Overview
- The S&P 500 has notched a fresh all-time high, setting the backdrop for 2026 decisions.
- Recent guidance urges investors to keep buying on a regular schedule because short‑term market moves are inherently unpredictable.
- Investor sentiment is split, with about 44% of AAII respondents bullish even as an MDRT report finds roughly 80% are at least slightly worried about recession.
- The Buffett indicator sits near 234%, a level historically associated with overvaluation, though analysts caution that such gauges are imperfect.
- History shows that markets recover over time, and waiting on the sidelines or pausing contributions can forfeit gains, as seen after the 2007–2009 downturn.