Financial markets have been choppy since the November election, and for good reason. With the next presidential administration promising sharp policy changes on a broad range of economic issues, there is plenty to be nervous about.
The new proposals are dizzying. The president-elect says he wants to deport millions of immigrants; impose tariffs on all countries, especially China; slash taxes; expand the use of cryptocurrency; eliminate wind-powered electric generation; and increase production of fossil fuels.
It’s impossible to know which policies are fanciful, which will be carried out or what all the economic and market consequences might be. No wonder the markets are confused.
Still, if you need solace, most investors need only check their portfolios. If you have held stocks since the end of 2022, when the market picture improved radically, there’s a good chance that your portfolio has had a spectacular performance. All you…


