Credit Suisse raises S&P 500 forecast, sees 20% gain for 2019

Underneath the stock market's epic rebound has been a "more favorable" trend that Credit Suisse says will drive the market higher.

The bank dialed up its year-end forecast for the S&P 500 to $3,025 from $2,925 previously. The new forecast calls for a gain of more than 20 percent for the full year 2019 or more than 7 percent from current levels after the big rally to start the year.

That is because all the market risks that tanked stocks in December are now "receding," according to Credit Suisse chief U.S. equity strategist Jonathan Golub.

"Investors might be pleased with the market's recent performance, but it's unlikely they find the underlying dynamics—a more favorable risk backdrop, with decelerating economic and earnings growth—particularly inspiring," Golub said.

"More specifically, less hawkish comments from the Fed, declining inflation and recession fears, and the potential for a resolution to China trade issues are the primary forces driving volatility and spreads lower, and stocks higher," he added.

The market has staged a strong comeback with the S&P 500 up 20 percent from its Christmas Eve low when it dipped into a bear market on an intraday basis. Many have credited the massive sell-off to the fears of a too-aggressive Federal Reserve and a possible recession, now with the central bank signaling a "patient" approach to tightening and better-than-expected economic data, the rally may have more room to run.

Credit Suisse actually lowered its 2019 earnings estimates for the S&P 500 firms to $170 from $174 despite raising its stock price outlook. The firm says the lowered estimates are due to lower oil prices and large tech companies' worsening outlooks.

"We are lowering our estimates solely to reflect the decline in projections for the energy sector and Apple," Golub said.

Credit Suisse's new estimates represent an earnings growth rate of 4.4 percent in 2019, versus the Street's consensus of 3.8 percent growth this year, according to FactSet.

With the Fed on hold and trade deal in sight, that should be enough to lift the market despite the weaker earnings outlook.

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