If you’ve been watching the market so far this year, which if you’re reading this, then I’m guessing you have been, the market has been a bit of a seesaw.
One day we’re soaring in the sky, setting new highs, and then the next day, giving up those gains. It’s been a rinse and repeat for January.
So why is the market going up and down and side to side? Well, there are so many factors that are playing into the economy right now. I know, aren’t there always? I would say yes, but this year we have an election, new conflicts and old conflicts that haven’t been resolved, as well as a less than flattering inflation number.
This means the market is looking at every scenario and attempting to see if it plays out positive or negative for the market, or worse, neutral. Will the Fed increase interest rates, or will they pause longer before lowering interest rates? Will these conflicts in other countries cause issues with our economy? Will the presidential election influence the way the market goes?
These are all great questions and some have vague answers through data we’ve mined from the past, but only time will tell. I believe that’s the answer to the whole question of “Timing the Market vs Time in the Market”.
As we’ve said on this site more times than I can count, if the market does stay red, or dips further, do we panic? No, we BUY, BUY, BUY! You can’t keep Mr. Market down forever, and eventually, once the market picks a direction, we can ride the next Bull Market.
Aren’t we already in a Bull Market? Some may say yes, some may say we’re still in a Bear Market. To me, I think the market hasn’t decided what way it wants to go, just yet.
On the positive side, the optimist in me says, that the market will land on its feet, the second half of 2024. We will enjoy a Bull Market, see some gains, and if nothing pops up like a world wide epidemic, we should be in good shape to continue that on into 2025.
What are your predictions for 2024? Bull Market or Bear Market? Any industry crashes?
Thrifty Investing 
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