S&P 500 Index vs. S&P 500 Equal-Weighted Index In 2025, the traditional, market‑cap‑weighted S&P 500 has strongly outperformed its equal‑weighted counterpart because a small group of very large, tech‑centric stocks has driven most of the gains. Image: Bloomberg
Performance – S&P 500 Total Return Index vs. Spot Gold vs. Spot Silver U.S. stocks are rising, but metals are shining brighter. Gold, and even more so silver, have surged since the precious-metals move accelerated, leaving equities lagging as investors tilt toward hard assets. Image: Bloomberg
Arithmetic Average Annual Real Return of S&P 500 over Different Periods Since 2009, S&P 500 investors enjoyed annualized real returns about 50% above the 1900+ historic average, fueled by low rates, QE, and post-crisis recovery. With those supports behind us, forward returns may revert toward historic norms. Image: Real Investment Advice
Market Capitalization – The Smartphone Revolution The iPhone’s 2007 launch ignited a smartphone revolution that sent the market capitalizations of U.S. giants like Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta skyrocketing. Image: Gavekal, Macrobond
S&P 500 Options: % of S&P 500 Listed Volume Expiring within 24 Hours The frenzy in S&P 500 options expiring within 24 hours shows no sign of cooling, now making up more than 62% of total volume and amplifying short-term volatility through fast-turn bets. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
S&P 500 Price Targets If valuations stay where they are, the S&P 500 index could finish 2026 around 7,330, assuming a 26 times multiple on $282 in forward earnings. Image: Real Investment Advice
Gold Price Forecast Gold could glitter brighter in the years ahead, with Yardeni Research projecting a run to $6,000 by 2026 and $10,000 by 2030 on the back of deep fiscal deficits, money-printing excess, and mounting global tensions. Image: Yardeni Research
Russell 2000 Annual EPS Growth Analysts are betting big on 2026, forecasting a 60% surge in U.S. small-cap earnings, fueled by Fed easing, deregulation, and fiscal tailwinds. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Performance – Equities, Bonds and Commodities Equities have held up with surprising strength in 2025, buoyed by solid earnings, rapid AI growth, and easy monetary policy, leaving bonds and commodities trailing behind. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Decomposition of YTD Return in USD Global diversification paid off in 2025 as most major non‑U.S. markets outperformed U.S. equities. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
ISABELNET Cartoon of the Day Bears are wishing for gold this Christmas, chasing safety and inflation hedges, but bulls want just one thing under the tree: more stocks. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas! 🎅🎄