Market Update Video
Welcome to our July 2026 Market Update!
Investment markets wrapped up a spectacular first half of the year leading into America’s 250th Birthday! In a bit, I’ll run through the different return asset classes shared with us for the first half of the year. Oddly, stocks finished on a slightly negative note to close June as they declined 1.3%1. I feel this was simply a function of stocks taking a breather more than anything else.
So for the first half of 2026, Bond investments, as reflected in the Barclays Aggregate bond index came in last with a mere .6% return, followed closely by the yield on cash of 1.8%.2 Large cap U.S. stocks rose 10.2%.2 Small cap companies delivered the second most powerful returns with 22.6%.2 The winner were emerging market stocks which returned 24%.2
Having shared all of these numbers, are you feeling optimistic about the markets moving forward? Or do things ring more of a pessimistic tone to you? I’m asking this for a specific reason and to help us determine where things may go next. Take a look at the following graphic and where do you think we’re falling?
Source: Fisher Investments, “Understanding Bull Markets,” Exhibit 1: The Market Sentiment Life Cycle. Quote attributed to Sir John Templeton.
I’ll share my thoughts with you next month as well as where I seeing some of the key elements of the markets, such as AI, interest rates and such.
In the meantime, thank you for tuning in and pleas enjoy a wonderful summer!
Successfully,
Tim Truebenbach, CFP®
Senior Vice President – Financial Advisor
Disclaimers and Sources
1 Source: CNBC, S&P 500, 5/29/2026 – 6/30/2026
2 Source: JP Morgan 3Q Guide to the Markets, Asset class returns, p.58
The economic forecasts set forth in this material may not develop as predicted and there can be no guarantee that strategies promoted will be successful.
Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and may not be invested into directly.
The S&P 500 is a stock market index tracking the stock performance of 500 of the largest companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States. Indexes are unmanaged and cannot be invested in directly.
Stock investing includes risks, including fluctuating prices and loss of principal.
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