If the idea is to buy low, then going shopping for stocks when markets are flirting with record highs might not seem like the greatest idea. But there are always select names set to outperform — and that's especially true when market leadership is comparatively narrow.
Although a number of the Magnificent 7 stocks have done much of the bull market's heavy lifting, that hardly means these names are doomed to underperform from here. Indeed, as we'll see below, three of Wall Street's top five stocks to buy now hail from the Magnificent 7. Companies from the real estate, aerospace and, uh, french fry sectors are also ably represented.
Here's how we found the top S&P 500 stocks to buy now. It's well known that industry analysts are reluctant to slap Sell ratings on the names they cover. There are a bunch of reasons for this, some more defensible than others. What's less commonly understood is that Strong Buy recommendations, while not nearly as rare as Sell calls, are in somewhat short supply too.
If you run a screen of the S&P 500 using data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, you'll see that analysts assign a consensus recommendation of Sell to a total of two stocks. At the other end of the ratings spectrum stands the Street's highest recommendation of Strong Buy. A total of 25 stocks make the cut there, as you can see in the chart below.
But first a note on our methodology: S&P Global Market Intelligence surveys analysts' stock recommendations and scores them on a five-point scale, where 1.0 equals Strong Buy and 5.0 means Strong Sell. Any score of 2.5 or lower means that analysts, on average, rate the stock a Buy. The closer the score gets to 1.0, the stronger the Buy call.
In other words, lower scores are better than higher scores.
Have a look at the chart below to see the 25 stocks in the S&P 500 that score an elite Strong Buy recommendation from industry analysts. Investors who fear it's too late to buy Amazon.com (AMZN), Microsoft (MSFT) or Nvidia (NVDA) will be happy to see they easily made the list.
Looking ahead to second quarter reports, analysts are calling for: S&P 500 earnings to increase 9.3% compared to a year ago. S&P 500 earnings growth to accelerate in the second half of the year. Full-year S&P 500 earnings growth of 11.4% in 2024.
Looking ahead to second quarter reports, analysts are calling for: S&P 500 earnings to increase 9.3% compared to a year ago. S&P 500 earnings growth to accelerate in the second half of the year. Full-year S&P 500 earnings growth of 11.4% in 2024.
Analysts expect overall S&P 500 earnings to rise 10.4% in 2024, LSEG data showed. But stocks are also at high valuation levels. The S&P 500 trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio - a commonly used metric to value stocks - of 20.9, well above the index's historic average of 15.7, according to LSEG Datastream.
Key Points. The S&P 500 has hit 20 intraday highs in 2024. As stocks climb higher many stock valuations may be stretched beyond their intrinsic value. But it's still possible to find great investment opportunities as the stock market hits new all-time highs.
Here's its new S&P 500 target. The rally in May has also forced one of Wall Street's most prominent bears to turn bullish and bump up his prediction of where equities will go next. Mike Wilson, Morgan Stanley's chief U.S. equity strategist, said he sees the S&P 500 climbing to 5,400 by the second quarter of 2025.
Basic Info. S&P 500 10 Year Return is at 174.4%, compared to 167.3% last month and 156.3% last year. This is higher than the long term average of 114.8%.
The best performing Sector in the last 10 years is Information Technology, that granded a +20.31% annualized return. The worst is Energy, with a +3.81% annualized return in the last 10 years. The main S&P 500 Sectors can be easily replicated by ETFs.
Introduction: My name is Tyson Zemlak, I am a excited, light, sparkling, super, open, fair, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
