2025 OUTLOOK (Lee): Two “puts” make a right - After 20% back-to-back, Mid-year 7,000, Year-end 6,600

2025 OUTLOOK (Lee): Two “puts” make a right - After 20% back-to-back, Mid-year 7,000, Year-end 6,600

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2025 OUTLOOK (Lee): Two “puts” make a right - After 20% back-to-back, Mid-year 7,000, Year-end 6,600

Click here to view our 2025 Outlook deck in PDF format.

There are strong tailwinds supportive of stocks in 2025. But we see this as a tale of “two years”

  • BASE CASE: Equity risk-on first half, S&P 500 7,000.  Visibility weakens, YE 2025 at 6,600.
  • THESIS: TWO “PUTS” MAKE IT RIGHT:
    – Fed “put” as inflation eases and Fed focuses on supporting employment
    – Trump “put” as White House implements policies to boost confidence & EPS
    – Re-allocation of investor capital from cash/bonds to equities
  • TALE OF TWO HALFS:  After back-to-back 20% gains:
    – 5 precedents since 1871.  Cumulative 4-yr +69% vs 2021-2024 tracking +27% (1-yr left)
    – 4 of 5 precedents saw stocks fall 3rd Year.  Only positive was 1996.
    – 5 of 5 precedents saw stocks do worse in second half of year 3 (2025)
  • WHAT COULD GO WRONG: To us, the downside risks are:
    – DOGE too effective and GDP falls on spending cuts
    – Tariffs are actually implemented and GDP impacted
  • EPS: We see 2025/2026 EPS growth to $275/$300  (yoy 13%/9%) cyclical driven EPS.
    – corporate capex fell past few years, but easing FCIs mean capex recovers. 
    – potential GDP recoveries in Europe/Asia and
    – weaker USD suggests upside to EPS.
    – Productivity improving.
  • P/E: P/E expanding in 2025 towards 22X P/E ‘26E (vs 21X P/E ’25E today). Since 1937, the highest P/E realized when yields 3.5% to 5.5%. When between 4% to 5%, P/E is >18X 65% of the instances. 
  • BEST IDEAS: Top sector pick Small-cap (IWM 0.57% ), Financials (XLF -0.01% ), Industrials (XLI -0.03% ), and Bitcoin-related.
  • 2025 S&P 500 TARGET: Mid-year 7,000.  Year-end 6,600 which is 22X 2026 EPS of $300.

2025: Key Themes and Market Expectations

  • DOGE EFFECTIVE: The most significant “surprise” fundamental developments likely come from the newly created Dept of Govt Efficiency (DOGE).  Surprises:
    – identify areas of poor procurement/gov’t waste
    – headwinds for Govt contractors (IT consulting, Defense, Healthcare)
    – downside pressure on long-term rates (lower future deficits)
  • BITCOIN $250,000: There are two tailwinds for Bitcoin and digital assets in 2025.
    – “halving” price cycle already favors upside for Bitcoin in 2025
    – “friendlier govt regulations” as Trump administration embraces Bitcoin
    – upside to $250,000
  • ANIMAL SPIRITS RETURNS: Many factors restore animal spirits:
    – The dual Fed “put” and Trump “put”
    – de-regulation drives M&A
    – benefits small-caps IWM 0.57%
  • STRONGER TAILWINDS FOR SMID GRANNY THEMES
    SPACE – AI/Labor ->
    Musk involvement in new White House moves “space” forward
    LONGEVITY – Millennials -> Millennials are the most “obese” generation ever. MAHA
    DOGE  – Easing financial conditions + AI -> Palantir/AI gain from DOGE
  • STOCK PICKING: Correlations between stocks falling to 20 year lows. 
    – Good for stock picking à SMID Granny Shots, Newton’s upticks
    – reduced impact from macro drivers, except Fed
  • ROTATION OUT OF “RISK-FREE”: Capitulation of “cash is a strategy”
2025 OUTLOOK (Lee): Two “puts” make a right - After 20% back-to-back, Mid-year 7,000, Year-end 6,600
2025 OUTLOOK (Lee): Two “puts” make a right - After 20% back-to-back, Mid-year 7,000, Year-end 6,600
2025 OUTLOOK (Lee): Two “puts” make a right - After 20% back-to-back, Mid-year 7,000, Year-end 6,600
2025 OUTLOOK (Lee): Two “puts” make a right - After 20% back-to-back, Mid-year 7,000, Year-end 6,600
2025 OUTLOOK (Lee): Two “puts” make a right - After 20% back-to-back, Mid-year 7,000, Year-end 6,600
2025 OUTLOOK (Lee): Two “puts” make a right - After 20% back-to-back, Mid-year 7,000, Year-end 6,600
2025 OUTLOOK (Lee): Two “puts” make a right - After 20% back-to-back, Mid-year 7,000, Year-end 6,600

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