Market Trend & Year-End Rally - Seasonality suggests a strong year-end rally, potentially pulling forward gains from 2026 into 2025 [2] - Tech sector is expected to continue leading the market, maintaining a concentrated rally [3][4] - Market needs to broaden out for the rally to continue into 2026 [4] Consumer & Economic Concerns - Concerns exist regarding the impact on middle and lower-income consumers, particularly with potential increases in Affordable Care Act payments, which could rise as much as 114% for approximately 22 million people [5] - A K-shaped economy is evident, with investors and those holding real estate and equities experiencing a positive year, while the lower economy faces challenges [6][7] Investment Opportunities - For the value-seeking consumer, Amazon and Costco are highlighted as potential investments between now and year-end [8] - Costco demonstrates resilience with its profitable membership model, private label growth, and a 15% increase in online sales year-over-year [9] - Amazon's blockbuster earnings, AI investments, and cloud growth (AWS) present substantial opportunities [10][11] - Apple is considered approximately 18% undervalued based on a discounted cash flow model, with ongoing AI integration and a 2 billion install base [12]
Schein: You don’t want to go against seasonality