Annual Real S&P 500 Index and 3-Year Average Annual Return The S&P 500 sits about 18% above its three‑year average, a strong run by any measure, but past rallies this sharp rarely come without some turbulence ahead. Image: Real Investment Advice
January Barometer and S&P 500 Index Return Rest of Year When U.S. stocks end January in the green, momentum usually keeps rolling. Historically, a positive January has been followed by above-average returns 87% of the time, with a median return of 13.4% over the next 11 months. Image: Carson Investment Research
Global Economy – GDP Growth Projections The IMF projects global growth at 3.3% in 2026 and 3.2% in 2027. Strong tech spending, policy support, and private-sector agility are keeping momentum alive despite shifting trade winds. Image: International Monetary Fund
Valuation – S&P 500 NTM P/E At a forward P/E of 17 versus 22 for the benchmark, the equal-weight index highlights just how tight market leadership has become. Opportunities may lie in the market’s middle ground, where valuations look fairer and risks more contained. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
S&P 500 Buybacks S&P 500 buybacks have lost some steam lately, but most analysts view it as a short breather following record highs, not a sign that corporate cash is drying up. Image: Deutsche Bank Asset Allocation
Mega-Cap Growth & Tech Positioning At the 57th percentile, positioning points to a market that has gone neutral on mega-cap growth and tech, far from either exuberance or despair. Image: Deutsche Bank Asset Allocation
S&P 500 Market Cap vs. Equal Weighted Returns A wave of sector rotation has lifted the S&P 500 equal-weighted index to record highs, tightening its gap with the market-cap gauge as investors pull back from tech. Image: Real Investment Advice
S&P 500 Four-Year Presidential Cycle In 2025, the S&P 500 moved in step with the Presidential cycle, following the familiar rhythm that often sees U.S. stocks mark a breather in midterm years. Image: Carson Investment Research
S&P 500 Performance Around First Fed Rate Cut When the economy stays firm, Fed rate cuts have a history of boosting stocks and the S&P 500’s current run is no exception. Image: TS Lombard
Spot Gold Are you entertained? Gold hit fresh record highs after Trump rattled markets with threats of new tariffs on Europe, part of his renewed Greenland push that has revived talk of a looming U.S.–EU trade war. Image: Bloomberg
Small Cap Equity Positioning Investor appetite for small-caps stays strong in early 2026, while positioning at the 63rd percentile leaves space for further upside. Image: Deutsche Bank Asset Allocation