EXCLUSIVE: How High Will S&P 500 Go Under Donald Trump In 2025? Readers Are Optimistic, 26% Say This…

The S&P 500 Index and many stocks saw gains after Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election. A new reader poll predicts how high the S&P 500 will go in 2025 with Trump set to retake office on Jan. 20.

What Happened: Investors are bracing for a volatile 2025 with a new White House administration taking the helm, but optimism remains high that the stock market could see similar gains as compared to 2017.

In 2017, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust SPY, which tracks the S&P 500 Index, was up 21.7%.

This was the first year with Trump in office and many sectors saw gains during the year.

Benzinga recently asked if history will repeat itself.

“What do you think the return will be in 2025, his first year back,” Benzinga asked.

The results were:

• 16%+: 26%
• 11% to 15%: 22%
• Will Decline: 22%
• 6% to 10%: 19%
• 0% to 5%: 12%

The poll found the largest percentage believe the S&P 500 Index will post gains of at least 16% in 2025. The 11% to 15% range came in second place at 22%.

It’s also worth pointing out that the S&P 500 decline in 2025 was actually tied for second in the poll at 22%, which could mean 2025 is a make-or-break year.

Did You Know?

Why It’s Important: Stocks posted gains after Trump’s win and many well-known and retail investor favorite stocks like Tesla hit all-time highs. Many of the most valuable companies have hit all-time highs since the election.

While there is optimism for strong market returns in 2025, there are also concerns that promises to place tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico could send costs higher on items for consumers. This could trigger higher prices and lower profits for companies in several industries.

Time will tell how the stock market performs under Trump’s second time in the White House. This poll shows that many Benzinga readers are bullish on the potential for at least Trump’s first year in office this time around.

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The study was conducted by Benzinga from Jan. 14, 2025 through Jan. 15, 2025. It included the responses of a diverse population of adults 18 or older. Opting into the survey was completely voluntary, with no incentives offered to potential respondents. The study reflects results from 128 adults.

Photo: Shutterstock