Step 1. SPY monthly total returns, 2023, in percent:
   +6.29  -2.51  +3.71  +1.60  +0.46  +6.48  +3.27  -1.63  -4.74  -2.17  +9.13  +4.57 
Step 2. Mean monthly total return, 2023: +2.04 percent
Step 3. Median monthly total return, 2023: +2.44 percent
Step 4. Months positive: 8 of 12 = 66.7 percent
Step 5. Chained calendar 2023 total return: +26.18 percent
        Chained 2023 return on prices alone: +24.29 percent
Step 6. Compound annual market return, January 2000 to December 2025: 8.27 percent a year
        Compound annual market return, January 2003 to December 2025: 11.70 percent a year

Part B, R lane solution: SPY monthly total returns, 2024
  Months, in percent: +1.59  +5.22  +3.27  -4.03  +5.06  +3.53  +1.21  +2.34  +2.10  -0.89  +5.96  -2.41 
  Mean: +1.91 percent;  Median: +2.22 percent
  Months positive: 9 of 12 
  Chained calendar 2024 total return: +24.89 percent

Chapter 1 lab complete.
