Looking for the stock market outlook for the first half of 2026? See what you should consider heading into the new year to help be prepared.

Wall Street is optimistic about the stock market going into next year on hopes that lower interest rates will lift growth.

The U.S. stock market drifted through a mixed day of trading Tuesday after reports on the economy did little to clear uncertainty about where interest rates may be heading. The S&P 500 slipped 0.2% and remains a bit below its all-time high set last week.

The valuations of some artificial intelligence companies are approaching those of the dot-com boom. But investors worry that pulling money from today’s market risks future gains.

On April 2, the president unveiled his touted tariff and trade policy. It featured a sweeping 10% global tariff, along with higher "reciprocal tariffs" on dozens of countries that were deemed to have adverse trade imbalances with America.

More drops for AI stocks dragged the U.S. market lower, pulling Wall Street to its fourth straight loss and its worst in nearly a month. The S&P 500 fell 1.2% Wednesday.

Nasdaq is planning to submit paperwork with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday to roll out round-the-clock trading of stocks, as it looks to capitalize on a global demand for U.S. equities.

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Ford shifts EV strategy, takes $19.5B write-down and drops current Lightning production. Nasdaq seeks SEC nod for round-the-clock stock trading - report. Holiday shopping season ramps up.

The November jobs and consumer inflation reports will continue to set expectations for interest rate cuts in 2026.