Blistering stock returns this year make the case for a strong second half. Looking back over prior 95yrs of history for the S&P 500, in 61yrs returns in first half were positive. In 28yrs, or nearly half the time, the index posted double-digit percentage gains, including this year which saw the index rise 16% to start the year. And in these years, the second half returned, on average, 6% with a win rate of 75%.