Surprisingly, solid consumer outlays amid elevated inflation and interest rate hikes helped the economy expand, while the AI boom propelled tech stocks northward. Heading into 2024, stretched valuations, geopolitical surprises, and most importantly, the outcome of the presidential election may likely create gyrations in the stock market. From 2012 (when our Director of Research, Sheraz Mian assumed responsibility for the portfolio) through November, 2023, the Zacks Top 10 Stocks gained +974.1%, nearly TRIPLING the S&P 500’s +340.1%.