Markets

Stock Market Predictions for 2025: A Mixed Bag of Expectations

Published December 14, 2024

The predictions for Wall Street’s stock market outlook for the year 2025 have been shared, highlighting a spectrum of expectations ranging from modest gains to potential recessions. Since 2022, major indices like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 have experienced significant growth, yet future prospects remain uncertain.

Current Predictions: A recent report indicates that the average price target for the S&P 500 by the end of 2025 is approximately 6,539. This suggests a possible increase of about 8% from current levels, but expectations vary widely among analysts.

Strategist Peter Berezin from BCA Research predicts a recession in 2025 that could lead to a 26% decrease in the S&P 500. He connects this potential downturn to an anticipated global economic slowdown and the threat of a global trade war, potentially influenced by the upcoming administration of former President Trump.

Barry Bannister, the chief equity strategist at Stifel, warns investors of an approaching correction of 10% to 15%, highlighting the extreme valuations present in the current stock market.

In contrast, Goldman Sachs expects an 11% increase in corporate profits, underpinned by an annualized growth rate of 2.5% in the US economy alongside a 5% rise in corporate revenues, according to reports from Market Insider.

Mike Wilson, Chief Investment Officer at Morgan Stanley, advocates for a bullish approach to stocks in 2025. He points to the likelihood of interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve and anticipated deregulation under a Trump administration as favorable factors for the market.

JPMorgan has changed its outlook from bearish to bullish for 2025, raising its year-end price target for the S&P 500 to 6,500. This shift is attributed to a strengthening business cycle and ongoing earnings growth. Additionally, UBS foresees upward momentum in the stock market, with a target of 6,600 for the S&P 500.

However, Ned Davis Research has expressed caution, identifying possible risks that could jeopardize the bull market later in the year. Savita Subramanian, a strategist at Bank of America, anticipates more modest gains that could be unevenly distributed across different sectors.

Despite the contrasting forecasts, Wall Street retains a cautious optimism about the stock market's prospects heading into 2025.

S&P 500 Price Targets for 2025

Here are some of the key price targets for the S&P 500 as anticipated by various firms:

  • Oppenheimer: 7,100
  • Wells Fargo: 7,007
  • Deutsche Bank: 7,000
  • Yardeni Research: 7,000
  • DataTrek Research: 6,840
  • Societe Generale: 6,750
  • BMO: 6,700
  • Bank of America: 6,666
  • Fundstrat: 6,600
  • Barclays: 6,600
  • RBC: 6,600
  • Ned Davis Research: 6,600
  • CFRA: 6,585
  • Morgan Stanley: 6,500
  • Goldman Sachs: 6,500
  • JPMorgan: 6,500
  • Citi: 6,500
  • UBS: 6,400
  • Stifel: 5,500
  • BCA Research: 4,450

Overall, analysts suggest a variety of possible outcomes for the stock market’s performance in 2025, reflecting a complex interplay of economic indicators and market sentiment.

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