Stocks could soar 30% in the next 2 years if 'mob psychology' doesn't spark a meltdown, market vet says (2024)

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Stocks could soar 30% in the next 2 years if 'mob psychology' doesn't spark a meltdown, market vet says? ›

Stocks could soar as much as 30% over the next two years, as long as "mob psychology" among investors doesn't spark a market meltdown, according to market veteran Ed Yardeni. The Yardeni Research president predicted the S&P 500 could jump to 6,500 by 2026, implying a 30% gain from the benchmark index's current levels.

The AI-fueled stock market bubble will burst in 2026, according to Capital Economics. The research firm said rising interest rates and higher inflation will weigh down equity valuations. "We suspect that the bubble will ultimately burst beyond the end of next year, causing a correction in valuations."

What goes up if the stock market crashes? There is nothing that will definitely go up if the stock market crashes. Interest bearing investments such as money market funds will continue to earn interest. Bonds may hold their value or increase, and individual bonds including Treasury's will continue to earn interest.

Wall Street analysts' consensus estimates predict 3.6% earnings growth and 3.5% revenue growth for S&P 500 companies in the first quarter. Analysts project full-year S&P 500 earnings growth of 11.0% in 2024, but analysts are more optimistic about some market sectors than others.

Stocks tumbled Thursday after the latest U.S. economic data showed a sharp slowdown in growth and pointed to persistent inflation. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 375.12 points, or 0.98%, to close at 38,085.80, weighed down by steep declines in Caterpillar and IBM .

S&P 500 could hit 6,500 by end-2025, says Capital Economics.

Key Takeaways. The U.S. equity market's rally at the end of 2023 has left stocks overvalued, with little room for error. Analysts' estimates for 2024 corporate earnings may be too optimistic, given a likely tapering in U.S. economic growth. Markets may also be overestimating the number of Fed rate cuts in 2024.

No, a stock market crash only indicates a fall in prices where a majority of investors face losses but do not completely lose all the money. The money is lost only when the positions are sold during or after the crash.

Where to put money during a recession. Putting money in savings accounts, money market accounts, and CDs keeps your money safe in an FDIC-insured bank account (or NCUA-insured credit union account). Alternatively, invest in the stock market with a broker.

If you are a short-term investor, bank CDs and Treasury securities are a good bet. If you are investing for a longer time period, fixed or indexed annuities or even indexed universal life insurance products can provide better returns than Treasury bonds.

How high will the S&P 500 go in 2024? ›

The estimates from strategists put the median target for the S&P 500 at 5,200 by the end of 2024, implying a decline of less than 1% from Friday's level, according to MarketWatch calculations. Heading into 2024, the median target was around 5,000 (see table below).

The S&P 500 still has 30% upside between now and the end of 2025, according to Capital Economics. "Our end-2025 forecast of 6,500 for the index is premised on its valuation reaching a similar level to its peak during the dot com mania," Capital Economics said.

It estimated the index to climb above 37,800 points by the end of 2024 and continue the uptrend during the next 5 years. The agency forecasted Dow Jones will close in 2024 at 40,000 points. The updated Dow Jones price prediction for the next 5 years is for the index to trade around 45,000 points.

U.S. stock returns: 2023 optimism carries forward

This heightened optimism is on par with the positive outlook in December 2021, when investors anticipated a 6% stock market return for 2022. Investor expectations for stock returns over the long run (defined as the next 10 years) rose slightly to 7.2%.

Ed Yardeni, the renowned economist and market expert, has made a bold prediction for the future of the stock market. He believes that the S&P 500 could surge by a whopping 26% by 2026 to 6,500.

Optimistic: 6%-7% per year.

If you assume margins and P/E multiples will remain at their current high level, and expect sales and buybacks to grow at their historical rates, then you can anticipate making about 6% in returns per year over the next decade.