At the end of the June 2023 quarter I wrote, "What a difference three months makes?...From cracks and fragile markets to new stock bull markets, property prices bottoming out, and inflation back down the 3% (US YoY)."

It's Sunday night as I write my final piece for 2023. And if I'm being honest with you, it's a bit of a relief. Man, what a year it has been - 2023 feels like I've been in a constant battle. And it's time to put down the sword and take off the armour - because we're done.

It doesn't matter what time of the year it is, whether the market is going up or going down, long-term investors have an edge. An edge that is so incredibly obvious, an edge that is so simple that it is so hard. Thanks to Bespoke, here are 10 simple charts on the benefits of long-term investing.

Welcome to summer. Welcome to December. And just like that, the bulls are on the move and the bears are back in hibernation. November was one for the history books. In years to come, we’ll look back at November 2023 as one of the strongest months for financial markets in history. Not only were markets robust, they were also downright broad and inclusive. The S&P 500 advanced 8.9% (Nasdaq 11%), its 18th biggest monthly gain since 1950, and 6th best November since 1930.

There's a lot I've been thinking about lately. You'd think that as we approach the end of the year, the noise in financial markets would lessen. Alas, we are not there yet.

I attended a conference down on the Mornington Peninsula last week. It's such a beautiful place down that way. In less than one hour, you're in a different world. One where the ocean breeze gently touches your skin. One where the air is fresh and crisp high up in the mountains. Food just tastes better. My mind stops racing. And I feel myself more present in the moment. It's also a place where economists and financial experts gather to ignite a financial frenzy. The perpetual search for the next recession or crash — and the longing for a return to pre-COVID prices, office life, or trade — risk blinding us to the economic realities of the present.