When 2024 came to a close, investors had every reason to smile. The iconic Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI), broad-based S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC), and growth stock-powered Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX: ^IXIC) ended the year higher by 13%, 23%, and 29%, respectively.
Catalysts have been aplenty, with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), stock-split euphoria, and better-than-expected corporate earnings fueling year two of the bull market rally. But things really kicked into high gear following Donald Trump's November victory.
