Here Are Five Real Risks That Could Crush Stocks in 2024 - and Why They Won't

As U.S. stocks approach record highs and the likelihood of a recession diminishes, steadfast bears in the stock market persist in predicting various catastrophic downturns just around the corner.
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My expectation is that the U.S. market will conclude the year with a 5%-10% gain, grounded in three primary factors: the absence of a recession, a continued contraction of inflation, and the influx of cautious investors entering the market, propelling stocks higher.
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It's prudent, however, to acknowledge opposing views. Here, we delve into the five major concerns voiced by market pessimists and why their predictions are likely to be inaccurate. While market corrections are possible at any time, a full-fledged bear market, characterized by a 20% decline, appears unlikely in the foreseeable future.
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1. Recession in 2024: Predicting a recession is a cause for concern as stock markets typically react adversely to economic downturns. Notably, seasoned market experts such as Jeffery Gundlach and Bob Doll highlight an inverted Treasury yield curve as evidence, a historical precursor to recessions. Contrary to this perspective, the argument contends that the 2023 mini-meltdown in the regional bank sector served as the financial crisis, effectively handled by the U.S. Federal Reserve through liquidity injections. Moreover, declining market interest rates and a productivity boom fueled by increased business investment in technology and equipment mitigate the risk of a credit crunch, a pivotal factor to monitor for signs of economic distress.
2. Consumer Spending Decline: If consumers exhaust their pandemic-related savings and curtail spending, it could negatively impact the economy. Contrarily, the assertion posits that the post-pandemic surge in labor force participation has bolstered total hours and disposable income. The high level of employment and low jobless claims further supports sustained consumer spending. Additional factors such as retiring boomers contributing to spending, mortgage-free homeowners, and a favorable "misery index" underscore a positive outlook for consumer sentiment.
3. Inflation Resurgence: Despite concerns about rising inflation, historical patterns suggest that it tends to recede as swiftly as it rises after a spike. Weak economies in China and Europe contribute to downward pressure on oil prices and goods, countering inflationary trends. Rising rental vacancy rates also suppress rent increases, a key inflation component. For stock investors, declining inflation translates into lower cash yields, historically driving more investment into stocks.
4. Bullish Sentiment Vulnerability: When investor sentiment becomes overly bullish, it poses a risk of market pullbacks. However, prevailing data challenges this notion, indicating that cash at stock mutual funds is not at elevated levels, hedge fund exposure to discretionary stocks is historically low, and households hold a substantial amount of cash. Sell-side strategists' caution is reflected in their recommended portfolio allocations, suggesting a neutral stance and historically leading to positive S&P 500 performance in the subsequent 12 months.
5. Oil Price Spike from Middle East Conflict: While a spike in oil prices could impact consumers and corporate profits, the duration of such disruption would determine its recessionary impact. Historical precedent shows that oil prices remained elevated for six months after the Russia-Ukraine conflict without causing a recession. Factors like a weak economy in China and robust U.S. oil production mitigate upward pressure on oil prices, and doubts about OPEC+ unity further contribute to a nuanced outlook.
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In conclusion, while markets are susceptible to corrections, the argument asserts that the staunch bearish predictions may be off the mark. Staying invested in stocks, particularly in cyclical sectors like consumer discretionary, energy, materials, and industry, along with discounted small-cap names, is recommended as market breadth expands.

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