The S&P 500 had another stellar quarterly performance, surging nearly 10.6% in the first quarter, its best start to a year since 2019 and follows an 11.7% gain in the final quarter of 2023. Quite notably, the large cap index has only experienced back-to-back double-digit quarterly gains on five occasions since 1950. Catalysts behind the sustained rally include a stronger-than-expected rise in fourth quarter earnings, broadening interest in artificial intelligence beyond semiconductor chipmakers, continued easing in inflation, and an upward revision to economic (GDP) growth. Moreover, fears for a recession have nearly vanished, helping Wall Street begin a countdown toward the Federal Reserve beginning to ease interest rates later this year.