This year was marked by dramatic highs and lows across various sectors, leading to a highly stratified landscape. While average figures might paint a picture of a successful year, a deeper look reveals significant disparities: half of the S&P 500 stocks lagged behind, with a few major companies skewing the overall gains. This trend, where a handful of winners dominate the narrative, is becoming increasingly common in fields like finance, tech, politics, and the creative industries, where success often feels like an all-or-nothing game. Social media further amplifies this polarization by showcasing extreme achievements and failures. However, it's essential to keep in mind that both good times and bad are rarely as lasting as they first appear, and over time, things tend to even out to a more moderate state.
