The year 2013 was not just filled with big sports games, political controversies, and new scientific discoveries, but it was absorbed with both exciting and depressing stories to say the least. There are many events to choose from that shaped the world to what it is today, but two main stories stand out:
The Boston Bombing
The Financial Bull Market
These two stories are almost polar opposites. One represents a dark and depressing terrorist attack that traumatized millions and one stands for economic success and opportunity. Both of these events are important, but the one that shocked the world the most was The Boston Bombing, so i'm going to explain it first.
Everyone knows the devastating stories about young people who committed wicked and disgusting crimes toward the people of America. Most of these young adult or teenager mass murders were school shootings. Columbine was carried out by some high schoolers who weren't "understood." The sandy hook shooter was just a teenager when he killed many innocent citizens. It is scary to think how people at such a young age can negatively influence society. The same goes for one of the most important events of the whole year.
It took one day. One day for Americans and other people around the world to be traumatized by news stories and photos reporting the Boston Bombing. It was especially dramatic for young adults and teenagers because it was the first "big thing" that happened and shocked America since they have been alive. It was a terrorist attack, and truly did bring terror to many. The Tsarnaev brothers destroyed the innocence of much of the American youth, and affected the world in such a negative way, that it is one of the most important events of the year.
Even though 2013 had many controversial events and issues, for some the year brought great opportunity and success. The stock market rallying and the economy finally inching it's way back was one of the most important stories of the year. The market index increased 29%, biggest comeback since 1979. Some of my friends and I are avid stock traders, and we have certainly witnessed first hand the surge especially in the 4th quarter into 2014. Another exciting fact is that all of the companies that represent the S&P 500 (the 500 largest companies) were worth $3.7 trillion more in 2013 than 2012. Thats a 32.6% gain in one year! You don't have to be an analyst like Bud Fox to tell that those numbers are good! What does this mean? It means that the economy is slowly but surely recovering, more jobs are being created, and big companies are expanding, investing, and spending their dollars in the future of America.
Some may say that the market is overvalued, and that there is an economic crash sometime in the near future because stocks performed exceptionally well (especially in 4th Quarter of 2013), interest rates are getting higher, and banks are starting to take large risks again after their downfall in 2008. Although the market experienced a slight drop in the first couple weeks of January, I expect markets to continue to take the bull surge from 2013. 2013 was a great year in the finance world with new economic heights not seen for many years. Now the question is: Will Blue Horseshoe love the markets in 2014? The question remains unanswered.
