
Strong start for earnings season creates support for Wall Street's record highs

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The S&P 500 Index Just Did Something for Only the 5th Time in 50 Years -- History Says a Monumental Move Could Follow
Key Points The S&P 500 recently traded above its 20-day moving average for 60 days. This doesn't happen often. Some trend watchers are optimistic. 10 stocks we like better than S&P 500 Index › The market has been buzzing. After nearly tipping into bear territory in April, the S&P 500 index has stormed all the way back to hit all-time highs and is now up about 8% on the year as of July 23. While volatility has calmed down a bit since President Donald Trump first announced high tariff rates back in April, nothing has been able to slow the market down, despite renewed focus on tariffs, some data indicating the economy is slowing, and increasing concerns about the U.S. government's fiscal situation. In fact, the market just did some for only the fifth time in 50 years, and history says that a monumental move could follow. Can the bull market keep going? As reported by MarketWatch, Ryan Detrick, the chief market strategist at the Carson Group, recently crunched some data and found an interesting stat about the recent performance of the broader benchmark S&P 500. On July 21, the S&P 500 closed above its 20-day moving average for 60 straight days. Investors use moving averages to chart levels that could indicate some kind of breakout, meaning stocks heading higher. It's used more by technical strategists, but can be useful for all investors when it comes to identifying trends or sentiment. The S&P 500 has only achieved this feat four other times dating back to 1975, according to Detrick. The good news for investors following this analysis is that when the market has finished above its 20-day moving average for 60 consecutive days in the past, good things have tended to happen, with the average return between 20% and 26% over the next year. Looking out one month, three months, six months, and a year from this event, there are only a few instances in which the market turned red. "It is what it is, yet another clue this bull market has legs," Detrick wrote in a research note. As of this writing on July 23, the S&P 500 looks to be about 1.9% above its 20-day moving average. History rhymes but rarely repeats When it comes to looking at broader market trends, historical data is a great resource. However, history rarely repeats itself exactly, even if different situations often have parallels. That's why market downturns and recessions usually are unexpected, even when people are constantly worrying and watching. Given the amount of volatility the S&P 500 has experienced this year, it's quite possible the roller-coaster ride continues, and then the market still ends much higher one year from now. After all, the market is still dealing with high uncertainty about tariffs, potential concerns about inflation reigniting, and a potential slowdown of the labor market and economy. So I think investors would be right to remain somewhat cautious and remember that market structure has changed a lot over the past several decades. That said, none of these concerns are exactly new, economic data has largely held up well, and it's possible that Trump's recent "one, big beautiful bill," which includes trillions in tax cuts, continues to propel economic growth, at least in the near term. Ultimately, investors are best off trying to take a long-term view, and not buying into individual stocks trading at meteoric valuations or those detached from fundamentals. The longer one holds their investments, the smaller the chance they have of losing money, and most long-term investors tend to do quite well. Do the experts think S&P 500 Index is a buy right now? The Motley Fool's expert analyst team, drawing on years of investing experience and deep analysis of thousands of stocks, leverages our proprietary Moneyball AI investing database to uncover top opportunities. They've just revealed their to buy now — did S&P 500 Index make the list? When our Stock Advisor analyst team has a stock recommendation, it can pay to listen. After all, Stock Advisor's total average return is up 1,041% vs. just 183% for the S&P — that is beating the market by 858.71%!* Imagine if you were a Stock Advisor member when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $636,628!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,063,471!* The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 21, 2025 Bram Berkowitz has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. The S&P 500 Index Just Did Something for Only the 5th Time in 50 Years -- History Says a Monumental Move Could Follow was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
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McDonald's (MCD) Declares US$1.77 Quarterly Dividend Payable September 2025
On July 22, 2025, McDonald's reaffirmed its quarterly dividend of $1.77 per share, reinforcing its dedication to shareholder value, with the payment scheduled for mid-September. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 hit new highs amidst trade deal optimism, buoying broader market sentiment and echoing the upward trend with a 1.3% rise over the past week. Amid this favorable backdrop, McDonald's saw its share price climb by 4.07% over the last month, aligning with bullish market conditions, suggesting that the dividend announcement and positive market trends may have supported this gain. We've discovered 2 weaknesses for McDonald's that you should be aware of before investing here. This technology could replace computers: discover the 26 stocks are working to make quantum computing a reality. The recent announcement from McDonald's reaffirming its dividend of US$1.77 per share underscores its ongoing commitment to delivering shareholder value. Despite economic challenges and competitive pressures outlined in the narrative, this move is likely to reinforce investor confidence. This confidence could support further revenue growth as emphasized by the company's strategy focused on value offerings and menu innovations aimed at attracting a wider consumer base. As McDonald's leverages digital engagement and partnerships to improve operational efficiencies, the dividend payment might also signal positive future cash flow projections, potentially aiding its earnings growth forecast. Over the past five years, McDonald's shares have yielded a total return of approximately 70.91%, including dividends, which highlights the company's resilience and growth capacity. This performance, juxtaposed with a one-year underperformance against the US Hospitality industry (which returned 29.6%), suggests a robust long-term traction in its business operations. While short-term fluctuations have seen McDonald's underpeform its industry, the longer-term gains reflect a steady upward trajectory amidst varied market conditions. Regarding the price movement, the recent climb in share price by 4.07% positions McDonald's at US$299.17, just below the consensus analyst price target of US$328.79. The proximity of the current price to the target indicates a belief in McDonald's fundamental strengths, yet also suggests limited immediate upside unless the company can materially exceed growth forecasts in revenue and earnings. The narrative's emphasis on economic instability and competitive pressures might pose challenges; however, if McDonald's can effectively capture market share through targeted campaigns and menu innovation, it may align more closely with analyst expectations and potentially uplift its market valuation further. Evaluate McDonald's historical performance by accessing our past performance report. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include MCD. This article was originally published by Simply Wall St. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Sign in to access your portfolio

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3 hours ago
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Tariff Noise Receding Into the Background for Markets, Rainwater Equity CEO Says
Rainwater Equity Founder and CEO Joseph Shaposhnik says he views "the S&P 500 in the US as the great growth stock of all countries today." He tells Bloomberg Television that President Trump's ongoing trade deals will "be positive" for US stocks as they lessen "the uncertainty that has faced the markets for the last six months." Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data