Top Google searches related to investing in 2022

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Top Google searches related to investing in 2022

2022 was a turbulent year for the markets, with geopolitical conflicts, rising prices and the labor market playing a key role. Which stories have captured the attention of investors the most?

This infographic from New York Life Investments outlines the top Google searches related to investing in 2022 and offers a closer look at some of the trends.

Top Google Searches: Year in Review

We’ve handpicked some of the top economic and investment stories that have seen a spike in search interest in the US each month, according to Google Trends.

Peak Interest MonthSearch Deadline JanuaryBig Down FebruaryRussian Stock Market MarchOil Price AprilHousing Bubble MayValue Investing JuneBitcoin JulyRecession AugustInflation SeptemberUS Dollar OctoberOPEC NovemberLayoffs December Interest Rate Forecast

Let’s look at each quarter in more detail, to see how these top Google searches correlated with activity in the economy and investor portfolios.

Q1 2022

The start of the year was marked by record numbers of US worker layoffs and the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war. For example, the price of crude oil skyrocketed after the war, causing supply uncertainty. The early March peak of $125 a barrel was the highest in 13 years.

DateWTI crude oil closing price (USD/barrel) January 2, 2022$76 March 3, 2022$125 December 29, 2022$80

While crude oil lost nearly all of its gains by the end of the year, the energy sector in general performed well. In fact, the S&P 500 Energy index gained 57% over the year compared to the S&P 500’s 19% loss.

Q2 2022

The second quarter of 2022 saw abnormal growth in home prices, renewed interest in value investing, and a bitcoin crash. In particular, over the course of the year, value investments performed much better than growth investments.

IndexPrice Return in 2022 S&P 500 Value Index-7.4% S&P 500 Growth Index-30.1%

Value stocks have generally outperformed during periods of rising rates, and 2022 was no exception.

Q3 2022

The third quarter was characterized by worries about a recession and inflation, along with interest in the US dollar’s rise. In fact, the US dollar has gained against almost every major currency.

CurrencyUSD appreciation against currency (December 31, 2020 – September 30, 2022) Japanese Yen40.1% Chinese Yuan9.2% Euro25.1% Canadian Dollar7.2% British Pound Sterling22.0% Australian Dollar18.1%

Higher interest rates made the US dollar more attractive to investors, as it meant they would get a higher return on their fixed income investments.

Q4 2022

The end of the year was dominated by OPEC cutting oil production, high layoffs in the technology sector and curiosity about the future of interest rates. The Federal Reserve’s December 2022 economic projections offer clues about the trajectory of the policy rate.

202320242025Minimum long-term projection4.9%3.1%2.4%2.3% Median projection5.1%4.1%3.1%2.5% Maximum projection5.6%5.6%5.6% 3.3%

The Federal Reserve expects interest rates to peak in 2023, with rates remaining elevated above pre-pandemic levels for the foreseeable future.

The best Google searches coming soon

After a year of volatility across all asset classes, economic uncertainty remains. What topics will become the top searches on Google by investors in 2023?

Find out how New York Life Investments can help you make sense of market trends.

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