Stock market analysis: Navigating momentum and managing expectations – LocalNews8.com
jakkapan // Shutterstock
After six months of remarkable market momentum through trade tensions and policy uncertainty, the fundamentals are signaling it may be time for a cautious reassessment. The S&P 500 defied historical norms this fall, shrugging off September seasonality to post a 3.5% return—its strongest September in 15 years. This rally continued through October, driving year-to-date (YTD) returns above 17% and an impressive 35%+ gain since the April market bottom.
Many investors are now eyeing the traditional year-end “Santa rally” as an easy win for continued momentum. The historical data is compelling: Over the past 50 years, the S&P 500 has risen nearly 80% of the time during November and December….




