International stock markets outperform record-setting U.S. markets

Despite heating up this month, the U.S. stock market can’t keep up with its international competitors. The S&P 500 is up 15% but is on track to close the year on its weakest note since 2022 as investors show interest in stocks outside the U.S. Part of the problem is attributed to the greenback’s value, which has dropped 6.3% this year amid changes in tariff and trade policies, the Federal Reserve and U.S. government debt. Experts say the U.S. economy will get a boost from falling interest rates and tax cuts, while S&P 500 firms are expected to see 11% earnings growth over the next year.