FINANCIAL BLOG

In our Weekly Market Commentary on November 17, we previewed our Outlook 2026 publication, due out on December 9. We highlighted several keys for markets next year, covering the U.S. economy, stocks, and bonds. This week, we broaden our preview and tease some other factors investors will want to consider when thinking about investing in 2026.

LPL Research provides its Weekly Market Performance for the week of December 1, 2025. Equities kicked off the month of December on a mildly positive note, extending last week’s rebound with a measured advance. With a lack of big directional drivers, the S&P 500 edged back toward record highs, while global stocks ended mostly higher.

Third quarter earnings season winds down over the next couple of weeks and has once again met Wall Street’s high expectations. After tariff-muddled first quarter results, companies did a good job adjusting to tariffs in the second quarter and continued to do so last quarter.