Key Highlights
- 10 stocks we like better than S&P 500 Index › Heading into 2026, it looks as though the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) will be coming off a third consecutive year of outperforming its long-run average of 10%.
- As of Monday's close, the index was up over 16% thus far in 2025, which is actually lower than the previous two years when it rose by more than 23%.
- Investors have remained bullish on the stock market despite concerns of rising valuations and a potential bubble due to artificial intelligence (AI).
- Some, however, are worried that the market may be overdue for a steep correction, possibly even a crash given how expensive many stocks are.
- I wouldn't be surprised to see another year of slowing returns for the market in 2026, but just how good or bad things will be will likely depend on one key decision.
