Stocks ended on a high note last year, but were tested by the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes, banking turmoil, debt ceiling worries and war in the Middle East. Many early-year consensus predictions about what 2023 would bring — including a recession and several rate cuts — didn’t pan out. CNN spoke with five investors about the biggest lessons they learned and how they’ve helped shape their 2024 outlooks. Fundamentals have to start matteringThe S&P 500 index gained 24% last year despite an earnings recession, often defined as at least two straight quarters of corporate profit losses. Fourth-quarter earnings, which kick off on Friday with results from big banks, are expected to grow about 1% in the fourth quarter of 2023.

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