Stock Market Rally Risks Losing Steam as Economic Bounce Fades

Market Performance - US stocks have reached record highs this year, with the S&P 500 Index adding $15 trillion in market value since early April and achieving 27 records in 2025, reflecting a 34% gain over the last five months, primarily driven by Big Tech shares [2][3] - The Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts have contributed to a high risk appetite among investors, although there are concerns that the market may have already priced in positive developments, which could lead to stock underperformance if economic growth slows [3][4] Economic Indicators - FedEx Corp. has indicated a potential $1 billion impact from trade volatility and the loss of a key exemption for low-value goods, highlighting the ongoing effects of the global trade war on companies [5] - Economists predict that real US GDP growth will decelerate to 1.5% on an annualized basis in the third quarter, a significant drop from the 3.3% growth reported in the second quarter [6] Investment Sentiment - Analysts at Bloomberg Intelligence suggest that the current economic environment, characterized by middling growth, may present buying opportunities for stocks, as historical trends indicate that such conditions can lead to favorable market performance [7]