As we look ahead to the potential for a bull run in stocks, the experts are weighing in on where the market may be headed next. Ben Laidler, head of equity strategy at Bradesco BBI, is optimistic about the future of stocks, stating that we are just in the early stages of a bull market where the earnings recovery story has only just begun.
Laidler, drawing on his experience from HSBC and JPMorgan, predicts the possibility of two interest rate cuts from the Fed this year, which could further ignite investor excitement alongside strong earnings growth. In fact, he believes that stocks could potentially see a 100% increase over the next five years.
With the current bull market for stocks starting in October 2022, the S&P 500 has already seen an impressive 55% increase since then. This year alone, the index has surged nearly 17%, reaching new record highs along the way. The surge has been largely fueled by the rise of AI, driving popular stocks like Nvidia and Apple to new heights.
As we enter earnings season, investors will be watching closely as companies like JPMorgan and Wells Fargo kick things off. FactSet predicts second quarter earnings growth for S&P 500 companies to be at 8.8%, marking the highest year-over-year growth rate since early 2022. The Communications Services and Information Technology sectors are expected to see double-digit percentage earnings growth.
With a strong fundamental backdrop, Laidler remains bullish on the market outlook, emphasizing the recovering earnings and anticipated rate cuts. The future of AI stocks also looks promising, according to Goldman Sachs portfolio manager Brook Dane.
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