The trading team at JPMorgan Chase anticipates that the S&P 500 Index could ascend further by year-end, even after experiencing one of the most robust rallies since the early post-dot-com bubble period. According to the bank's derivatives analysts, the most sought-after options trades are betting on the U.S. stock benchmark hitting 6200 to 6300 points this month. This projection suggests a potential 3% to 4% increase from its recent closing level of approximately 6032 points last Friday.
Andrew Tyler of Global Market Research expressed confidence in maintaining a tactical bullish stance heading into year-end. "A favorable macro environment, earnings growth, and continued market support from the Federal Reserve justify our outlook," Tyler stated in a client report on Monday. He further noted that leveraging market momentum seemed prudent, with a low likelihood of a significant pullback before mid-January.
Tyler's team recommended focusing on value stocks and cyclical sectors, such as banks, automakers, and transportation companies, excluding airlines, as well as small-cap stocks in the Russell 2000 Index. Within technology and telecommunications, they advocate for continued investment in the so-called seven major tech stocks, data centers, and semiconductors.
Broadly, Wall Street strategists maintain an optimistic outlook for the remainder of the year, a period historically marked by strong market performance. The prevailing sentiment is buoyed by expectations of robust returns, with historical analysis suggesting favorable outcomes during this time frame.