Leaving behind last year's poor performance, the stock market reached a record high in 2023. However, analysts' outlook for 2024 varies widely, with some fearing that a potential recession could lead to a market downturn and others expecting slow but steady growth that would drive stock prices higher. Mohammed Rasfan/AFP via Getty Images, File“We've avoided a recession this year,” Barry Bannister, market strategist at wealth management firm Stifel, who has a cautious view of stock performance in 2024, told ABC News. “It's either too hot or too cold, but not quite right.”Another major driver of market growth this year was the rise of artificial intelligence. Major stock indices surged especially in the early months of the year on investors optimistic about the benefits of new major technology.

Source: ABC News December 27, 2023 21:45 UTC