News & Resources

Mid-Year 2026 Market Update

Staying Focused Through Uncertainty

As we reach the halfway point of 2026, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the markets and, more importantly, what we’ve learned over the past six months.

If there was one theme that defined the first half of the year, it was uncertainty.

Nearly every week brought a new headline. Investors grappled with inflation concerns, shifting expectations for Federal Reserve policy, continued conflict in the Middle East, trade policy debates, and questions about the strength of the global economy. At times, it felt like there was always another reason to worry.

Yet despite all of the uncertainty, the markets reminded us of an important lesson: headlines and long-term investment results are rarely the same thing.

Market Performance: First Half of 2026

The first half of the year rewarded patient investors. The S&P 500 finished June up approximately 9.6%, while the technology-heavy Nasdaq gained 12.8%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 8.9%. After a volatile spring, the second quarter proved especially strong as investors looked beyond short-term uncertainty and focused on continued earnings growth and innovation, particularly surrounding artificial intelligence.

9.6%

S&P 500

Finishing percentage in June

12.8%

Nasdaq

Technology-heavy Nasdaq gained

8.9%

Dow Jones

Industrial Average advancement

One encouraging development was that market leadership began to broaden. While technology companies continued to play an important role, gains were no longer concentrated in only a handful of stocks. That’s healthy for the market and reinforces why diversified portfolios remain so important.


The Bond Market Provides Welcome News

After several years in which rising interest rates made fixed-income investing frustrating, bonds are beginning to look like bonds again. Higher yields continue to provide attractive income opportunities, and investment-grade bonds once again served as a stabilizing force during periods of stock market volatility. The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index posted a modest positive return during the first half while offering yields over 4.5% that remain significantly more attractive than investors experienced just a few years ago.


The Biggest Takeaway has Nothing to do with Returns

It’s a reminder that uncertainty never disappears.

There will always be elections, geopolitical conflicts, inflation worries, market corrections, or something unexpected dominating the news cycle. History tells us that markets have successfully navigated every one of those challengesโ€”not because they were easy, but because businesses adapt, economies evolve, and investors who remain disciplined are generally rewarded over time.


Our Investment Philosophy

That’s why our investment philosophy doesn’t change with every headline.

Instead of trying to predict the next market move, we remain focused on the things we can control:

LOOKING AHEAD

2026 Second Half

As we look toward the second half of the year, we expect volatility will continue. Markets rarely move in a straight line, and we’re certain there will be more headlines competing for our attention.

But if the first half of 2026 reminded us of anything, it’s that patience remains one of an investor’s greatest advantages.


Moving Forward Together

Helping you navigate uncertain markets is a responsibility we never take for granted. We appreciate the opportunity to be part of your financial journey and look forward to working with you throughout the remainder of the year.

We hope you and your family have a wonderful summer.

Important disclosure information

Please remember that past performance is no guarantee of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended or undertaken by Verus Financial Partners [“Verus”]), or any non-investment related content, made reference to directly or indirectly in this commentary will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful.

Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the content may no longer be reflective of current opinions or positions. Moreover, you should not assume that any discussion or information contained in this commentary serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from Verus. No amount of prior experience or success should not be construed that a certain level of results or satisfaction if Verus is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services.

Verus is neither a law firm, nor a certified public accounting firm, and no portion of the commentary content should be construed as legal or accounting advice. A copy of the Verus’ current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees continues to remain available upon request or at www.verusfinancialpartners.com.

Please Remember: If you are a Verus client, please contact Verus, in writing, if there are any changes in your personal/financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing/evaluating/revising our previous recommendations and/or services, or if you would like to impose, add, or to modify any reasonable restrictions to our investment advisory services. Unless, and until, you notify us, in writing, to the contrary, we shall continue to provide services as we do currently.

Please Also Remember to advise us if you have not been receiving account statements (at
least quarterly) from the account custodian.

Historical performance results for investment indices, benchmarks, and/or categories have been provided for general informational/comparison purposes only, and generally do not reflect the deduction of transaction and/or custodial charges, the deduction of an investment management fee, nor the impact of taxes, the incurrence of which would have the effect of decreasing historical performance results. It should not be assumed that your Verus account holdings correspond directly to any comparative indices or categories.

Please Also Note: (1) performance results do not reflect the impact of taxes; (2) comparative benchmarks/indices may be more or less volatile than your Verus accounts; and (3) a description of each comparative benchmark/index is available upon request.

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