The start of summer is a reminder that we’re almost halfway through the year. For investors, the first six months have seen stocks make sharp moves higher and lower. However, for all the ups and downs, the S&P 500 is essentially flat in 2025.
That’s because the same issues that were concerns in January (e.g., inflation, interest rates, tariffs) continue to weigh on markets. Add in new geopolitical concerns, and it’s not surprising that stocks are behaving in a choppy fashion.
An optimistic view is that even with minimal growth so far in 2025, the S&P 500 stands within 5% of its all-time high. Therefore, positive news regarding any of investors’ broader economic concerns may be all that is needed to propel the market to new heights.
