Stocks rose nicely in July, as the S&P 500 Index returned 3.2% for the month, bringing its year-to-date gain to a stellar 20.7%. The fifth straight monthly gain for the index came amid expectations of a Federal Reserve (Fed) pause, resilient U.S…

Stocks rose solidly in June, as the S&P 500 Index returned 6.6% for the month, bringing its first half gain to a stellar 16.9%. June gains came despite an increasingly hawkish Federal Reserve (Fed) and resulting rise in interest rates as market participants seemed...