2024 to be a tough one for equities, says Morgan Stanley

2024 to be a tough one for equities, says Morgan Stanley
Bearish strategist Michael Wilson sees challenging times ahead for riak assets.
SEP 18, 2023
By  Bloomberg

After a sharp stock rally this year on the back of resilient economic growth, investors now have a more negative outlook for risk assets in 2024, according to Morgan Stanley’s Michael Wilson.

The strategist — who has retained his bearish view on equities in 2023 despite a 16% advance for the S&P 500 — said there’s a growing debate among clients about whether a recession has been avoided altogether or if it has just been delayed until 2024.

“The majority of investors we’ve spoken with are in the ‘pushed out’ camp and are of the view that 2024 is now looking like a more challenging year for risk assets relative to 2023,” Wilson wrote in a note.

The rally in U.S. stocks in 2023, driven by bets of peaking interest rates and better-than-expected economic growth, defied bearish forecasts coming into the year. A slate of strategists including Societe Generale’s Manish Kabra and BNP Paribas SA’s Greg Boutle recently boosted their year-end targets for the S&P 500. Wilson’s latest year-end target still implies a more than 10% drop for the benchmark.

Latest News

The power of cultivating personal connections
The power of cultivating personal connections

Relationships are key to our business but advisors are often slow to engage in specific activities designed to foster them.

A variety of succession options
A variety of succession options

Whichever path you go down, act now while you're still in control.

'I’ll never recommend bitcoin,' advisor insists
'I’ll never recommend bitcoin,' advisor insists

Pro-bitcoin professionals, however, say the cryptocurrency has ushered in change.

LPL raises target for advisors’ bonuses for first time in a decade
LPL raises target for advisors’ bonuses for first time in a decade

“LPL has evolved significantly over the last decade and still wants to scale up,” says one industry executive.

What do older Americans have to say about long-term care?
What do older Americans have to say about long-term care?

Survey findings from the Nationwide Retirement Institute offers pearls of planning wisdom from 60- to 65-year-olds, as well as insights into concerns.

SPONSORED The future of prospecting: Say goodbye to cold calls and hello to smart connections

Streamline your outreach with Aidentified's AI-driven solutions

SPONSORED A bumpy start to autumn but more positives ahead

This season’s market volatility: Positioning for rate relief, income growth and the AI rebound