Key Drivers in Charles Hanover's 2024 Market Forecast

Key Drivers in Charles Hanover's 2024 Market Forecast
In 2023, global stock markets experienced ups and downs, and investors were worried about the economic outlook. However, in 2024, I expect U.S. tech stocks to be the main driving force behind the rise in global stock markets.

Resilience and Opportunities in the U.S. Economy
The U.S. economy showed strong resilience in 2023. Despite continuous interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve, economic data remained stable, the unemployment rate stayed low, and consumer spending remained strong. This is due to the excess monetary policy during the pandemic and the Fed's rate hikes attracting global funds into the U.S. stock market.

• In 2023, U.S. GDP growth is expected to reach 1.5%, which, while lower than in 2022, still shows positive growth.
• The U.S. unemployment rate remained around 3.5%, a historical low, indicating a strong labor market.
• U.S. consumer spending continued to grow, showing optimistic consumer confidence.
  Expectations for Fed Rate Cuts
  As inflation pressures ease, the Federal Reserve is expected to start cutting interest rates in the second half of 2024, further stimulating U.S. economic growth and attracting more funds into the stock market.
  Views from Global Economists:
• Michael Feroli, Chief Economist at JPMorgan, expects the Fed to start cutting rates in Q3 2024 to address the risk of slowing economic growth.
• Jan Hatzius, Chief Economist at Goldman Sachs, anticipates rate cuts will begin in Q4 2024 to support economic growth.
  The digital economy is becoming a major driver of global economic growth, and U.S. tech stocks are leading this sector. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and big data are rapidly developing, creating new business models and investment opportunities.
  The Driving Force of Artificial Intelligence
  AI technology is advancing quickly and is being applied in various fields, such as healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and retail. The application of AI will improve production efficiency, create new business models, and offer huge market potential.
• In 2023, the global AI market size reached $500 billion, and it is expected to grow to $2.2 trillion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate of 25%.
• In 2023, the global cloud computing market size reached $500 billion, and it is projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate of 15%.
  Tech Giants' Strategies
  Global tech giants are actively investing in AI and continually launching new products and services, such as:
• Google: Launched AI-based search engines, cloud platforms, and smart assistants.
• Microsoft: Released AI-based cloud platforms, office software, and gaming platforms.
• Amazon: Developed AI-based e-commerce platforms, cloud services, and smart home devices.
• Apple: Introduced AI-based voice assistants, facial recognition systems, and smartphone operating systems.
  U.S. tech companies have a leading edge in the digital economy, with strong R&D capabilities, rich technology reserves, and large user bases. These advantages will allow U.S. tech stocks to continue strong growth in the coming years.
  Investment Opportunities
• Cloud Computing: The cloud computing market will continue to grow rapidly, benefiting giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google.
• Artificial Intelligence: AI technology will be applied in various fields, boosting productivity and creating new business models.
• Big Data: Big data analysis will help businesses better understand customer needs and offer more personalized services.
  Key Recommendations
• Nvidia (NVDA): Nvidia is a leading manufacturer of graphics processing units (GPUs), widely used in gaming, data centers, and AI. In recent years, Nvidia has made significant breakthroughs in AI, with its GPUs becoming essential for training and running large language models (LLMs). Nvidia has great future growth potential, and investors may consider holding Nvidia stock long-term to benefit from the AI era.
• MicroStrategy (MSTR): MicroStrategy is a business intelligence software company but is known for its significant investments in Bitcoin. The company believes strongly in Bitcoin's future value and considers it a form of digital gold, continuously increasing its Bitcoin holdings, which currently exceed 140,000 coins worth over $3 billion. MicroStrategy's stock price is closely tied to Bitcoin's value, so investors need to carefully assess Bitcoin's future trends. They may consider MicroStrategy stock as an alternative investment in Bitcoin to benefit from its price fluctuations.
  AI4.0 Smart Trading System Predictions
  Notably, the AI4.0 Smart Trading System launched by the AquaSpring Quantum System token project has recommended Nvidia (NVDA) and MicroStrategy (MSTR) based on deep analysis and market predictions. This system uses advanced AI algorithms to identify market trends and provide accurate trading advice.
  Conclusion:
  In 2024, U.S. tech stocks will be the main driving force behind the rise in global stock markets. The resilience of the U.S. economy, expectations for Fed rate cuts, and the rapid development of the digital economy will provide strong support for U.S. tech stocks. Investors should actively pay attention to U.S. tech stocks and seize investment opportunities.
  Disclaimer:The above content is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice. Investors should invest cautiously based on their own situation.