Global stock markets climbed in 2024, helped by falling inflation and the US economy’s success in avoiding a hangover from a strong post-pandemic recovery. While Europe and the UK struggled to make headway, the US maintained pole position at the top of the rich nations’ growth league, pushing shares in New York to new record highs. However,the year ended with jitters in the bond market, as investors feared that central bankers had failed to slay inflationary pressures, forcing many to rip up forecasts about likely cuts in interest rates. Daniele Antonucci, chief investment officer at Quintet Private Bank, says “2024