While the U.S. economy got off to a strong start this year, the country’s upbeat mood seemed to crumble this fall with the autumn leaves. The stock market suffered a sharp correction in October, the sell-off stoked by fears over the prospect of a global economic slowdown. Geopolitical events, from the protests in Hong Kong to the advance of ISIS in the Middle East, also weighed on the minds of investors.

Yet many financial advisers are convinced that the U.S. economy and the global economy for that matter remain headed in the right direction. They expect the United States to continue to enjoy at least modest economic growth next year and are cautiously optimistic about the European Central Bank’s efforts to stave off another regional recession. Many also remain bullish on the long-term outlook for China and other emerging markets, and thus commodities.

Advisers say real assets will continue to play an important role next year in mitigating risk through diversificat