S&P 500 Seasonality While seasonality in the S&P 500 always tells a story, midterm years rank as the weakest in the four-year presidential cycle but still deliver positive returns more often than not. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Average S&P 500 Performance Around Bear Markets and Corrections U.S. stocks have a history of pushing higher toward bull market peaks before eventually pulling back. In such periods, corrections tend to be brief, with rebounds coming faster than during deeper bear cycles. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
U.S. Stock Market Valuations – Combined P/E Ratio U.S. tech stocks continue to trade at a steep premium versus the rest of the market, despite the recent pullback. Supportive fiscal and monetary winds could help narrow that gap. Image: Topdown Charts
S&P 500 Earnings and Estimates Optimism for 2026 earnings remains high after years of market gains and profit growth, but history shows confidence tends to waver once forecasts meet reality. Image: Real Investment Advice
S&P 500 Annual Performance Based How the Santa Claus Rally Does A missing Santa Claus rally is rarely good news. Since 1950, years that skipped the festive lift have averaged only 6.1% gains. For bulls, that’s a warning sign that 2026 could be choppier. Image: Carson Investment Research
S&P 500 Positioning Indicator With U.S. equity positioning largely neutral, there’s room for investors to lean back into risk. Market conditions remain supportive for risk-on moves. Image: TS Lombard
S&P 500 Use of Cash The buyback cool‑off points to a strategic pivot by hyperscalers, prioritizing massive AI infrastructure rollouts over near-term shareholder returns. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Valuation – S&P 500 Forward P/E Multiple Even with valuations running rich, the S&P 500 trades close to fair value. Solid earnings growth and a resilient economy could keep the rally alive. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Equity Net Long Positioning – Leveraged Funds and Asset Managers Net Future Positions Leveraged funds and asset managers aren’t back to their peak long bets in U.S. stock futures, and with growth resilient, easier policy, and profits steady, the rally might still have legs. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Hyperscaler Capex Hyperscaler capex is on track to jump to about $540 billion in 2026 and $630 billion in 2027. But the spending boom is losing steam, and that cooling trend could put pressure on lofty tech valuations. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Purchasing Power Preservation of Different Investments (S&P 500, Bonds, Gold, Real Estate) Gold keeps its shine, but since 1928, U.S. stocks have sparkled brighter. The longer the horizon, the more momentum favors productive assets. Image: Real Investment Advice