The U.S. stock market enters the second half of 2026 on a solid footing, supported by resilient economic growth, healthy corporate earnings and easing geopolitical tensions. While the Federal Reserve has adopted a more hawkish stance and investors are weighing the possibility of another interest-rate hike, cooling oil prices and steady consumer spending remain reasons for optimism.

Market leadership has also started to broaden beyond the artificial intelligence-driven rally, with defensive sectors such as healthcare and consumer staples attracting fresh interest. This rotation reflects a healthier market rather than a weakening one, as investors look for companies with stable earnings and strong fundamentals. In…