It is now clear that we have entered a new era marked by a series of consecutive interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, which is almost certain.
For the first time since March 2020, the federal funds rate has been lowered by 0.5%, double what many economists had anticipated. Interestingly, this isn't the end of the story.
The Federal Reserve is expected to continue cutting rates throughout this year and into 2025, with the federal funds rate predicted to drop to 3.4% by the end of next year.
But how might stocks react during such a period?
In theory, lower interest rates should boost stock prices, as lower borrowing costs allow companies to retain more profits from their sales.
Additionally, rate cuts enhance the appeal of stocks compared to bonds, as bond yields decrease when bond prices rise (bond yields move inversely to bond prices).
This article will highlight the best sectors and stocks that might benefit from rate cuts, with the likelihood of further reductions this year and into 2025.
In a low-interest-rate environment, certain stocks and sectors that have underperformed might start to outshine the large-cap tech stocks that have been investor favorites in recent years.
The real estate sector and REITs stand to benefit the most from lower interest rates in two ways: companies often expand by purchasing and developing real estate through loans, while individuals are incentivized to buy homes due to lower mortgage costs.
Some of the best stocks in this area include:
Market Cap | PE Ratio | Current Stock Price | Analysts’ Avg. Price Target |
---|---|---|---|
$62.53 billion | 12.89 | $191.89 | $214.63 |
Market Cap | PE Ratio | Current Stock Price | Analysts’ Avg. Price Target |
---|---|---|---|
$3.69 billion | 29.39 | $48.57 | $57.14 |
Market Cap | PE Ratio | Current Stock Price | Analysts’ Avg. Price Target |
---|---|---|---|
$53.67 billion | 57.89 | $61.53 | $63.90 |
The consumer goods and discretionary goods sectors also benefit from lower interest rates, especially when it comes to big-ticket items like cars and luxury goods.
Market Cap | PE Ratio | Current Stock Price | Analysts’ Avg. Price Target |
---|---|---|---|
$54.94 billion | 5.55 | $48.88 | $54.57 |
Market Cap | PE Ratio | Current Stock Price | Analysts’ Avg. Price Target |
---|---|---|---|
$51.25 billion | 7.24 | $32.72 | $35.00 |
Lower interest rates can help boost economic growth and raise crude oil prices, making the energy sector one of the best options in this environment.
Market Cap | PE Ratio | Current Stock Price | Analysts’ Avg. Price Target |
---|---|---|---|
$512.12 billion | 13.80 | $115.27 | $134.00 |
Market Cap | PE Ratio | Current Stock Price | Analysts’ Avg. Price Target |
---|---|---|---|
$127.59 billion | 12.22 | $109.87 | $142.60 |
The healthcare sector also benefits from lower interest rates as hospitals and healthcare companies can finance expansion projects and purchase medical equipment at lower costs.
Market Cap | PE Ratio | Current Stock Price | Analysts’ Avg. Price Target |
---|---|---|---|
$530.97 billion | 37.99 | $575.00 | $605.83 |
Ethereum price (ETHUSD) hovers around 2623.77$ level and keeps its stability above it, thus, no change to the expected bullish trend on the intraday basis, supported by the EMA50, which targets 2775.00$ followed by 2905.28$ levels as next main stations, noting that breaking 2623.77$ will stop the bullish trend and push the price to return to the main bearish track again.
The expected trading range for today is between 2530.00$ support and 2750.00$ resistance.
Trend forecast: Bullish
Bitcoin price (BTCUSD) shows more bullish bias to surpass 64000.00$ barrier, reinforcing the expectations of continuing the bullish trend, and the way is open to achieve our waited target at 65480.00$, noting that breaching this level will push the price to achieve additional gains that reach 66845.00$ followed by 68000.00$ as next main stations.
The bullish channel organizes the suggested bullish wave, noting that breaking 62675.00$ will push the price to turn to decline and head to test the key support 60326.70$ before any new attempt to rise.
The expected trading range for today is between 63000.00$ support and 66500.00$ resistance.
Trend forecast: Bullish
Sugar price managed to breach 22.73$ level and closed the daily candlestick above it, reinforcing the expectations of continuing the bullish trend on the intraday and short-term basis, as it succeeded to achieve our first waited extended target at 23.00$, waiting for more rise to visit 23.90$ as a next station.
Holding above 22.73$ is important to the continuation of the expected rise and guarantee not turning to decline.
The expected trading range for today is between 22.80$ support and 23.80$ resistance
Trend forecast: Bullish