Like a rollercoaster, trying to time the ups and downs of the ride and getting off while it’s in motion is how you get hurt. The best action is to stay on the ride until you reach the final destination.
Markets were off to one of the best starts in decades during the first half of 2023—then came the third quarter.
During the second quarter of 2023, investors rode a wave of economic uncertainty as markets grappled with persistent inflation, central bank activity, the fallout of banking sector struggles, and debt-ceiling drama.
The first quarter of 2023 has been full of surprises — from dramatic swings in economic data to the sudden onset of a banking crisis, it has been a wild ride. However, markets quickly adjust to the news and reflect the risky nature of uncertain outcomes. Therefore, investors are encouraged to stay patient through such market downturns and volatility.
For most investors, 2022 has felt like a “terrible, horrible, no good, very bad” year. Markets were roiled by the outbreak of a land war in Europe, inflation hitting highs not seen in decades, and a pace of interest rate increases that have been historic. While finishing the quarter with positive returns, the gyrations of markets in the fourth quarter did little to assuage investors’ general unease moving into 2023.