StoneX Group Inc. ( SNEX ) is a small-cap company that is focused on providing its clients access to the capital markets, effectively acting as a “middleman”. Their clients include farmers, middle-market corporations, asset managers, hedge funds, retail traders, and other financialInvesting is where I channel my competitive drive and satisfy my intellectual curiosity. My interest in the markets began early, even before I realized what it was—cataloging daily events in high school simply out of genuine curio ...

The U.S. stock market opened Monday, January 12, 2026, on a cautious note, with major indexes experiencing early declines as investors digested a flurry of news, most notably a criminal probe involving Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and a new policy proposal from President Donald Trump. This comes after a strong close to last week, which saw the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) and S&P 500 (SPX) hit record highs following better-than-expected unemployment data.Major Index PerformanceAt the start of ...

The S&P 500 Index and its ETFs, like the SPY and VOO, will have a highly volatile week as investors react to several potential catalysts, including macro data, geopolitical events, and earnings. The i... ...

NEW YORK, Jan 8 (Reuters) - A forthcoming U.S. Supreme Court decision on President Donald Trump's use of emergency tariff powers could jolt financial markets, especially if the justices strike down the tariffs. The case, which could come as early as Friday, is set to determine whether Trump can invoke the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to ​impose tariffs without congressional approval. During November arguments, the justices signaled skepticism about Trump’s authority to impose the ...

Market volatility is as low as we’ve seen in the last six months as measured by the CBOE Volatility (VIX) Index. VIX is a real-time index that represents the market expectation for near-term volatility in the S&P 500 index. More News from Barchart Investors and traders have long used VIX as a measure of the level of risk, fear or stress in the market. Yesterday, the VIX Index closed at 14.75, which is towards the lower end of the range for the year. Today, we’re going to look at a long call butterfly ...

The S&P 500 and VIX rose in tandem Tuesday. - MarketWatch photo illustration/iStockphoto The stock market has been climbing despite rising geopolitical tensions after the U.S. captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. In the wake of the weekend operation, the S&P 500 index SPX gained 0.6% on Monday and another 0.6% on Tuesday. Perhaps more interesting, however, is that as stocks were gaining, investors were positioning themselves for volatility. The Cboe Volatility Index VIX — often referred to as Wall ...

bigjom jom / Shutterstock.com One of the most important things to remember is that if you want to build up wealth, it's different than retirement income, and if you're on the former side, you want to start accumulating money now. If you're trying to live off your portfolio now, volatility can become highly personal, as a 20% drop in the market over time isn't a buying opportunity, it's actually the money you need for rent and living. Quick Read A 20% market drop threatens retirees who rely on portfoli ...

Core Insights - Activist investors initiated a record number of campaigns in 2025, driven by market volatility, favorable financing conditions, and increased deal activity [1] Group 1: Market Conditions - The year 2025 saw heightened market volatility, which contributed to the surge in activist campaigns [1] - Favorable financing conditions were noted, allowing activist investors to pursue more aggressive strategies [1] Group 2: Activist Campaigns - A record number of campaigns were launched by activist investors, indicating a growing trend in corporate governance and performance improvement efforts [1] - The increase in deal activity suggests that companies are more receptive to changes proposed by activist investors [1]

Market Sentiment - As of 2026, 37% of U.S. investors are optimistic about the stock market for the next six months, while 35% are pessimistic [1] Investment Strategy - Consistent investment is highlighted as an effective method for building long-term wealth, even amidst potential market downturns in 2026 [2] - The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (NYSEMKT: VTI) is recommended as a protective investment option for portfolios [5][9] ETF Overview - The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF encompasses the entire U.S. stock market, containing 3,527 stocks across various market capitalizations and sectors, providing significant diversification [6] - This ETF aims to track the overall market performance, making it resilient during periods of volatility [7] Historical Performance - Since its inception in 2001, the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF has navigated significant market events, achieving total returns exceeding 484% despite short-term volatility [8] - Historically, this ETF has delivered an average annual return of 9.25%, aligning with the market's average over the past 50 years [11]

Markets hate uncertainty — and few events create more widespread uncertainty than national election years. In a recent Market on Close livestream, Senior Market Strategist John Rowland explained a lesser-known but powerful historical pattern: midterm election years tend to be some of the most volatile periods for the S&P 500 Index ($SPX). It’s not due to partisan politics, but rather the result of how pre-election uncertainty affects positioning, capital allocation, and investor psychology. More News fr ...