US Bonds vs Stocks: May 2024 Performance
- American shares strongly recovered in May, outperforming major asset classes and achieving the first monthly gain since January.The rally was broad,lifting most global markets.
- The Global Market index (GMI) surged by 6.3%, spearheading the widespread gains in global assets.
- developed market bonds generally declined, with US bonds showing the largest drop at 0.7%—the first monthly decline this year.
US stocks surged in May, marking their first monthly gain as January and leading a global asset recovery.The Global Market Index jumped 6.3%, signaling a notable rebound across various asset classes; this is the most important monthly increase since November 2023. While the broader market saw gains, including a 4.7% rise in the GMI, designed US bonds experienced a decline, the first of the year, dropping 0.7%. Developed markets excluding the U.S. continue to lead year-to-date performance, rising nearly 17% in 2025. Investors are closely monitoring if this momentum can be sustained, considering the performance contrast between stocks and bonds. For nuanced financial insights, News Directory 3 provides additional viewpoint. Discover what’s next for the market and how these shifts will affect your investments.
US Stocks Lead Global Asset Recovery in May
updated June 02, 2025
American shares strongly recovered in May, outperforming major asset classes and achieving the first monthly gain since January.The rally was broad,lifting most global markets.
The Global Market index (GMI) surged by 6.3%, spearheading the widespread gains in global assets. this marks the most critically important monthly increase for US stocks as November 2023. The GMI, a benchmark that tracks major asset classes, advanced 4.7% in May, its best monthly performance in a year and a half, bringing its year-to-date increase to 4.2%.
Not all assets participated in the May rally. developed market bonds generally declined, with US bonds showing the largest drop at 0.7%—the first monthly decline this year.
Looking at year-to-date performance,stocks in developed markets ex-US continue to lead,rising nearly 17% in 2025. Commodities are the weakest performers,declining by 2.8%.
What’s next
Investors will be watching closely to see if the recovery in US stocks and the broader global market index can be sustained in the coming months, especially given the underperformance of bonds and commodities.