The stock market’s flattish finish certainly doesn’t tell the story of 2015, which experienced dangerous and highly complicated events:
The continued oil decline, the Paris attacks, China’s economic struggles, the first Fed hike in a decade topped the list. It’s actually quite remarkable that things held in as well as they did in 2015. That was due to a handful of stocks that soared, while the vast majority struggled. Amazon flying 120% and Google nearly 50% higher on the year contributed mightily to the S&P 500 BUT neither are DOW components.
Our plan for 2016 is to balance growth investments with beautifully boring blue chips for stability and income. 2015 was a stock picker’s market and we see that continuing in the new year.
Happy New Year.
Mike
