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The S&P 500 fell 1.4% this week, ending a three-week winning streak. The index now sits 1.6% below its August 13, 2026 record high. See the latest data.
The S&P 500 declined 1.4% this week, snapping a three-week winning streak and marking the index's worst weekly performance since mid-July [2]. The benchmark is currently 1.6% below the record closing high reached on August 13, 2026 [2].
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Weekly Change | -1.4% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 12.1% |
| Distance from Record High | -1.6% |
| Equal Weight YTD Return | 15.5% |
The recent pullback follows a period of sustained growth, with the S&P 500 currently up 12.1% year-to-date [2]. This performance lags behind the S&P 500 Equal Weight Index, which has gained 15.5% over the same period [2]. The divergence between the two indices highlights the performance gap between the largest market-cap-weighted constituents and the broader index components [2].
Market technicals remain a focal point for analysts monitoring the index's trajectory. As of the latest reporting, the S&P 500 has maintained a position above its 50-day moving average since July 31, 2026, and above its 200-day moving average since April 8, 2026 [2]. Furthermore, the 50-day moving average has remained above the 200-day moving average since July 1, 2025, a trend often used to identify long-term momentum [2].
Market volatility has been a recurring theme, with the index experiencing significant intraday swings in recent years. On April 9, 2025, the S&P 500 recorded its largest intraday volatility of 10.77% since a 19.10% move on December 24, 2018 [2]. Over the most recent 20-day period, the average percentage change between intraday lows and highs has been 0.84% [2].
Historical data provides a backdrop for these fluctuations. The index previously navigated the Global Financial Crisis, falling approximately 57% from its October 9, 2007, high to its March 9, 2009, trough [2]. It took more than five years for the index to recover to a new all-time high, which was achieved on March 28, 2013 [2]. Current market participants continue to track these historical drawdowns and recovery patterns to gauge the significance of recent selloffs, including those observed in 2022 [2].
The shift in momentum this week raises questions about whether the index can reclaim its August peak or if the recent volatility signals a broader consolidation phase. Investors remain focused on whether the current year-to-date gains can be sustained in the face of recent weekly losses.
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AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 3 outlets · Sep 13, 2026 · How we report
The S&P 500 is a stock market index that tracks 500 large-cap companies listed on major U.S. exchanges. It serves as a benchmark for the overall health of the U.S. equity market and is maintained by S&P Dow Jones Indices.
The S&P 500 is a market-weighted index that has been float-adjusted since 2005. This adjustment ensures that only shares available for public trading are included in the calculation of the S&P 500.
The CAPE ratio is a valuation tool that divides the price of the S&P 500 by the last 10 years of inflation-adjusted earnings. As of 2026, elevated CAPE readings for the S&P 500 are historically associated with lower future returns and increased vulnerability to market corrections.
The S&P 500 is maintained by S&P Dow Jones Indices, which is a division of S&P Global. A committee representing various industries selects the components of the S&P 500 based on criteria such as market size and liquidity.