Yahoo Finance·2025-12-30 10:00Market Performance - In 2025, broad index funds, particularly those tracking the S&P 500, saw an approximate gain of 16%, while tech-focused funds, especially those heavy on Nasdaq, experienced gains closer to 20% [2] - A $100,000 portfolio tracking the S&P 500 increased to $116,000, indicating a wealth addition of over $30,000 without any active management [3] Individual Stock Performance - Stocks categorized under the "Magnificent Seven" and companies like Palantir and Micron Technology delivered significant returns, potentially impacting financial goals such as early retirement and education funding [4] - Western Digital achieved a remarkable 275% increase, while Seagate Technology saw a 226% return, driven by investor optimism regarding AI infrastructure demand [7] - Micron Technology experienced a 210% surge, attributed to historic demand and record revenue, with high-bandwidth memory becoming a key growth driver [8]