Wall Street wrapped the quarter and first-half of the year on a high note. The Dow closed June with a record close and monthly win, while turning in its best first half since 2021. The blue-chip index's quarterly performance was also its best since 2022. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq, meanwhile, finished lower for June but turned in their best quarters since late 2020.
Stealing the show in 2026 are small caps, with the Russell 2000 Index (RUT) wrapping up its best quarter since 2020 and best first-half of the year since 1991. Elsewhere, after opening April 1 at 24.30 and closing today at 16.46, the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX), or Wall Street's "fear gauge," turned in its worst quarter since 2020.
Golf Suffers Worst Quarter Since 2013
Oil prices fell for the day, month, and quarter, as supply concerns faded with reduced geopolitical tensions. August-dated West Texas Intermediate (WTI) settled down 1.8% at $69.50/barrel. It finished the month 25% lower and shed 31% for the quarter, its worst since 2020.
Gold futures fell as well across all timeframes. August-dated gold futures lost 0.4%, to settle at $4,022.70/oz for the session. The safe-haven asset lost 11% in June and shed 14% this quarter, its worst since 2013.
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