Here's a concise summary of YTD performance (as of ~March 27, 2026 close) for the major U.S. indices and groups, amid a March pullback driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, rising oil prices, and increased volatility:
S&P 500: -6.7% to -7.0% (price return ≈ -7%; total return similar). It peaked near 7,002 in late January and is now ~9% off that high.
Nasdaq Composite: Deeper decline, roughly -8% to -10%+ range (tech-heavy weighting amplified losses). It has clearly entered correction territory (≥10% off recent high).
Dow Jones Industrial Average: Around -5% to -7% YTD; confirmed correction territory (>10% decline from its February 2026 high).
Russell 2000 (small-caps): Started strong with early outperformance and rotation, but gave back gains; now roughly flat to modestly negative YTD, and entered correction earlier in March.
Wilshire 5000 (broadest U.S. market): Tracks closely with the S&P 500, down in the -5% to -7% range.
Magnificent 7 (Mag7): Significant underperformance at approximately -15% to -16% YTD. All seven stocks have lagged, marking a sharp reversal from prior dominance.
S&P 493 (S&P 500 ex-Mag7): More resilient earlier in the year (positive/low-single-digit gains in Jan/Feb snapshots, with better breadth and median stock performance). Late-March selling trimmed gains, but it has cushioned the overall S&P 500 and highlighted improving market breadth outside mega-cap tech.
Correction/Bear Market Status
Correction territory (≥10% drop from recent peak): Nasdaq, Dow Jones, and Russell 2000 have entered it. The S&P 500 is approaching (~7–9% off its January high) but not yet confirmed.
Bear market territory (≥20% drop): None of these indices have reached this level. The pullback is viewed by many as a healthy reset after earlier rallies, supported by ongoing earnings growth expectations, though risks from geopolitics and policy uncertainty persist.
Key theme in 2026 so far: Market rotation away from Mag7 toward broader names (S&P 493, small-caps) early on, followed by a broad March selloff. Performance can change daily—verify latest figures on sources like Yahoo Finance or Bloomberg. Long-term investors often treat such volatility as normal.
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