Will S&P 500 End 2025 Higher?

Forbes

24-06-2025

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 14: A trader signals an offer in the Standard & Poors 500 stock index ... More futures pit at the CME Group December 14, 2010 in Chicago City. (Photo by)
Over the last 100 years or so, the S&P 500 has ended higher in about 70% of the years. Similarly, about 60% of the S&P months have turned up positive. Not a bad bet!
However, what if you didn't have to predict whether the S&P will go up or down in the next 6 or 12 months? After all, most investors can - and should - focus on their broader financial objectives, and look out 10 to 20 years, or maybe even 50 years. Yes - 50 years. We live long, and it pays to focus on your long-term wealth objectives, much like your long-term health objectives!
At least that's what smart money, wealthy family offices, and their advisers recommend.
Anthony Gray is one such professional.Based in Minnesota, in his early 40s, Anthony Gray has taken on a more midwestern demeanor after the last 6 years, despite being originally from NY/NJ. A midwestern demeanor fit to be universally likable.
Anthony is a financial adviser - he got his start at JP Morgan, then spent time at Merrill, and now wants to focus only on doing what's best for his clients. Of course, he did that earlier. Now that he's running his own practice, he just enjoys the vibe that it creates for his clients. True independence matters to him; and his clients.Anthony comes across as someone truly content in life. That shows. And he wants to treat you like family and help you be content as well. Maybe some of that Zen does rub off on his clients.
However, don't mistake his calm for a passive approach. Quite the contrary. Anthony is plenty passionate and active when it comes to protecting his clients.First, understand the client
This takes time, and it's not to be taken lightly. Anthony has worked with many of them for years, and likes to invest time upfront, making sure he understands what the client wants. Sound clichéd? There's an art to it, he says. Don't rush the journey. What smart people do first, fools do in the end. Anthony is patient.
What about exciting investment opportunities - crypto and tax strategies
Sure. Anthony has seen plenty not to be enamored by the new shiny toy. He understands the lure of fresh IPOs and crypto; for example, clients are wondering if Circle stock could be 2x. Crypto is fine, in small doses. Alternatives to S&P, Russell, or Nasdaq? For example, why did he care about the Trefis High Quality (HQ) strategy? It's simple, Anthony says. In 2023, HQ outperformed the S&P - and HQ did it without Nvidia, and while being underweight the Magnificent 7 stocks. That's not the kind of data and results he had seen before. He wanted to learn more about the HQ metrics and story, and how HQ scored >91% returns since inception. Taxes? Of course, he's helped clients manage investments so they're smart about tax implications. Remember, with his time at large firms - like Merrill and JP Morgan - he's seen much. He knows the tools. However, the focus for him is not the tools or the product - it's the client's financial objectives.
Which brings us to the second part of his approach
Anthony's point is, he does not want to try to predict, but rather position the client irrespective of what happens in the market. How does he do that? Simple. Consider a broad range of market scenarios, including 7 market crashes, and ensure your asset allocation is appropriate - "what's the least amount of risk I need to take in order to get over the finish line?" He's done it so many times, Anthony says he can spin up a financial plan in his sleep!
Finally, it's all about continuous dialogue
He continues to engage clients on an ongoing basis. Through good times and bad. Importantly, in bad times.'You do all this work upfront so you can talk your client away from those big, bad, emotional decisions,' says Anthony.
Because there will be those dreadful moments. Loss of a loved one. Big market drops. When things look so bad, they look like they can never get better. Ever again. Think 2008. Think 2022 and, more recently, the tariff wars in 2025. The 20% market drop. They don't come often, see - how low can stocks go in a crash. However, that's when Anthony's clients know he's going to be responsive. Answer their calls right away. And will discourage rash decisions. People have aversions to seeing a wealth adviser - here are 6 aversions. Prevention and planning are more effective for wealth, as much as for health. Anthony has data!
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We will provide perspectives from such professionals who inspire us. Hope they'll inspire you too!