The S&P 500 Index has rallied mightily off of its March 23 low, climbing almost 40% through the close of the market yesterday, as market participants look ahead to the economy continuing to gradually reopen. While there are signs that bond market participants’ overall assessment of the economy is slowly edging toward a similar outlook, it’s hard to call them true believers yet.

“Bond markets do tend to be more cautious than stock markets,” said LPL Equity Strategist Jeff Buchbinder. “As a result, historically we often get earlier warning signs from bond markets when things are about to go sour, b

2020 is only five months old, but in many ways it is one of the most historic years we’ve ever seen. “2020 went from moving along nicely, to seeing the worst recession in a generation and the fastest bear market ever,” explained LPL Financial Senior Market Strategist Ryan Detrick. “Now stocks are in the midst of one of the best bull runs ever, even though the economy remains extremely weak, thanks to record stimulus and hopes over a vaccine.”

To best sum it all up, here are 10 charts that tell the picture of 2020 so far.

1.) The 2010s were the first decade in history to go all 10 years w

The rally continued as the S&P 500 Index closed out May on the positive side. The disconnect between stocks and the economy generated widespread concern among some investors. At the same time, reopening optimism and massive stimulus overshadowed some concerns about a second wave of COVID-19 infections and increasing US-China tensions. 

The Rally Continues

Stocks have continued to move higher despite concerns that the rally off the March lows has come too far, too fast and concerns about the near-term prospects for the economy and corporate profits.

Economic conditions also have been improving, although

The stock market keeps going higher, yet the economic data remains some of the worst we’ve ever seen. This incredible disconnect has a lot of investors quite confused as to what is really happening.

“Although this record rally has many scratching their heads, we need to remember the stock market is likely looking ahead to better times later in 2020,” explained LPL Financial Senior Market Strategist Ryan Detrick.

For more of Ryan’s thoughts on why stocks have rallied as much as they have, and why it is so very confusing, please watch our recent Street View video below.