Lessons Learned in 2024

Each week, the Stokes Family Office staff puts together a list of our favorite news and updates on all things wealth management. From financial planning, portfolio construction, tax and estate planning, retirement plan services to anything we found interesting.  Enjoy this week’s curated list for your weekend reading!

ECONOMY NEWS

Global Energy Transition: Momentum Lost

• The forward momentum of global energy transition has now stagnated, and the deployment of new energy technology has lapsed into becoming an additive rather than a transformative phenomenon.

Javier Milei Promised To Take a ‘Chainsaw’ to Argentina’s Government. It’s Working.

• Despite skepticism from experts, Argentine President Javier Milei’s radical reforms have successfully curbed inflation, reduced poverty, and created a budget surplus.

• His approval ratings rose as a result, showcasing the popularity of market-driven policies.

Digging Into US GDP at 2024’s Close

• Fisher Investments: “Q4’s speedbumps are temporary, in our view, and don’t point to lasting declines. Conditions broadly don’t look recessionary to us, and stocks hovering near record highs don’t appear to be pre-pricing one, either. Volatility notwithstanding, they are the ultimate leading indicator and would likely signal problems before any economic readout.”

MARKETS NEWS

Nine Lessons the Market Taught in 2024

• Larry Swedroe writes, “One of my favorite sayings is that there’s nothing new in investing, only investment history you don’t know. In 2024 investors were provided with nine lessons. Many of them are repeats from prior years. Unfortunately, too many investors fail to learn them—they keep making the same errors.”

Tilting the Odds in Your Favor

• The Novel Investor asks, “How do you invest more like a casino?” Avoid speculation for one. And keep in mind these 6 things that give you a better than even chance to come out ahead in the long run.

Don’t Freak Out

• Ben Carlson: You have no control over what happens with taxes, trade, tariffs, the Fed, interest rates, economic growth, inflation, earnings or stock market returns. None. So it’s really your reaction to the uncontrollable events that determines your success or failure as an investor.

Stokes Family Office is 100% Family Owned, and has been continually operating in the New Orleans Area for over 35 years.  As a family office, we are focused on family wealth, financial planning, and tax planning. We are your local experts for Gulf South wealth management. Want to hear more from our team? Check out the Lagniappe Podcast.