U.S. stocks have delivered 8.7% a year since independence was declared in 1776

U.S. markets are marking the nation’s 250th anniversary with a data point rarely highlighted: since 1776, American stocks have delivered an average annual return of 8.7%, according to MarketWatch. The figure underscores a long-term outperformance that has cemented the U.S. as a global economic benchmark, even as geopolitical and economic shifts reshape global finance. Coverage from Fox Business, the Financial Times, and the Australian Financial Review (AFR) frames this milestone as evidence of America’s enduring appeal.

Fox Business lists 10 reasons to remain bullish on the U.S. economy, while the Financial Times examines whether the country’s self-image aligns with its global standing. The Peterson Institute for International Economics weighs in on America’s role in a post-American world economy, suggesting the debate extends beyond markets to geopolitical influence. Watch for deeper analysis on whether this historical return reflects structural advantages or cyclical factors.

The conversation may also pivot to how emerging markets or shifting investor sentiment could challenge the U.S.’s long-standing dominance in the decades ahead.