As 2024 comes to a close, the Money Wise guys take a closer look at the year’s final numbers and a challenging December for the markets. The Dow Jones fell 260 points (-0.6%), the S&P 500 dropped 28 points (-0.5%), and the NASDAQ declined 100 points (-0.5%) for the week. Despite the weak December performance—attributed to Federal Reserve actions dampening the anticipated "Santa Claus rally"—2024 was an outstanding year for investors, with the Dow gaining 14.99%, the S&P 500 rising 25.02%, and the NASDAQ climbing 29.57% (including dividends).

The discussion focuses on the impact of Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell’s policies, particularly the increase in bond yields, which saw the 10-year Treasury rise from 3.87% to 4.58% over the year. The guys highlight the uneven performance within the bond market, where shorter-duration bonds outperformed their longer-duration counterparts. Target-date funds and longer-maturity bonds faced a tough fourth quarter due to rising interest rates but still managed solid annual returns. While the Fed’s December actions tempered the year-end rally, the guys emphasize the strong returns for diversified portfolios in 2024 and tease predictions for 2025 in an upcoming episode.

Rising bond yields in 2024 had a significant impact on the financial markets, with the 10-year Treasury yield increasing by 71 basis points, from 3.87% to 4.58%. This shift, driven by the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy and persistent inflation concerns, created challenges for certain segments of the bond market. Short-term and intermediate-term bonds performed relatively well, but longer-duration bonds and funds, such as target-date portfolios, experienced negative returns in the fourth quarter due to their sensitivity to rising rates. Overall, the bond market delivered modest annual returns, with the Bloomberg Aggregate Index gaining just 1.25%, underscoring the importance of managing duration in a rising yield environment.

In the second hour, the Money Wise guys discuss Equity Inxex Annuities. You don’t want to miss the details! Tune in for the full discussion on your favorite podcast provider or at davidsoncap.com, where you can also learn more about the Money Wise guys or take advantage of a portfolio review and analysis with Davidson Capital Management.