{
  "id": 2930128,
  "title": "The S&P 500 Is Near an All-Time High. Here's What History Says Investors Should Do.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/the-s-p-500-is-near-an-all-time-high-heres-what-history-says-2930128",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-22T16:16:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Finance",
    "slug": "yahoo-finance",
    "url": "https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/p-500-near-time-high-161600254.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The S&P 500 has been on a strong upward trajectory this year, reaching several new record highs in August alone and climbing over 12% year-to-date. This scenario poses a dilemma for investors holding cash, as they must decide whether to buy now at potentially peak prices or wait for a potential correction. One historical example that sheds light on this quandary is the emergence of Nvidia in 2009, when a similar \"Total Conviction\" signal indicated a promising investment opportunity. Despite the skepticism surrounding all-time highs, research from J.P. Morgan suggests that investing at these peaks may yield slightly better long-term returns. Over the past 45 years, investing in the S&P 500 at all-time highs has produced a slightly higher average return than purchasing during non-peak periods—9.4% versus 9%. Extending the time frame to two years amplifies this advantage, with a 20.2% return following record highs compared to 18.5% during non-peak days. While the current valuation of U.S. stocks, indicated by metrics like the Shiller CAPE ratio, suggests they are pricey, this does not necessarily imply overvaluation. Interest rate hikes, geopolitical risks, and high expectations for AI advancements could lead to market volatility. However, waiting for a correction involves substantial uncertainty and luck, factors that few investors can reliably navigate. For those comfortable with a 10-year investment horizon, the author advises purchasing a low-cost S&P 500 ETF, such as the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO), rather than waiting for a drop in prices. Although the market may experience pullbacks, history indicates that an all-time high should not deter long-term investors. The article concludes by noting that the S&P 500's near-all-time-high status should not dissuade investors from entering the market, especially when considering the long-term growth potential.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Motley Fool",
        "title": "The S&P 500 Is Near an All-Time High. Here's What History Says Investors Should Do.",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/the-s-p-500-is-near-an-all-time-high-heres-what-history-says-2619992",
        "published": "2026-08-22T15:56:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Nasdaq Markets",
        "title": "The S&P 500 Is Near an All-Time High. Here's What History Says Investors Should Do.",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/the-s-p-500-is-near-an-all-time-high-heres-what-history-says",
        "published": "2026-08-22T16:16:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}