Russell 2000 Surges 21% in H1 2026 as SpaceX IPO Hits Record $87.5B

According to Bespoke Investment Group, the Russell 2000, a U.S. small-cap index, gained 21% in the first half of 2026, marking its best H1 since 1991. The rally was fueled by strong corporate earnings in Q2, particularly in tech. SpaceX's debut IPO accounted for $87.5 billion in listings, representing 92% of Q2 IPO volume, according to KPMG.

West Texas Intermediate crude eased to slightly above $70 per barrel in late June, down more than 30% during Q2 and far below the $200 level some analysts had predicted if the Iran war escalated. U.S. average gas prices fell to $3.85 per gallon, down from a $4.56 peak around Memorial Day weekend, according to AAA.