During strong market times like we experienced in 2024, or times of uncertainty, are you inclined to be more like a tortoise or a hare? As we begin another year, it’s a perspective worth remembering: meaningful growth is often measured over decades, not months or even years.

We find ourselves in a period where sentiment could be aptly described by Charles Dickens’ classic line: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...” Today’s narratives are seemingly contrasting.

It’s been termed the “greatest wealth transfer in history.” As the last of the Baby Boomers reach the age of 60 this year, and the oldest approach 80, an estimated $1 trillion of wealth has begun to change hands.

A little over six years ago, renowned investor Warren Buffett made a bold prediction: The Dow Jones Industrial Average (Dow) would reach the milestone of one million within 100 years. At first glance, his assertion appeared somewhat incredulous since the Dow was hovering around the 22,000 mark. Today, it stands close to the 39,000 level.

It has been said that “Time is the exponent that does the heavy lifting. The common denominator of almost all fortunes isn’t returns; it’s endurance and longevity.” As we look ahead to a new year, don’t overlook the impact of compounding and time on investing success.

One of our modern-day challenges is that technology has ushered in an era of instant communication and connectivity that seems to amplify awareness and sensitivity. There is never a shortage of negative news and today is no exception. Despite economic resilience and growth that has exceeded expectations, we may be distracted by new uncertainties

Many of us systematically understate our chances of living to age 75 by 10 percentage points or more. Yet, according to longevity researchers, those of us alive today have won a longevity lottery. We have been handed an extra 30 years of life compared to just 100 years ago.

It has been said that change is the only constant, and the investing world is no exception. For more than a year, we’ve seen the effects of a rapid change in inflation and interest rates on the financial markets.

Investing is never a smooth road, and 2022 was a difficult reminder that the markets can go down just as they go up. Financial markets were largely challenged by the aggressive actions of central banks in raising rates in their attempt to combat high inflation; a stark contrast to the excessive exuberance of 2021.

As the central banks continue to raise rates in their fight to curb inflation, many observers have pointed to the current outlook for the economy and financial markets as uncertain: Did the central banks wait too long to control inflation? Is a full-blown recession imminent?