- US stocks logged positive returns through all four quarters, though the fourth quarter return was the year’s weakest at 2.4%. For the full year, US stocks led the way among all major asset classes with a total return of 25%.
- International stocks faced the headwind of a strong dollar in the fourth quarter, leading to a decline of 7.5%. The year’s return was still positive, but relatively weak at 4.4%.
- Emerging markets had a weaker fourth quarter than international developed equities, declining 7.9%, but registered a better year overall with a positive return of 8%.
- Fixed income markets saw quite a reversal in the fourth quarter as prevailing bond yields moved higher. Even so, the quarter’s decline of 3.1% was not enough to wipe out the year’s gain, leaving the 2024 total return for the US bond market at a positive 1.3%.
To access the Quarterly Market Review for Q4 of 2024, please click on the image below:
