Breaking news

Wall Street’s Outlook For The S&P 500 In 2025: Strong Growth Expected

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

December 4, 2024

Wall Street analysts are projecting continued strong returns for the S&P 500 in 2025, with most major banks forecasting a third consecutive year of impressive performance for the index, which tracks the 500 largest public U.S. companies. Investors are buoyed by the ongoing bull market, which is expected to continue into the next year.

Key Predictions

Bank of America: The bank expects the S&P 500 to reach 6,666 by the end of 2025, marking a 10% increase from its current level of 6,050. Analysts, led by Savita Subramanian, attribute this growth to favorable macroeconomic factors, including lower interest rates, increased labor productivity, and a corporate environment of rising profits. Subramanian adds that “the average stock is more attractive than the entire index.”
BMO Capital Markets: This Canadian institution predicts the S&P 500 will hit 6,700 points by year-end, implying an 11% growth. Chief strategist Brian Belsky notes that earnings growth is currently undervalued, and rate cuts by the Federal Reserve should support further gains.
Deutsche Bank: Setting the highest target on Wall Street, Deutsche Bank forecasts a 16% rise, predicting the S&P 500 will end 2025 at 7,000 points. Strategists, including Binky Chadha, suggest that increased capital spending outside of big tech, a global economic recovery, and rising M&A activity will contribute to this strong performance.
Evercore ISI: Focusing on technology, Evercore predicts 6,600 points by mid-2025. Strategists led by Julian Emanuel believe the bull market is “still in its infancy,” signaling the potential for ongoing growth.
Goldman Sachs: With a target of 6,500 points (+9%), Goldman Sachs anticipates continued U.S. economic expansion and an 11% increase in earnings per share, driving market growth.
Morgan Stanley: Morgan Stanley also sets a target of 6,500 points but provides a broader range of potential outcomes, from a bullish scenario of 7,400 points (+26%) to a bearish scenario of 4,600 points (-28%).
UBS: Forecasting 6,600 points by the end of 2025, UBS expects a 10% gain, bolstered by the return of Donald Trump to the presidency, which has accelerated positive market sentiment.
Yardeni Research: This independent firm is even more optimistic, predicting the S&P 500 will reach 7,000 points by the end of 2025, reflecting a 19% increase. Yardeni’s forecast is rooted in the potential economic benefits of a “Trump 2.0” administration.

Big Number

Yardeni Research also predicts that the S&P 500 could climb as high as 10,000 by 2029, anticipating a strong annualized return of 16%.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Key Story

The S&P 500 is on track for a 27% year-to-date gain, surpassing its 23% rise in 2023. This would mark the first time the index has gained at least 20% in two consecutive years since the internet boom between 1995 and 1998. With a 58% rise since the end of 2022, the S&P is poised for its best two-year performance since the late 1990s.

Much of the recent growth has been driven by major tech companies like Amazon, Meta, Nvidia, and Tesla, which have each seen over 150% growth since the end of 2022, defying the pressures of a high-interest rate environment.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Meta’s $18 Billion Settlement Limits State Claims Over Children’s Data

by News Editor

August 28, 2026

Meta’s $18 billion settlement with attorneys general from 29 U.S. states includes a provision limiting future state claims over the company’s use of children’s data for age-assurance systems.

Under the agreement, Meta must develop, train and begin testing a system to identify users under 13 within a year of the settlement taking effect. The company already uses AI-based age-detection tools, although the agreement does not require the new system to use AI.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

States Agree To Limits On Future Claims

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) generally restricts the collection and retention of personal data from children under 13. Under the settlement, the 29 state attorneys general agreed not to bring past, present or future claims under COPPA or similar state laws over the specified use of children’s data.

Meta will not be permitted to use information from users under 13 for advertising, marketing or algorithmic optimisation.

Federal Enforcement Remains Unclear

COPPA is primarily enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, which is not a party to the agreement. That leaves open the possibility of separate federal action over how Meta collects or uses children’s data.

Another issue is whether Meta can keep age-assurance data isolated from its other systems. An independent auditor will monitor compliance, but the settlement does not fully specify what data Meta can retain for training, how long it can be stored or whether derived insights can be used elsewhere.

Legal Risks Remain

Joshua Wurtzel, a partner at Schlam Stone & Dolan, said states could still pursue claims if Meta uses the data outside the settlement’s limits. Such cases could depend on how those limits are interpreted.

Peter Jackson, a data and intellectual property attorney at Greenberg Glusker, said the provision could “disincentivize future enforcement actions.”

The agreement gives Meta greater legal certainty around using children’s data for age assurance, but questions remain over federal enforcement, data retention and secondary use.