The U.S. stock market had quite a ride in 2024, with the S&P 500 Index soaring over 20% for the second year straight. This remarkable performance was influenced by a mix of factors such as high inflation, fluctuating interest rates, global political tensions, the U.S. presidential elections, and the surge of generative AI. Against this backdrop, plenty of analysts proposed strategies that outshined the market. We utilized TipRanks’ Experts Center Tool to spotlight the top 10 U.S. analysts who boasted a high success rate.
TipRanks plays a key role in highlighting top-performing analysts by evaluating them based on success rate, average return, and number of recommendations. This ranking underscores analysts’ prowess in delivering superior results through astute stock choices.
Let’s delve into the profiles of the top 10 U.S. analysts whose ratings from October 2023 to September 2024 were particularly noteworthy.
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Gerard Cassidy – RBC Capital
Leading the list is RBC Capital’s Gerard Cassidy, who achieved an impressive success rate of 88%, with 91 successful ratings out of 103 recommendations, and an average return of 11.5%. His standout recommendation was on Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB), a company offering banking, insurance, and wealth management services. Cassidy’s buy recommendation on FITB, from October 19, 2023, to January 19, 2024, yielded a 38.6% return. -
Chris Kotowski – Oppenheimer
Taking second place is Chris Kotowski from Oppenheimer. His ratings saw an average return of 14%, with a success rate of 88% from 84 successful ratings out of 95 recommendations. Kotowski’s rating highlight was on Carlyle Group (CG), known for its private equity, credit, and investment solutions. His buy recommendation between August 6, 2024, and November 6, 2024, brought a 38.8% return. -
Ebrahim Poonawala – Bank of America Securities
Ebrahim Poonawala from Bank of America ranks third, thanks to his 82% success rate and a 10.2% average return. His top pick was Western Alliance Bancorporation (WAL), which generated a 55.1% return during October 20, 2023, to January 20, 2024. -
Mark Palmer – Benchmark Co.
Fourth on the list is Benchmark’s Mark Palmer, boasting a 75% success rate and a significant 23.3% average return. Palmer’s recommendation standout was Bitdeer Technologies Group (BTDR), delivering a striking 212.4% profit from September 25, 2024, to December 25, 2024. -
Mark Mahaney – Evercore ISI
Evercore’s Mark Mahaney finds himself in fifth place, achieving an 80% success rate with a 14% average return per rating. His best call was on Meta Platforms (META), which saw a 27.5% return from July 29, 2024, to October 29, 2024. -
Brent Thielman – D.A. Davidson
Brent Thielman from D.A. Davidson holds the sixth spot, with a 79% success rate and a 13.3% average return. His most fruitful recommendation was a buy on Bowman Consulting Group (BWMN), resulting in a 24.4% return from November 8, 2023, to February 8, 2024. -
Christopher Allen – Citi
In seventh place is Citi’s Christopher Allen, who achieved a commendable 85% success rate and a 13.8% average return. Allen’s standout recommendation was on Apollo Global Management (APO), yielding a 64.8% return between September 11, 2024, and December 11, 2024. -
Daniel Fannon – Jefferies
Landing in eighth place is Daniel Fannon from Jefferies, with an 85% success rate and an 11.1% average return. His best rating was on Blackstone Group (BX), delivering a 36.8% return from August 13, 2024, to November 13, 2024. -
Mike Mayo – Wells Fargo
Mike Mayo from Wells Fargo ranks ninth, boasting an 80% success rate and an 8.2% average return. His top recommendation was on Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB), bringing a 38.6% return from October 19, 2023, to January 19, 2024. - Michael Grondahl – Northland Securities
Finally, Michael Grondahl from Northland Securities secures the tenth spot, with a 70% success rate and a 23.4% average return. His most profitable call was on Stryve Foods (SNAX), delivering a staggering 305.10% return from May 15, 2024, to August 15, 2024.
Closing Thoughts
Even with the challenges posed by macroeconomic and geopolitical factors, these analysts managed to deliver solid returns on their stock recommendations. By paying attention to the insights of top professionals, investors have the potential to boost their portfolios and benefit from the expertise of seasoned Wall Street analysts.
