​Stock market indices increased 2.6% or more in April, as earnings season continued with generally positive results and economic news. The S&P 500 marked its best four-month stretch in nearly nine years, increasing 3.9% to 2,945.83. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), NASDAQ, and Russell 2000 also increased 2.6%, 4.7%, and 3.3%, respectively. Year to date, these indices are up 14% or more.

Stocks ended a volatile month with mixed results, with the S&P 500 index registering a 1.8% gain in March, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average, NASDAQ, and Russell 2000 closed the month with 0%, 2.6%, and -2.3% returns, respectively. It was the strongest quarter for the S&P 500 since the second quarter of 2009.

​The stock market continued to rebound from its weak performance in December, as the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), Nasdaq, and Russell 2000 all climbed 3.0% or more in February. Year to date, the indices are up more than 11.0%. Small stocks appeared to outperform larger stocks, as the Russell 2000 rose 5.1%, outperforming its larger index peers during the month.

​The stock market ended deeply negative in December, with the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), NASDAQ, and Russell 2000 each losing over 8%. The worst market performance in December since 1931 sent the S&P 500, DJIA, and NASDAQ into negative territory for the year, with the S&P 500 down 6.2%, the DJIA down 5.6%, and NASDAQ down 3.9%. The Russell 2000 was down 12.2% in 2018. The year accounted for the worst market performance since 2008.

​Stocks finished strong on the last day of November, helping major indices move further into positive territory. The S&P 500 closed up 1.8% to 2,760.17, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) ended up 1.7% to 25,536.46, and the NASDAQ closed up 0.3% to 7,330.54. Rumors of easing trade tensions with China on Friday helped the NASDAQ move into positive territory for the month. Only the Russell 2000 is in negative territory for the year. 

​US equities rallied on the last day of the worst month for the S&P 500 since September 2011. The S&P 500 closed the month down 6.9%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) closed down 5.1%, the NASDAQ ended down 9.2%, and the Russell 2000 finished down 10.9%. Before the last week of the month, both the DJIA and S&P 500 entered negative territory for the year. 

​Stocks ended September mixed, as the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) led positive returns, while the Nasdaq and the Russell 2000 declined. 

​The Dow Jones Industrial Average (Dow) and S&P 500 had their best August since 2014, closing up 2.2% to 25,964.82 and 3.0% to 2,901.52, respectively. The Nasdaq, which finished the month up 5.7% at 8,109.54, had its best August performance since 2000. During the month, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq reached record highs.

​Markets performed well in July, with major indices closing in strong, positive territory. The S&P 500 increased 3.6% to 2,816 in July and is up 5.3% year to date. Similarly, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) increased nearly 5% during the month to 25,415.19, and the NASDAQ increased 2.2% to 7,671.79. 

​Despite closing down considerably on the last day of May - due to confirmation that the US will proceed with tariff plans against its North American and European allies - broad indices closed the month of May in positive territory.