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Wall Street Rally Nears Year-End With Rare Signal and Rising Rate-Cut Bets

Analysts warn lofty valuations alongside policy uncertainty could test 2026 returns.

Overview

  • The S&P 500 is on pace for a gain of more than 15% in 2025 after multiple record highs fueled by AI enthusiasm and expectations for easier policy.
  • Traders assign an 87% probability to a Federal Reserve rate cut at the upcoming meeting, according to CME FedWatch.
  • Yahoo Finance reports a market indicator described as a signal seen only once before, highlighting historical patterns investors are watching.
  • Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said in September that equity prices are "fairly highly valued," underscoring valuation risk.
  • Analysts outline three potential catalysts for a 2026 downturn as leadership remains concentrated in AI heavyweights like Nvidia and Microsoft.