S&P 500 Defies Forecasts, Caps Stunning Three-Year Rally

Global stock markets have completed an extraordinary run, posting double-digit gains for a third consecutive year. Leading the charge, Wall Street's S&P 500 index rose 17% in 2025. This performance easily beat the predictions of financial analysts. The gains came despite ongoing international trade disputes. Investors appeared to ignore, or "shrug off," this period of economic turmoil. The sustained rally highlights a period of significant resilience and growth in major financial markets worldwide.