
Stocks suffered their worst first half of the year since 1970. What's next?
CBSN
Americans with stock portfolios or retirement investment plans would likely prefer to forget the last six months.
The S&P 500, Wall Street's broad benchmark for many stock funds, lost 20% through the end of June after starting the year at an all-time high. It's the worst start to a year for stocks since 1970, according to calculations from Axios.
As the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates sharply, trying to tame the fiercest inflation in four decades, investors have grappled with uncertainty and fear. Higher rates can bring down inflation, but they also slow the economy, raising the risk of a recession. That's helped drag down the value of stocks, bonds, cryptocurrencies and other investments.

Barry Morphew, a longtime suspect in his wife's disappearance and murder, was arrested in Arizona on June 20, 2025, two days after he was indicted on a first-degree murder charge in the case of his wife Suzanne Morphew's death. This was the second time Barry Morphew has been arrested and charged in her death. The initial charges were dismissed without prejudice, meaning authorities reserved the right to charge him again.