Markets Post Worst First Half of a Year in Decades
Global markets closed out their most bruising first half of a year in decades, leaving investors bracing for the prospect of further losses.
Accelerating inflation and rising interest rates fueled a monthslong rout that left few markets unscathed. The S&P 500 fell 21% through Thursday, suffering its worst first half of a year since 1970, according to Dow Jones Market Data. Investment-grade bonds, as measured by the iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond exchange-traded fund, lost 11%—posting their worst start to a year in history.
Stocks and bonds in emerging markets tumbled,...