What the Markets’ New Tailwinds Could Look Like in 2023 (2024)

Editor’s note: This is part two of a three-part series about what the economy and markets could look like this year. Part one is Will Rising Interest Rates Lead to Soft Landing or Recession? Part three is Five Investment Strategies to Focus on in 2023.

In the first part of this series, we considered the potential of the Fed’s 2022 rate hikes in bringing the economy in for a soft landing, concluding that if the Fed continues to enact more aggressive hikes than expected, it will be detrimental to the economy.

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As 2022 wrapped up, the Fed’s rate hikes had undoubtedly begun to broadly impact the economy. Consumer confidence, retail sales, homebuilder sentiment and new housing starts are all down. The Purchasing Manufacturing Index (PMI) has declined to 46, suggesting the economy may already be in recession. But there is some good news suggesting that investors have reasons to be optimistic in 2023.

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Inflation Leveling

In November, headline inflation cooled, rising just 0.1% for the month (0.2% for core), bringing year-over-year inflation down to 7.1%. In December inflation cooled once again, coming in with prices dropping month-over-month for the first time (-0.1%) since May 2020, at 6.5% year-over-year. Six months of consecutive slowing indicates inflation probably peaked back in June. More important, headline inflation of 0.1% in November, if sustained, suggests an annualized run-rate of 1.2% headline inflation over the next 12 months, a significant decline from 2022’s highs.

Indeed, the consensus calls for inflation to fall to somewhere around 3% to 4% by the end of 2023.

Finally, energy prices have come down significantly from their June highs, and gasoline prices are lower today than they were a year ago, a powerful tailwind that only adds to the disinflationary forces already building throughout the economy.

Lower Valuations Present Opportunities for Value Investors

Valuations for most asset classes are more attractive today than they’ve been in years. Negative returns on both stocks and bonds in 2022 have succeeded in bringing down market valuations from their 2022 highs and, in the process, improved the market’s overall financial health.

The S&P 500 now trades at 16.6 times next year’s earnings vs. the 22 times earnings that it traded at this time last year. The market predicts the Fed will begin cutting rates in late 2023; the Fed predicts they’ll begin in early 2025. As a result, it’s not a stretch to expect multiples to again rise once the Fed pauses increases and, ultimately, reverses course on interest rates.

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The S&P 500 trading at 17-18 times earnings by late 2023 — about 5.5% higher from today’s level — seems quite realistic. Building a portfolio of historically high-quality companies trading at these lower valuations is a good strategy for positioning for a recovery that could deliver rewards after valuations hit an inflection point.

Good Bond News for Diversified Portfolios

The same can be said for fixed income valuations. Bonds today offer investors the highest yields they’ve seen in nearly a decade. At the end of 2021, the two-year Treasury yielded 0.73%; a year later, it yields 4.17%.

While the yield curve across a range of bonds may be steeply inverted, investors today have opportunities in short-duration fixed income that simply didn’t exist 12 months ago — a major breath of fresh air for diversified portfolios and income-oriented investors. Should the Fed pause and eventually begin to cut rates in late 2023 as the market forecasts, diversified portfolios with allocations to bonds would again be well-positioned to benefit.

Finally, this also suggests that investors could begin adding back longer-duration bonds to their portfolios, probably later in 2023.

10% Return for S&P 500 a Real Possibility by End of 2023

Earnings growth should be another positive tailwind for equity markets next year. Earnings drive stock prices. And in today’s market, with its newfound emphasis on fundamentals, earnings really matter. Short of a recession — a very real possibility — consensus estimates are for about 5% earnings growth for S&P 500 companies in 2023. That’s certainly less than what it was in years past, but still respectable.

When combined with the potential for a 5.5% increase in the S&P 500’s valuation (from 16.6x to 17.5x), that equates to a potential 2023 return for the S&P 500 Index of about 10% from today’s values for a year-end target of 4,200.

Market Returns Tend to Be Quite Positive in Years Following Significant Declines

If there’s one silver lining to 2022, it helped re-ground investors in the basics. Fundamentals matter, predictions should be taken with a healthy dose of skepticism, and prudent planning prevails in the long run. Finally, market history is on the side of the optimists.

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Historically, market returns following relatively sharp declines have been quite good. Since 1926, stocks have averaged 12.5% returns in years following declines of 10%, while average returns increase to 22.2% in years following declines of 20%. The S&P 500 fell 18% in 2022. While history repeats, it does tend to rhyme, and this is a tailwind tune that could propel investor returns in the year ahead.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board) owns the CFP® certification mark, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification mark and the CFP® certification mark (with plaque design) logo in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Mercer Advisors Inc. is the parent company of Mercer Global Advisors Inc. and is not involved with investment services. Mercer Global Advisors is registered as an investment adviser with the SEC. Content is for educational and illustrative purposes only and does not imply a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell a particular security or to engage in any particular investment strategy. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author as of the date of publication and are subject to change. Some of the research and ratings shown in this presentation come from third parties that are not affiliated with Mercer Advisors. The information is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed or warranted by Mercer Advisors. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that any specific investment will either be suitable or profitable for a client's investment portfolio. Economic factors, market conditions, and investment strategies will affect the performance of any portfolio and there are no assurances that it will match or outperform any particular benchmark. Forecasts are not a reliable indicator of future performance. Forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and expectations. They are for illustrative purposes only and serve as an indication of what may occur. Given the inherent uncertainties of risk associated with forecasts, projections or other forward statements, actual events, results or performance may differ materially from those reflected or contemplated.

This article was written by and presents the views of our contributing adviser, not the Kiplinger editorial staff. You can check adviser records with the SEC or with FINRA.

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What the Markets’ New Tailwinds Could Look Like in 2023 (2024)

FAQs

What the Markets’ New Tailwinds Could Look Like in 2023? ›

More important, headline inflation of 0.1% in November, if sustained, suggests an annualized run-rate of 1.2% headline inflation over the next 12 months, a significant decline from 2022's highs. Indeed, the consensus calls for inflation to fall to somewhere around 3% to 4% by the end of 2023.

What will the market look like in 2023? ›

"In the first half of 2023, the S&P 500 is expected to re-test the lows of 2022, but a pivot from the Federal Reserve could drive an asset recovery later in the year, pushing the S&P 500 to 4,200 by year-end," the investment bank said in a research note.

Is the stock market expected to go up in 2023? ›

Looking ahead to second-quarter reports, analysts are calling for S&P 500 earnings to fall 6.4% compared to a year ago. Fortunately, analysts are projecting S&P 500 earnings growth will rebound back into positive territory in the second half of 2023.

What stocks will skyrocket in 2023? ›

10 Best Growth Stocks Of June 2023
  • Bank of America's Best Growth Stocks of 2023.
  • Amazon (AMZN)
  • Constellation Energy (CEG)
  • Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG)
  • Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL)
  • Eli Lilly (LLY)
  • Match (MTCH)
  • Progressive (PGR)
6 days ago

Where will s and p be at end of 2023? ›

The S&P 500 is up about 9% so far in 2023 after falling 19.4% in 2022. Gains this year are largely thanks to big growth and technology stocks, which have rallied as other areas of the market have faltered, like regional banks.

Will 2023 be a bear market? ›

The bear [market] is almost over, and a new exciting bull market awaits in the second half of 2023,” he said, pointing to potential in technology stocks in particular.

Will 2024 be a good time to buy a house? ›

With mortgage rates declining faster than expected, home prices are likely to remain mostly flat throughout 2024. This will be good news for buyers who have been waiting on the sidelines for a good time to enter the market.

Will 2023 recession affect stock market? ›

A deep recession would mean a steep drawdown in stock prices in 2023, these analysts said. By Siddiqui's calculations, the S&P 500 — which currently sits at 4,079 — could hit 3,000 this year. Rosenberg predicts 2,900. That would mean a loss of 26% to 29%.

Will the stock market recover in 2024? ›

One of Wall Street's most vocal bears expects the stock market to fully recover its losses and trade to record highs in 2024. "This is not the end of the world.

Is 2023 a good year to invest? ›

2023 is a great time to start investing. But so was 2022. The key point is that over the long term, investments generally do grow in value, even if there is some early volatility. It is far better to invest now, whenever now happens to be, rather than waiting for some ideal future opportunity.

Where best to invest in 2023? ›

Recap of the 10 best investments in 2023
  • High-yield savings accounts.
  • Short-term certificates of deposit.
  • Series I bonds.
  • Short-term corporate bond funds.
  • Dividend stock funds.
  • Value stock funds.
  • REIT funds.
  • S&P 500 index funds.
May 1, 2023

What stock to buy May 2023? ›

Best Value Stocks
Price ($)Market Cap ($B)
Chesapeake Energy Corp. (CHK)77.0310.3
DISH Network Corp. (DISH)6.993.7
Ovintiv Inc. (OVV)32.948.1
2 more rows
May 5, 2023

What to expect in the US markets for 2023? ›

The growth profile will show divergence: the Euro area will likely face a mild recession into late 2022/early 2023, while the U.S. is expected to slide into recession in late 2023. In currency markets, further dollar strength is still expected in 2023, but of a lower magnitude and different composition than in 2022.

What is the stock market prediction for 2024? ›

The stock market is poised for a strong 2024 as corporate earnings are poised to impress. "Earnings are likely to outpace the economy in 2024," Bank of America's Savita Subramanian said in a Monday note. Also helping the outlook for stocks is the trillions of dollars of sidelined cash that could get invested.

Will Nasdaq recover in 2023? ›

Taking a deeper look into the Nasdaq-100 Technology Sector Index (NDXT), we can see that 2023 so far has brought a degree of cautious optimism back to the market's performance, with around 20% growth recorded in Q1. It's also worth noting that the NDXT is still some 30% adrift from its November 2021 peak.

Are we going to see a bull market in 2023? ›

There's good and bad news about the market and economy. The bad news is that a recession is looking more likely, with experts at JPMorgan Chase projecting a higher than 50% chance it will happen sometime in 2023. But the good news is that a bull market is coming -- perhaps sooner than you expect.

Should I continue to buy in a bear market? ›

Keep a long-term outlook

It could take months or even years for the market to fully recover, but it will rebound eventually. In the short term, there's a chance that your investments will take a hit. Over the long run, though, you're far more likely to see positive average returns.

Do markets bottom before recession? ›

S&P 500 Index Never Bottoms Before a Recession.

Will US home prices drop in 2023? ›

Although home prices are expected to improve in the second half of the year, the California median home price is projected to decrease by 5.6 percent to $776,600 in 2023, down from the median price of $822,300 recorded in 2022.

Is the end of 2023 a good time to buy a house? ›

The combination of persistent buyer demand and low inventory has driven property prices up. There are fewer sellers, so prospective buyers need to contend with higher housing prices. As such, if you buy a home in 2023, you're likely to pay a premium.

Will mortgage rates go down in 2023 2024? ›

These organizations predict that mortgage rates will decline through the first quarter of 2024. Fannie Mae, Mortgage Bankers Association and National Association of Realtors expect mortgage rates to drop through the first quarter of 2024, by half a percentage point to about nine-tenths of a percentage point.

How bad will 2023 recession be? ›

Many economists believe the strategy will trigger a recession this year. But the NABE forecasters expect the economy to grow 0.8% in 2023 – based on the change in average GDP over the four quarters compared with 2022. That is down from 2.1% last year but up from their 0.5% estimate in December.

How long will the US be in a recession 2023? ›

In a best-case scenario, the U.S. will likely see a 'soft landing' with low/slow growth across 2023 before picking up in 2024. However, a downside scenario is a real possibility and could see the U.S. enter a prolonged recession lasting well into 2024, as is currently forecast for the UK and Germany.

How to prepare for recession 2023? ›

Here are some steps you can take to recession-proof your finances.
  1. Take stock of your financial situation. Many people find the idea of making a budget scary, especially if it might also mean some lifestyle changes. ...
  2. Prioritize your emergency fund. ...
  3. Pay down high interest debt. ...
  4. Take steps to recession-proof your career.
Jan 5, 2023

Will the stock market ever go back to normal? ›

Investors should expect the bear market to persist throughout 2023. The Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes should help to stabilize the economy at some point in 2023. This would lead to a potential market recovery.

What is the Dow Jones prediction for 2024? ›

The updated Dow Jones price prediction for 2024 is $29091. Long Forecast expects Dow Jones to trade at 35,400 points by the end of Q1 2023, at 37,000 by the end of Q2 2023. and around 35,000 points by the end of 2023. In two years from now, the agency forecast Dow Jones to trade at 38,600 points.

Where will the S&P 500 be in 10 years? ›

S&P 500 10 Years Forecast (Until 2032)
YearPrice
20234 200
20244 900
20255 500
20265 750
6 more rows

What will 2023 look like financially? ›

In 2023, economic activity is projected to stagnate, with rising unemployment and falling inflation. Interest rates are projected to remain high initially and then gradually decrease in the next few years as inflation continues to slow.

Should I move my investments to cash 2023? ›

The answer is no, according to advisors and investment analysts. "Allocating more funds to high-yielding CDs, money market funds, or treasuries may seem prudent; however, this is a form of market timing and should be avoided," explained Jonathan Shenkman of Shenkman Wealth Management.

What sort of year will 2023 be? ›

2023 is a year of the Water Rabbit, starting from January 22nd, 2023 (Chinese New Year), and ending on February 9th, 2024 (Chinese New Year's Eve). The sign of Rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese culture. 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope.

What are the top 5 sectors to invest in 2023? ›

5 Best Sectors for Long-term Investment in India 2023
  • Information Technology (IT)
  • FMCG (Fast-moving consumer goods)
  • Housing finance companies.
  • Automobile Companies.
  • Infrastructure.
  • Bonus: Pharmaceuticals Stocks.
Apr 1, 2023

What stocks could double in 2023? ›

7 Growth Stocks That Can Double in 2023
TickerCompanyPrice
NIONio$11.24
PSNYPolestar Automotive$5.82
RIGTransocean$5.39
DRSLeonardo DRS$13.03
3 more rows
Jan 11, 2023

What is the safest investment with the highest return? ›

Here are the best low-risk investments in June 2023:
  • High-yield savings accounts.
  • Series I savings bonds.
  • Short-term certificates of deposit.
  • Money market funds.
  • Treasury bills, notes, bonds and TIPS.
  • Corporate bonds.
  • Dividend-paying stocks.
  • Preferred stocks.
7 days ago

What will the Dow Jones be in 2027? ›

To some investors, this might seem unlikely. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, an index that has astonished with its ascent over the past decade, likely will continue to astonish through the 2020s, rising to 50,000 by 2027.

Where will stock market be in 2025? ›

Dow Jones Forecast By Month.
YearMoMax
2024Dec31916
2025Jan33391
2025Feb32458
2025Mar32808
21 more rows

Will prices go up or down in 2023? ›

For its part, the USDA predicts that for 2023, grocery store prices will increase 6.6%. It expects increased prices for nine food categories to stick around, including poultry, dairy products, fats and oils, and cereal products. Prices of beef, pork and fresh fruits, on the other hand, should see modest declines.

Will the market be bullish in 2023? ›

"By the end of 2023, as the recession recedes and the fog of uncertainty lifts, the equity market will most likely rally," Goldman's analysts say. "We would expect high-single-digit returns for a moderate-risk diversified portfolio."

How bad will inflation be in 2023? ›

After peaking at 6.2% in 2022, we expect inflation to fall to 3.5% for 2023. Over 2024 to 2027, we expect inflation to average just 1.8%—below the Fed's 2% target.

Will everything be cheaper in 2023? ›

Key points. Inflation seems to be slowing, and some things could start to get cheaper in 2023. The cost of real estate, rental, cars, and gas could fall, at least a little. Don't get too excited about potential price drops, as there's still a lot of uncertainty about the economy.

Will 2023 be a good time to buy a house? ›

Homebuyer.com data analysis indicates that, for first-time home buyers, June 2023 is a good time to buy a house relative to later in the year. This article provides an unbiased look at current mortgage rates, housing market conditions, and market sentiment.

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