The S&P 500, an American stock market index based on the market capitalization of 500 large companies having common stock listed on the NYSE, NASDAQ, or the Cboe BZX Exchange, is up more than 19% in 2019 and so investors are looking to locate the stock’s next big winners. And some Wall Street analysts have given their opinions on which 15 stocks may be on the rise, according to CNBC.
Using FactSet to screen the stocks with the highest average 12-month price targets by analysts, CNBC found names with the highest conviction from Wall Street and then paired down the numbers by choosing the stocks that have gone up in the past three months. The outlet excluded any stocks that have fallen in the past three months.
Analysts surmise that oil and gas drilling company Diamondback Energy’s stock will jump 44% over the next 12 months after a rise of 12% this year. Diamondback, which has the most bullish forecast, stock also has the most buy ratings on Wall Street.
Bank of America Merrill Lynch set a $170 price target for Diamondback in May. The company says Diamondback is a “top pick” because of “a transformational recent acquisition, top-notch execution, increased shareholder-friendly initiatives, and above-average oil leverage.”
Meanwhile, analysts see a 25% upside to General Motors, despite the company’s volatile year. In June, the stock edged higher due to the company reporting a higher than expected first-quarter profit, following cost-saving measures and selling more expensive vehicles.
Credit Suisse initiated coverage on General Motors last week, explaining the company has done a great job in dealing with short term and long term concerns.
The analysts’ favorite stocks also include Morgan Stanley, Raymond James Financial and Citizens Financial Group. On the list is also Pioneer Natural Resources Company, Royal Carribbean Cruises, Raymond James Financial, TechnipFMC, Citizens Financial Group, Dish Network, LyondellBasell Industries, Masco, United Airlines, Applied Materials and Microchip Technology.
Jeff Bezos’ highly controversial Amazon also made the list. Wall Street is predicting an 18% gain for the company over the next 12 months. The e-commerce company has risen 29% in 2019.
Loop Capital raised its price target on Amazon last month to $2,380 from $2,200, seeing its market cap tripling over the next four to five years.
To be sure, consensus analyst opinion doesn’t always work and some investors even use it as a contrarian indicator. However, the list gives you an idea of the stocks analysts are most bullish about in meetings with clients.