On Jan. 7, 2026, investors weighed a massive notes deal, raised guidance, and an approved merger reshaping this real estate platform.

Q4 is expected to slow compared to the stellar 17.1% gain in Q4 '24, but 2026 should remain strong. Q1 estimates indicate 13.3% growth, which is expected to rise to an impressive 17.5% by year-end and 16.5% in early 2027.

Desmond Lachman warns that Trump could be "setting himself up for electoral disappointment" with his brags about U.S. equities.

Some analysts predicted even better performance in 2026. JPMorgan Wealth Management predicted stock gains next year between 13% and 15%. BNY Wealth estimated the S & P 500 would end 2026 as high as $7,600, which would amount to about a 10% jump from where the index stood on Dec. 23. Morgan Stanley also forecasted an increase in 2026 of 10%.

Today, Jan. 7, 2026, a slide in major banks left financials reeling even as AI-fueled tech kept the Nasdaq in the green.

Here's what you need to know about whether U.S. stock markets will be open or closed on New Year's Day this year.

The S & P 500 finished the year up 16%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq climbed 19%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed out 2025 up 13%. A dip in each of the indexes on Wednesday left markets lower in the year’s final trading session.

The Dow was set to open higher Wednesday after closing above 49,000 for the first time in the previous session. Oil prices and gold were falling.

SharkNinja (SN) stock has surged since its 2023 spin-off on strong growth, market share gains, and global expansion. Click here to read my latest analysis.