Analysts optimistic about Energy sector and expect growth for S&P 500

Of the 10,528 ratings on S&P 500 companies at the end of December, 54% were Buy ratings, 41% were Hold ratings, and 4% were Sell ratings. Based on the percentage of Buy ratings at the sector level, analysts are most optimistic about the Energy sector (66%) and least optimistic about the Utilities sector (35%).

The bottoms-up target price for the S&P 500 at the end of December stood at 1453.46, which was 15.6% above the December 31 closing price of 1257.60. At the sector level, the Financials sector has the largest upside difference between the bottoms-up target price and the month-end closing price (+24.5%), while the Telecommunications Services sector is the only sector with a downside difference between the bottoms-up target price and the month-end closing price (-1.1%).

Read more about the trends in target prices and recommendations for companies in the S&P 500 index in this month's edition of FactSet Targets & Ratings Monthly.

All of the data used to compile FactSet Targets & Ratings Monthly is available in the FactSet workstation.