Société Générale analysts have raised their year-end target on the S&P 500 index to 4,750 from 4,300.
The new price target represents a 25% increase from his initial projection of 3,800 for 2023.
They argue that US stocks should get continued support from artificial intelligence (AI) and fiscal spending. Anticipation that a "no-landing" scenario, which is not yet priced into the market, will become more evident in the coming months as recession concerns are either removed or postponed.
“Put another way, we stay bullish near term, despite the likely jitters in 2024,” the analysts wrote in a client note.
The S&P 500 is seen as attractive compared to other international equity markets. The firm's economic cycle indicator indicates strength in the U.S. economy while pointing to weakness in other regions.
“This picture is also clear for all to see in relative corporate earnings momentum,” they added.
The analysts recommend investors stick with technology and growth shares under certain conditions, adjusting positions in response to ISM manufacturing readings and US 10-year Treasury yields, and considering long positions in energy and consumer staples while shorting consumer discretionary stocks.
Caution is advised for small-cap stocks and financials until the yield curve turns positive. The suggestion is also to buy an equal-weighted Nasdaq strategy to mitigate concentration risk.