2023 was a year of resilience in the face of economic and market challenges. Despite a banking crisis, inflationary pressures, Fed tightening, weakening economic data, and stagnant corporate earnings, the Russell 3000 Index finished the year up 26%, with the MSCI ACWI-Ex-U.S. (International markets) Index up 15.6%. The bond market also ended the year in positive territory, with the Barclays Intermediate Gov/Corp Index up 5.2%. This marked the first positive year for fixed income since 2020.

During the third quarter, the Bear returned to Wall Street after a nearly 13-year hiatus, during which the S&P 500 Index logged a whopping 587.33% cumulative return.