2023 is now financial history and it will forever be recalled as a year that faked out investors. At the end of 2022, the usual warning signs of recession were flashing red, and the stock market was priced only slightly higher than the post-pandemic bear market low. Defying all expectations, stock prices closed 2023 with a 12-month gain of 24%. Not in recent memory has an outlook so bleak been followed by such strong stock appreciation and econom..