It was almost a clean getaway.

Two years almost to the day since it emerged, Covid was crumbling. The combination of vaccinations (77% of Americans with at least one shot) and infection immunity was finally having an effect. Hawaii became the last state to announce an end to indoor masking.

Across the nation school children are finally seeing each other’s faces. Most businesses are instituting some form of back-to-the-office procedures. And business travel is picking up.

Inflation was certainly on the rise, but the Fed pivoted in November to a decidedly hawkish stance with rate hikes scheduled to begin with their meeting this week. The economy remained in a growth mode across many industries, and job statistics continued on a buoyant path.