Dow Jones breaks 50,000
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The S&P 500 tends to fall sharply during midterm election years.
The action in stocks on Thursday showed just how quickly simmering concerns in one corner of the market can boil over into a large-scale rout.
The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) has been on a historical run over the past three years. The index produced a total return of 86% from the start of 2023 through the end of 2025. Most investors are probably looking at their portfolio at the start of 2026 with big smiles on their faces.
Feb 6 (Reuters) - Top brokerages expect the benchmark S&P 500 index to extend its rally in 2026, as investors pile into artificial intelligence plays and bet on reduced borrowing costs to sustain the momentum.
In spite of market gains, one thing has weighed on investors' minds in recent months.
The S&P 500 rose to a new all-time intraday high on Tuesday, aided by gains in Big Tech, as traders awaited earnings from companies in the sector. Traders also looked ahead to the Federal Reserve's first rate decision of the year, due Wednesday.
US indices look a bit sluggish early on Thursday, as the markets are continuing to navigate the earnings season.
US stocks fell, with the S&P 500 having its worst day since October, after Trump threatened tariffs on countries that oppose his plans for Greenland.
Historically, the S&P 500's performance in January is a strong indicator of how it will perform the rest of the year. That's good news for 2026.
The late-cycle economy is defined as the final phase of the macroeconomic cycle when economic activity hits its peak. Read more here.
Many investors wonder what they will do without Howard Silverblatt, a markets data maven, now that he is retired.
Expect more downside if the benchmark index slides below 6,720.