Fun Facts from 2024 - 1/13/25

In this episode of Paramount Wealth Perspectives, host Chris Coyle and Chief Investment Officer Scott Tremlett dive into the key market and economic highlights of 2024, reflecting on a year of remarkable milestones, unexpected events, and record-breaking achievements. From the S&P 500’s stellar performance and Nvidia becoming the world’s largest company to gold’s resurgence and global political shakeups, they explore the fascinating shifts shaping the global economy.

Scott also shares intriguing statistics, such as Taylor Swift’s economic impact, SpaceX’s groundbreaking rocket interception, and geopolitical events like South Korea’s political turmoil. As we turn the page to 2025, they discuss what lies ahead, including inflation reports, international monetary policy updates, and key economic indicators to watch this week.

Don’t miss this engaging recap of 2024 and a forward-looking glimpse into 2025. Stay informed, stay ahead, and join us for insights that matter most.

Transcript

Chris Coyle: 0:00

Intro song game on. Hello, everyone. Welcome to paramount wealth perspectives. Your go-to podcast for the latest updates on global markets and current economic events. This is your host, Chris Coyle. Each week we strive to bring you expert analysis on market trends, economic shifts. And key financial developments from around the world. Whether you're an investor business leader. Or simply curious about the global economy. Our podcast is here to keep you informed and ahead of the curve. Now let's dive into the markets and explore what shaping the world of finance today. Here with us today. We have Scott Tremlett chief investment officer and managing partner at paramount associates, wealth management. Scott. Looking back to last week. What are some major events you would like to highlight?

0:59

Thank you, Chris. Markets dropped across the board. Last week is strong job numbers, pushed markets down on Friday. Markets are attempting to price in the trajectory of the federal reserve policy for 2025. We will see what transpires, but I don't see the quarterly rate cuts. Some researchers are expecting. 2024 was an interesting year. Chris, 20, 25 may prove interesting as well. Well, Scott, I'm certainly eager to see how 20, 25 transpires. And I would have to agree with you about the rate cuts. Can you highlight what most intrigued you from last year? Here's some fun facts on 2024, Chris. In no particular order of importance here in the U S the Dow Jones industrial average surpassed 40,000 for the first time. The S and P 500 had 59 all time highs in 2024. With 64% of the returns driven by the top 10 names alone. The S and P 500 end of the year up over 23%. But if you wait all 500 names equally, The equal weight S and P was up only 11% for the year. 4,950. Was the median strategic forecast for the S and P 500. Which ended the year over 6,000. Nydia. Became the largest company in the world. As its market cap, surpassed$3 trillion in June. Surpassing Microsoft as the world's most valuable company. Palentier was the best performing S and P 500 stock. Returning almost 350% for the year. Despite the federal reserve, reducing the policy rate by 1% in the year. The 10-year treasury rate increased by almost 70 basis points. Volatility. Or the VIX hit its second highest level ever in August. Following the unwinding of the, Yen carry trade. And weak labor data in the U S. Gold rose 27% for the year. Marking it's best year since 2010. And hitting an all time high. Unemployment. Rose from 3.7% to 4.2%. Even though non-farm employment grew by nearly 2 million jobs through November. Consumer inflation or CPI. Dropped from 3.3% to 2.7% in November. Moving overseas, the bank of Japan hiked rates for the first time, since 2007. Japan was the only developed market to increase rates in 2024. The Turkey central bank hiked its policy rate by 5% in March alone. The largest single policy rate hike in Europe. Staying with Europe. The European central bank cut policy rates without facing a recession for the first time ever. Moving east. South Korea's president was impeached after declaring martial law against his opposition. Hong Kong stock market had his largest weekly gain in September ever. Globally. 10 of 10 incumbents lost reelection. In all 10 countries that held elections in 2024. This is the first time this has happened in 120 years. Thanks for all that interesting information, Scott. And to all our listeners, if you are interested in looking at any of these facts again, you can find them on our transcript on our Buzzsprout homepage. Now Scott, is there anything else that happened that you would like to highlight from last year? A few more fun facts, Chris. Space X became the first company to intercept a rocket midair. Taylor swift. Won a Grammy for album of the year and is estimated that her era's tour grew the global economy by over$9 billion. Scottie Scheffler won the 2024 masters golf tournament. And they're in$3.6 million. That is an average of$12,950 per shop. And I forgot. Joe Biden with drew from the election 29 days before the democratic national convention. And last but not least. Donald Trump. One, the us presidency. For his second non-consecutive term. Well, it sounds like it was the year of Scottie and Taylor and I certainly wish I made$13,000 on every golf shot. But getting back to what I know you love economics and investing. What are you anticipating for 2025. It was a crazy 20, 24, Chris. And I see another crazy 20, 25. Next week. I will share my list of projections for 2025. I keep it as a scorecard. That will review throughout the year. This week we have producer inflation and consumer inflation. We have a number of international monetary policy announcements. Several numbers from China. We'll see how the stimulus is working there. And the ever important us retail sales number on Thursday. Well, we will certainly have to keep on the lookout for those reports and trends. And I'm sure we will have plenty to discuss next Monday. For now stay informed. Stay ahead. And join us next week for more key updates shaping the global economy. Thank you for tuning into paramount wealth perspectives. We hope you all have a fantastic week.