The 2023 investing year was another white-knuckle roller-coaster ride packed with twists and turns that kept us on the edge of our seats . We started in a bad place coming off a 19.52 % loss in the S & P 500 ( as measured by the ticker VOO ) and few people had any positive thoughts concerning the stock market .

The discussion was not if , but when , the US would enter a recession . Later , continuing talk of war in Ukraine and concern about rising interest rates with a side of bank failures led us just to where we thought we would be on July 31st , a 19.74 % increase in the market .

SURPRISING TURNS Wait … what ? You can ’ t tell me that with all the bad news in the world , the stock market increased in value during that time ?

Your skepticism is understandable and for those of you whose guns are loaded with a big round of “ I told you so !,” you are right , we did experience a 10.03 % decline in the market from August 1st through October 27th . That decline surrounded negotiations regarding the U . S . Debt

Ceiling , the highest mortgage rates in 20 years and a possible war in Israel . Most people were pessimistic about the economy and the prospects of the stock market based on what we were hearing . There ’ s no wonder that we closed out the year with a 14.39 % positive return over the last two months .

LESSONS LEARNED FOR FUTURE INVESTMENTS Last year was a great lesson to teach us how we should approach our investment decisions . If we had based our decision to enter or stay in the market based on our perception of when it was safe , we would have stayed on the sidelines and missed a 24 % return . Last year was not unusual — but normal — and showed us what we should expect from investing in the market .

WHAT ’ S IN STORE FOR 2024 ? By now , we know it is a fool ’ s errand to try to predict what will happen with the market . With that being said , here are some things we think you can count on :

• You will experience some news that you won ’ t like and it will cast doubt on the stock market , economy , country or all of the above .

• There will be considerable discussion about the Presidential election and our ability to thrive as a country depending on who wins .

• The stock market will lose some degree of value which will make you question if it is a good idea to be invested still .

No matter the news , market performance or winning Presidential candidate , I will stay invested , just like I have in the past as I believe losses in my portfolio are temporary and gains are permanent .

Shaw Pritchett is a Financial Advisor and President of Jackson Thornton Asset Management in Montgomery .