According to Tim Heisterkamp with Investment Centers of America says 2013 was a very successful year for the stock market.

He states that the Dow Jones, S&P 500 and the Nasdaq were all up 30% and reported the best numbers they’ve had since the mid-1990’s.  Heisterkamp was surprised the market did as well as it did despite the fact that the federal reserve announced that they would cut $10 billion in purchasing bonds later this month.

He talks about comparing 2013 to 2014 and what he expects the stock market to do.

“To think that we’re going to return another 30% in 2014 I don’t believe that’s going to happen but I do believe that 2014 can be a good year as long as the economy keeps on improving.”

Heisterkamp points out that in order for the economy to improve, more people have to get jobs.

As for those looking to invest this year, Heisterkamp encourages you make a plan of having both stocks and bonds and stick with that plan.  He adds that even if 2014 is a negative year for the stock market, that the market makes money seven out of ten years, so an investor shouldn’t be discouraged by how one year turns out.