Issuers ditched AI hardware for Robinhood’s rollercoaster last year.

The S&P 500 (SPX) closed the year with a 16.4% increase, following a 23.3% gain in 2024.  Ten of the 11 sectors in the index saw gains throughout the year. Communication services had the best performance, up 32.41%, while real estate posted the worst results, down 0.35%, according to S&P Global. On the volatility side, the VIX closed down at 15.01 from 17.35 at year-end 2024, but in between it spiked on April 7 at 60.13 over tariffs. While companies like Western Digital,