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For decades, plain-vanilla index investing was the easiest way to build wealth without losing sleep. The S&P 500 had delivered roughly 10% average annual returns over the long haul, so simply buying a low-cost fund that tracked the index let investors capture those gains without the headache of picking individual stocks.
» Read more about: Beat the S&P 500 Without the Magnificent 7 Risk »
The S&P 500 (^GSPC +1.15%) has now declined in four consecutive weeks, leaving the index nearly 6% below its record high. Apart from energy stocks, it’s been a challenging year for equities across the board, though losses have been more pronounced in certain sectors.
After gaining nearly 1,200% over the past three years, Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) stock is off to a poor start in 2026, down 7% year to date as of this writing. It’s a bit head-scratching, since the company has been demonstrating incredible performance, and it’s anticipating continued high growth as hyperscalers keep spending.
There’s a lot going on in the world right now, and if you’re feeling rattled by it all, you’re not alone.
Stock prices are falling, recession fears are ramping up, and many investors are worried about what this means for their finances. Is it still safe to invest? Or should you hold off until the market stabilizes?
When it comes to claiming Social Security, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. The right filing age for one person may not be right for another with a different savings level or life expectancy.
But as a couple, you have a prime opportunity to make the most of Social Security. That’s because you can stagger your claims at different ages in a manner that works for you.
US stocks rallied and oil prices tumbled Monday after President Trump announced a five-day pause on plans to strike Iranian power plants – though analysts warned that prices are unlikely to completely normalize following severe damage to key Middle East energy facilities.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average soared 631 points,
Gold hasn’t lived up to its status as a safe-haven asset during the three weeks of the Iran war, and that might actually be good news for equity investors, Morgan Stanley said.
The S&P 500-to-gold ratio has surged since the start of the war in Iran, which Morgan Stanley’s top equity strategist,
» Read more about: Why gold's recent declines could be good news for the stock market »
Stock Market Today: The Indian stock market opened sharply higher on Tuesday, following a rally in global markets amid signs of de-escalation in the US-Iran war. The benchmarks Sensex and Nifty 50 gained over 2% in the opening trade.
The BSE Sensex jumped 1,516.08 points, or 2.09%, to open at 74,212.47,
Discover options trading strategies to protect your investments from market crashes. Learn about covered calls, put options, and more to limit losses while earning returns.
» Read more about: 5 options trading strategies to protect your money »
A cautious relief swept through financial markets after President Donald Trump said the United States has talked with Iran about a possible end to their war.
Oil prices eased Monday, and stock prices jumped on Wall Street following severe losses taken elsewhere in the world before Trump’s announcement. The S&P 500 rallied 1.1% for its best day since the war began.
» Read more about: How major US stock indexes fared Monday 3/23/2026 »
