Stock investors have little to complain about in the first half of the year. U.S. Large-Cap stocks outperformed every other asset class in the first half of 2024. International equities have also done well, and U.S. Small-Cap stocks are in the black. Happily, the equity side of our portfolios is well-diversified, with a focus on large U.S. and developed markets.

Bonds, on the other hand, are generally struggling. We have been skeptical about how quickly interest rates might come down and, thankfully, have invested quite differently from the bond index.

Model portfolio returns are already at or near our projected annual long-term average. Let’s hope the second half of the year retains the gain and we finish the year strong.