into risky assets, such as stocks. The Stock Market in 2023 The stock market in 2023, as measured by the S&P 500, was up over 26% by year-end. Volatility was a constant companion as investors