Returns – S&P 500 Index Performance Preceding the First Fed Rate Hike Historically, the S&P 500 tends to do well before the first Fed rate hike. Image: True Insights

Fed Assets as a Percentage of GDP Will the Fed balance sheet decline to 20% of GDP by the end of 2025? Image: Deutsche Bank

U.S. Equity Price Returns from Each Valuation Decile Should U.S. equity investors expect negative annualized returns over the next 5 years? Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research

Stocks – Energy and Financial Stocks on Rising Yields Will 2022 be a good year for energy and financial stocks? Image: TS Lombard

Cash – Total Liquid Assets of U.S. Nonfinancial Corporates The U.S. corporate cash pile grew to US$7 trillion in Q3 2021. Image: BofA Research Investment Committee

Wage Inflation – U.S. Average Hourly Earnings Expectations U.S. average hourly earnings rose more than expected in December. Image: BofA Global Investment Strategy

Coronavirus – Ratio Covid Deaths to Cases in South Africa One reason to be optimistic about the Omicron variant is that the ratio of Covid deaths to cases in South Africa has dropped significantly. Image:…

Percent of Time the S&P 500 Has Risen during Economic Expansions Economic expansions tend to be bullish for the S&P 500. Image: Truist

Valuations – Top 15% Most Expensive Stocks / S&P 500 Last year has been challenging for the top 15% most expensive stocks. Image: Morgan Stanley Research

30-Year U.S. Bond Total Return Minus S&P 500 Total Return Will the S&P 500 continue to outperform U.S. bonds this year? Image: BofA Global Investment Strategy

ISM Manufacturing Index and ISM Prices Paid Index (Leading Indicator) The ISM Prices Paid Index tends to lead the ISM Manufacturing Index by 12 months, suggesting a fall of the ISM Manufacturing Index in 1H22.…