Nothing is for sure when it comes to investing in the S&P 500. But analysts say a handful of stocks come close.
More than 90% of analysts' ratings on 10 S&P 500 stocks, including UnitedHealth, Microsoft and Amazon.com, are "buys," says data from FactSet and MarketSurge. That's a higher proportion of bullish ratings than on any other S&P 500 stocks.
Viewing stocks positively is a sharp change from the selling in the past few weeks. "From the peak on Feb. 19 through the end of the 10.1% decline on March 13, bearishness abounded," says Sam Stovall of CFRA. "As a result, dip-buying investors can't help but hark back to Baron Rothschild's quote that 'The time to buy is when there's blood in the streets.'"
What Should You Do With Your Tesla Stock?
Looking For S&P 500 Winners
The past few weeks of selling make it clear there will be winners and losers in the S&P 500 in the wake of President Donald Trump's policies. And right now, analysts like three of the Magnificent Seven stocks the most.
Microsoft, Amazon and Nvidia carry buy ratings of 95%, 95% and 93%, respectively, from analysts. And that's despite selling in all of the stocks recently. The stocks are down 6.7%, 7.4% and 9.6%, respectively, this year.
Of them all, Microsoft is the favorite. The charts, though, are less bullish. Due to recent selling, the stock's RS Rating is just 25. Earnings, though, are strong with an EPS Rating of 89. The stock is trying to find support at around the 395 level.
But analysts are looking beyond just the "Mag Seven."
Finding Gains Outside Of Technology
Analysts, too, are bullish on airlines despite their sell-offs this year. Analysts' ratings are a buy 96% of the time for Delta Air Lines. And that's following a 19% drop in the stock price this year. United Airlines is down a similar 17% this year, but 92% of ratings remain a buy.
But of all S&P 500 stocks, analysts are most bullish on UnitedHealth Group. More than 97% of ratings are a buy. Shares of the health insurer are up 2% this year. The chart is trying to find its footing, too. The RS Rating is 59 and EPS Rating is 86. The stock, though, is far from support at 630. Analysts must be patient. They think the company's profit will rise 8% this year.
Analysts aren't always right and are often wrong. But they'd have to be really wrong to miss this call.
Analysts' Top 'Buys'
| Company | Symbol | Buy ratings | YTD % ch. |
|---|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealth Group | UNH | 97% | 2.1% |
| Delta Air Lines | DAL | 96% | -19.2% |
| VICI Properties | VICI | 96% | 9.4% |
| Microsoft | MSFT | 95% | -6.7% |
| Amazon.com | AMZN | 95% | -7.4% |
| Nvidia | NVDA | 93% | -9.6% |
| United Airlines | UAL | 92% | -17.4% |
| Trimble | TRMB | 92% | 2.0% |
| Synopsys | SNPS | 91% | -5.7% |
| Teledyne Technologies | TDY | 91% | 9.4% |
