Read the statement and answer question below:

When it comes to stocks vs$.$ bonds, one isn't better than the other. They serve different roles, and many investors could benefit from a mix of both in their portfolios. Diversification is an important technique for managing investment risks $-$ and a portfolio containing a mix of stocks and bonds is more diversified and potentially safer than an all$-$stock portfolio. There are many adages to help you determine how to allocate stocks and bonds in your portfolio. One says that the percentage of stocks in your portfolio should equal $100$ minus your age. So$,$ if you're $30,$ such a portfolio would contain $70\%$ stocks and $30\%$ bonds. If you're $60,$ it might be $40\%$ stocks and $60\%$ bonds.

As you approach retirement age, you can protect your nest egg from wild market swings by allocating more funds to bonds and less to stocks. Consider a portfolio comprising $100\%$ stocks is almost twice as likely to end the year with a loss than a portfolio of $100\%$ bonds.

a$.$ Consider the explanation above and use supply and demand to evaluate what will happen to stock prices in the following scenario: With the baby boomer generation reaching retirement age in large numbers, discuss the potential effects on stock prices and market dynamics. Consider how the retirement of baby boomers might impact consumer spending patterns, demand for certain industries $($e$.$g$.,$ healthcare, leisure, and retirement services$),$ and investor sentiment towards long$-$term investments. Additionally, analyze potential shifts in asset allocation strategies and investment preferences among retiring baby boomers and younger generations.