The SPDR S&P 500 ETF has had a positive start to the year, up 1.74% year-to-date. The broad market ETF was mentioned as being up 0.3% in one session and down slightly in others, reflecting typical daily volatility. Analysts are broadly bullish on stocks for 2026, with the S&P 500 index continuing to hit new all-time highs. However, a report notes that extreme volatility in individual stocks, potentially driven by concentration in AI-related shares, is becoming a feature of the market.