"2024's Elusive Santa Claus Rally: Implications for Investors"

The traditional "Santa Claus rally" did not occur at the end of 2023, with the S&P 500 falling 0.9% during the period typically associated with market gains. This break in the seven-year positive streak is viewed by some analysts as a potential precursor to a bear market or future declines. The Nasdaq Composite also experienced a drop, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a negligible increase. Market sentiment was affected by a reassessment of the previous year's rally and the Federal Reserve's monetary policy direction.