Optimism in investing these days often resembles the pessimism of only a few years ago. Until the coronavirus struck in the United States earlier this year, upbeat forecasters invariably expected that the economy would expand: The only question was how quickly it would grow. What’s more, the world remains afflicted by a lethal pandemic and the United States is enduring a vituperative and divisive election campaign. Still, investors who have stuck with stocks despite all of the gloom have reaped great rewards, while bond investors have held onto their capital, even if they haven’t generated much income. Without enough optimism to justify taking at least some risk, your money won’t grow in the years ahead.

Source: New York Times October 10, 2020 09:00 UTC