HOT NEWS: JPMorgan Raises Year End Target on the S&P 500 to 1,160
Published: November 20, 2009 - StreetInsider.com - J.P. Morgan Securities raised its year-end target on the Standard & Poor's 500 index to 1160 from 1100, to reflect its higher 2010 earnings expectations. The brokerage also said that improvement in payrolls, stabilization in home prices, and greater M&A in 2009 versus 2008 could act as potential catalysts and push the index higher. "We believe industrials, technology, and energy are likely to see the greatest upside into year-end, given their greater GDP sensitivity and current low relative valuations, the brokerage said in a note to clients. J P Morgan raised its 2010 earnings view to $80 from $76 for the S&P 500, saying the 2009 higher earnings base was "mostly sustainable." Continued low interest rates and expected GDP expansion should enable companies to generate substantial operating leverage, the brokerage said.