Data from over 70 years of midterm elections reveals a pattern in the U.S. stock market: Before the elections, the market tends to be weak and volatile. But in the 12 months after, it averages a 12.4% gain. In 1974, 2002, and 2022, the market dropped before the elections, driven by stagflation, the tech bubble, and aggressive rate hikes. November 3, 2026, is the next midterm election. Right now, half of U.S. stocks are already in a bear market. The debate over the AI bubble is heating up. U.S. Treasury yields: 5.31%.