US Indices and Stocks: Price Charts, Trend Analysis, and Investment Opportunities 2024-2025

U.S. Stock Market - The Driving Force of the Global Economy

The U.S. stock market accounts for up to 75% of the global market capitalization, reaffirming its position as the largest and most important financial market in the world. The two main exchanges, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq, handle millions of transactions daily, creating endless investment opportunities.

According to data from Intercontinental Exchange, the total value of the U.S. stock market in September 2022 exceeded $46.5 trillion, with NYSE accounting for over $30.1 trillion. This enormous scale allows for diversification across thousands of companies from various sectors.

U.S. Stock Price Indices - 4 Main Indicators

To simplify market tracking, analysts use four representative indices:

Dow Jones (DJIA) - Developed in 1896 by Charles Dow, it measures the performance of 30 of the largest U.S. companies, accounting for about 25% of market capitalization. The current value hovers around $44,284.8.

S&P 500 - Established in 1957, it is the most popular index, tracking 500 leading companies and representing 70% of the total market value. The 5-year growth performance is 85.78%, with the current value around $6,045.6.

Nasdaq Composite - This exchange includes over 3,000 companies, including startups and tech firms. The index value is 18,210 USD, reflecting the high volatility of the technology sector.

Nasdaq 100 (NAS100) - This index focuses on the 100 largest non-financial companies on Nasdaq, showing an impressive 147.43% growth over 5 years, currently at 21,426.8 USD.

Top U.S. Stocks - Major Names

Technology companies and large conglomerates continue to lead the rankings:

• Microsoft (MSFT) - $442.85, up 256.33% over 5 years
• Apple (AAPL) - $247.39, up 261.33% over 5 years
• Amazon (AMZN) - $224.78, ranked 3rd
• Google (Alphabet) - $186.33, outstanding performance
• Tesla (TSLA) - $400.52, symbol of green technology
• Disney (DIS) - The world’s leading entertainment company

These companies not only represent the strength of the U.S. economy but also shape the future of technology, clean energy, and global media.

Notable Stocks to Watch in 2024

Besides the big names, many small-cap stocks are showing strong growth potential:

• DERM (Journey Medical Corporation) - Up 181.68%
• PRAX (Praxis Precision Medicines) - Up 394.39%
• ZJYL (Jin Medical International Ltd) - Up 750%
• VKTX (Viking Therapeutics, Inc) - Up 795.13%
• SWAV (Shockwave Medical, Inc) - Up 828.8%
• LWAY (Lifeway Foods, Inc) - Up 787%

These stocks mainly operate in healthcare, biotech, and wellness sectors—industries expected to grow strongly.

How to Make Money from U.S. Stocks

Direct Trading vs. Margin Trading

For Vietnamese investors, current legal conditions do not permit direct ownership of U.S. stocks. However, trading via Contracts for Difference (CFD) has become a popular method, allowing profit from price fluctuations without owning the actual assets.

Advantages of this method:

• Profit from both rising and falling markets ()
• Leverage to amplify gains
• Flexible trading with small capital
• Easy access to global markets

U.S. Stock Market Trading Hours

The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq operate from Monday to Friday:

• Regular Trading: 8:30 PM to 2:00 AM (Vietnamese time)
• After-hours Trading: 3:00 AM to 5:30 AM
• Pre-market Trading: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Investors should note these hours to plan effective trading strategies.

Development Trends and Forecasts for 2024-2025

Recovery After Recession

After challenging years in 2022-2023 with the Russia-Ukraine war, energy crises, and global inflation, the U.S. stock market has begun a strong recovery since October 2023.

The S&P 500 increased nearly 10% in the first three months of 2024, while Nasdaq 100 rose 24.17% over the past six months. Dow Jones also recorded a 5.59% increase following signals from the Fed about interest rate cuts.

Key Factors Influencing the Future

Fed’s interest rate policy - Expectations of rate cuts in 2024-2025 are the main drivers. Goldman Sachs forecasts three cuts in 2024 and four in 2025, bringing rates down to 3.25-3.5%.

Geopolitical situation - The Russia-Ukraine conflict and Middle East tensions remain sources of instability. According to analyst David Bahnsen, if Middle East conflicts escalate, markets could decline by 7-10%.

Tech sector performance - With significant weight in indices, the performance of AI, cloud computing, and biotech companies will determine the overall market direction.

Current Investment Opportunities

The U.S. stock market is well-positioned for continued growth. Current investment opportunities include:

1. Large-cap stocks - Safe with stable profits, such as Microsoft, Apple, Google
2. Growth tech stocks - High potential but higher risk, especially in AI and computing sectors
3. Health and pharmaceutical stocks - Sustainable growth driven by aging populations
4. Diversified indices - Through CFD trading on indices like S&P 500 to spread risk

The U.S. stock market remains the top destination for global investors, with the U.S. stock indices continuing to send positive signals for the future.