Stock Funds Rise 5.6% So Far in 2023

Stocks had their own version of March Madness.

In a first quarter full of unexpected twists, fund investors somehow were able to be winners on average. The challenges included the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, the capitulation of Credit Suisse and still-high inflation. But many investors looked on the bright side overall, making bets that the Federal Reserve will begin cutting interest rates after its relentless rate-increase campaign to stem inflation.