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The S&P 500 Is Chasing a Milestone That's Only Been Hit 9 Times Since 1926. Here's What History Says Comes Next.

The S&P 500 is up roughly 12% year to date with a total return near 14%, within reach of a third straight year of total returns of 15% or more, a milestone seen only nine times since 1926. In the year after those streaks, the index posted positive returns five times and negative returns four times, so the article finds no clear pattern. The author argues today's market differs from both the mid-1990s and the dot-com boom, because the top 10 companies now make up more than 39% of the index weight and earnings growth is concentrated in a few firms. Given the small sample, the article suggests preparing for multiple outcomes, such as holding cash to buy attractive stocks if the market pulls back sharply, and staying patient, since the S&P 500 has always delivered positive total returns over the long run.

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Original headline: The S&P 500 Is Chasing a Milestone That's Only Been Hit 9 Times Since 1926. Here’s What History Says Comes Next.

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