Skip to contentHome page Seeking Alpha - Power to InvestorsMar. 16, 2026 11:45 PM ETLMP Capital & Income Fund (SCD), XSCDXFranklin Templeton4.62K FollowersCommentsSummaryU.S. equities finished a strong 2025 with more subdued gains in the fourth quarter, with the S&P 500 Index rising 2.7% from October through December to end the year up 17.9%.Contributors included stock selection in health care and consumer staples, along with information technology and consumer discretionary underweights.Alphabet delivered a healthy earnings beat with revenue surpassing $100 billion for the first time, lending credence to its full-stack approach to AI.Market risks remain elevated as a result of anemic economic activity due to still-high interest rates restricting economic growth, tight financial conditions and economic uncertainty.In recognizing the current uncertain investment landscape, we continue to focus on high-quality companies with strong dividend profiles, including high-quality emerging dividend aristocrats, which typically provide more stability.Maximusnd/iStock via Getty ImagesKey TakeawaysMarkets: U.S. equities finished a strong 2025 with more subdued gains in the fourth quarter, with the S&P 500 Index rising 2.7% from October through December to end the year up 17.9%. Health care stocks led the marketThis article was written byFranklin Templeton4.62K FollowersFranklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 150 countries. Franklin Templeton’s mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the company offers specialization on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in fixed income, equity, alternatives and multi-asset solutions. With more than 1,300 investment professionals, and offices in major financial markets around the world, the California-based company has over 75 years of investment experience and over $1.4 trillion in assets under management as of June 30, 2023. For more information, please visit franklintempleton.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.Comments