U.S. stocks pressed higher on Friday after the December jobs report helped quiet concerns about the state of the U.S. labor market.

Positive jobs data and high-profile political backing for Intel pushed major U.S. indexes toward new highs, today, Jan. 9, 2026.

Breaking stock news is now free. Create your account to stay informed—and explore the insights behind every move. The S&P 500 is supported by robust earnings growth and favorable macro conditions, but technicals signal an imminent correction in 2026.

The S&P 500 has barely budged since late October. Yet beneath the surface of the U.S. equity market, big shifts have been taking place.

The markets are generally in a good mood during the Santa Claus rally period. This year was a completely different story.

Some analysts predicted even better performance in 2026. JPMorgan Wealth Management predicted stock gains next year between 13% and 15%. BNY Wealth estimated the S & P 500 would end 2026 as high as $7,600, which would amount to about a 10% jump from where the index stood on Dec. 23. Morgan Stanley also forecasted an increase in 2026 of 10%.

S&P 500 earnings are estimated to increase by double-digit percentages in each quarter of 2026, according to FactSet data. Earnings growth is expected to be the strongest in the fourth quarter at 18.1%. For the year, earnings are being modeled to grow 15%.

A survey from Mizuho shows investors are split on their views of crypto stocks, but both groups are bullish on one corner of the tech sector.

Evidence suggests President Trump's tariffs will ultimately slow economic growth, a particularly concerning prospect because the S&P 500 currently trades at a valuation last seen during the dot-com crash.