: For the first time in years, the U.S., Europe, and emerging markets all saw synchronized economic growth. Risks That Investors Watched
: The S&P 500 ended the year with a total return of 21.83% .
Looking back at , it was a historically strong and unusually steady year for the stock market. Investors who entered the market early in the year benefited from a "Goldilocks" economy —not too hot to cause high inflation, but strong enough to drive corporate earnings and record highs. Market Performance Snapshot
Several specific economic and political factors fueled the market’s optimism:
The market was defined by a steady "grind higher" with almost no significant pullbacks:
: Stock records were largely supported by fundamental improvements in company earnings, which "unstuck" after a stagnant 2016.
