Is 2023 a good year for investment?
There are typically two outcomes as to what happens after an awful year like 2022—you get a bounce-back recovery, or the bad times continue. Luckily, 2023 was the former not the latter. Expected returns were higher and actual returns followed suit.
Stocks move up and down frequently. Between November 2023 and early March 2024, the stock market moved higher (following a generally downward trend between August and October 2023). The market's recent strength seems to reflect, in part, expectations of a major change in Federal Reserve (Fed) monetary policy.
“In fact, despite today's elevated yields for cash vehicles, a diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds likely generated superior performance in 2023.” Haworth says investors holding money in cash that is intended to help meet long-term goals should consider ways to put it to work more effectively.
Defying such forecasts, the S&P 500 returned 26.4% in 2023. While valuations provide valuable information about future expected returns over the long term (there's about a 0.4 correlation between the two over 10-year periods), that doesn't mean you can use that information to time markets.
It can be nerve-wracking to watch your portfolio consistently drop during bear market periods. After all, nobody likes losing money; that goes against the whole purpose of investing. However, pulling your money out of the stock market during down periods can often do more harm than good in the long term.
Investors are likely drawn to the stock market now as it continues to hit fresh highs. After the market tanked in 2022, it came roaring back last year. The S&P 500 soared 24% in 2023, and it started to hit fresh, all-time highs throughout the month of January this year.
The best way to invest $200,000 is through a diversified portfolio that includes a mix of individual stocks, index funds, real estate, and fixed-income options like bonds or CDs. Counting on your risk tolerance, time, and monetary goals, the allocation between these asset classes will vary.
Bitcoin has emerged as a standout performer in 2023, overshadowing traditional asset classes such as gold, equities, real estate, and bonds.
Real estate/REITs
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are a way to buy real estate without owning or managing the property. REITs own commercial real estate and can provide large dividends, making them a good investment if you're not interested in maintaining properties.
Throughout 2023, Buffett consistently added more shares to one of Berkshire's top holdings, Occidental Petroleum (OXY -0.04%). Berkshire Hathaway established its position in the company when it put up $10 billion in capital to facilitate Occidental's acquisition of Anadarko.
Is 7% a good investment return?
Return on Stocks: On average, a ROI of 7% after inflation is often considered good, based on the historical returns of the market. Return on Bonds: For bonds, a good ROI is typically around 4-6%.
Assuming an inflation rate of 4% and a conservative after-tax rate of return of 5%, you should aim for a savings target of $1.3 million to fund a 30-year retirement that begins at age 67. This would give you an investment portfolio that produces about $50,000 a year in income.
Conventional wisdom holds that when you hit your 70s, you should adjust your investment portfolio so it leans heavily toward low-risk bonds and cash accounts and away from higher-risk stocks and mutual funds. That strategy still has merit, according to many financial advisors.
No one, including the company that issued the stock, pockets the money from your declining stock price. The money reflected by changes in stock prices isn't tallied and given to some investor. The changes in price are simply an independent by-product of supply and demand and corresponding investor transactions.
If you are saving up for a short-term goal and will need to withdraw the funds in the near future, you're probably better off parking the money in a savings account. Conversely, if your goals are longer in duration, you'll generally find you can obtain more satisfactory results from investing.
Stocks and bonds may both be poised for success in 2024. Easing inflation and a pivoting Fed should reduce headwinds that have faced both asset classes in recent years. Resilient growth may prove to be an additional tailwind for stocks.
For now at least, analysts are anticipating S&P 500 earnings growth will continue to accelerate in the first half of 2024. Analysts project S&P 500 earnings will grow 3.9% year-over-year in the first quarter and another 9% in the second quarter.
Overall, 2023 was a great year for stocks, as the markets rallied to near-record highs in late December. However, not all companies surged. The year's worst-performing name among the U.S.-listed firms covered by Morningstar analysts was ChargePoint CHPT, which fell 75.5%.
Calculate the Investment Needed: To earn $1,000 per month, or $12,000 per year, at a 3% yield, you'd need to invest a total of about $400,000.
While the quest for a 6% return on your savings today may require some effort, CDs and high-yield savings accounts are two viable options to consider. These accounts offer competitive interest rates, safety through FDIC insurance and ease of management.
What is the next big thing to invest in?
Next Big Thing in Investing: Artificial Intelligence
The tech space is always worth watching when it comes to seeking out the next big thing in investing. Right now it seems that artificial intelligence (AI) is driving that bus and will be for the foreseeable future.
With interest rates having peaked last year, growth stocks such as small caps may be poised for a strong performance in 2024. Small-cap stock funds can earn sizable returns over time, and the best small-cap ETFs can earn double-digit returns annually for years.
Top Warren Buffett Stocks By Size
Apple (AAPL), 905.6 million. Coca-Cola (KO), 400 million. Kraft Heinz (KHC), 325.6 million. Occidental Petroleum (OXY), 248.1 million.
If you have $50,000 to invest, there are plenty of good options. You can choose safe investments, like CDs or high-yield savings accounts. Alternatively, you can invest in things like stocks and real estate in the hopes of achieving superior long-term returns.
The table below shows the present value (PV) of $10,000 in 20 years for interest rates from 2% to 30%. As you will see, the future value of $10,000 over 20 years can range from $14,859.47 to $1,900,496.38.
