The Motley Fool: "History Suggests the Stock Market Will Decline (Possibly Sharply) in 2026"

The Motley Fool published a thoroughly reasoned analysis in late December 2025, citing historical precedent (markets decline in years after strong rallies), unprecedented Fed dissent (three FOMC dissents, the first multiple dissents since 1988), and "elevated valuations across the stock market" raising concerns about an AI bubble. The verdict: expect a "decline (possibly sharply)" in 2026. Fast forward 5.5 months: The S&P 500 sits at 7,553, up from approximately 7,250 in late December. The anticipated sharp decline? Still waiting. Those AI valuations everyone was panicked about? Still pricing in growth. The Fed dissent that signaled market uncertainty? Markets yawned and kept going up. History didn't repeat this time.