As the end of the calendar year approaches, whispers of a stock market rally begin to circulate among investors and financial analysts. But is this so-called "year-end rally" a mere myth?

The turn of the year, 2023 into 2024, is just around the corner. As an investor, you may well be wondering what the new year will be like. In terms of politics, the US presidential elections are approaching. Although the new - or old - president will not be inaugurated until 2025, elections also influence share prices in their run up. This election cycle is in fact known as the four-year cycle.

As 2023 closed out, the financial world buzzed with optimism. The S&P 500 surged over 24%, and the Dow neared historic highs, fueled by easing inflation, a resilient economy, and anticipated lower interest rates. Notably, the market rally wasn't just about big tech names