History Suggests an Impending Nasdaq Surge in 2024

Intro: The Nasdaq is on the Rise

Following the Nasdaq Composite’s tumultuous performance in 2022, which led to its worst showing since 2008, the index experienced a remarkable revival, surging by 43% in 2023. As we stand on the threshold of 2024, historical data suggests the Nasdaq may soar even higher, in accordance with a noticeable pattern seen in previous years. Despite the potential threat of economic pitfalls on the horizon, the trends point to a promising year for investors.

Artificial Intelligence: A Catalyst for Growth

The recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) served as a significant driving force behind the market’s upturn in 2023 and are poised to continue propelling growth in 2024. Projections indicate that generative AI, in particular, is anticipated to contribute between $2.6 trillion and $4.4 trillion to the global economy annually in the coming years, presenting an immense opportunity for companies within this sector. This sets the stage for a potential windfall for a number of industry players.

A robotic hand interacting with a visual AI touchscreen display.

Image source: Getty Images.

Nvidia: Leading the Charge in AI Innovation

Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) stands as the face of AI innovation, with its graphics processing units (GPUs) serving as the industry standard chips for an expanding array of AI applications, such as data centers, cloud computing, and machine learning. The company, known for its adaptability, has swiftly adjusted its processors to meet the demands of generative AI. While facing a prolonged AI chip shortage, Nvidia continues to remain ahead of the pack through substantial investments in research and development, despite looming competition. With triple-digit year-over-year growth predicted to extend into 2024, Nvidia retains an appealing valuation, boasting a price/earnings-to-growth ratio of less than 1—a hallmark of an undervalued stock.

Microsoft: Pioneering AI-Driven Growth

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) played a pivotal role in igniting the AI boom when it injected $13 billion into OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, thus shedding light on the potential of generative AI. This strategic move spurred a surge in AI initiatives among its tech counterparts. Leveraging OpenAI’s technology, Microsoft integrated it into various offerings, including Bing search and their suite of cloud-based services. In addition, Microsoft’s productivity-enhancing AI assistant, Copilot, is poised to generate substantial incremental revenue, with estimates reaching up to $100 billion by 2027. Boasting a forward earnings ratio slightly above the S&P 500, Microsoft’s compelling growth prospects position the stock as an attractive opportunity.

Alphabet: Harnessing AI for Expansion

Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL) (NASDAQ: GOOG) has long employed AI to enhance its search results and digital advertising relevance. Quick to recognize the potential of generative AI, the company has infused a multitude of Google and Android products with heightened functionality. Furthermore, as the world’s third-largest cloud infrastructure provider, Google Cloud is well-positioned to offer AI systems to its clientele. Notably, Alphabet’s collaboration with its AI research lab, DeepMind, gave rise to Gemini, touted as its “largest and most capable AI model.” With the ongoing resurgence in its digital advertising business, Alphabet’s valuation at 27 times earnings presents an alluring prospect.

Amazon: Expanding AI Innovations

Dispelling the popular notion of tardiness in recognizing AI opportunities, Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) continues to deploy AI across various fronts—from surfacing relevant products to predicting inventory levels and even piloting an AI tool designed to field customer inquiries. Amazon Web Services (AWS) has also made significant strides in AI, offering popular generative AI models on Bedrock AI for its cloud customers and rolling out purpose-built AI chips to accelerate AI on its infrastructure. With inflation receding, a surge in consumer and business patronage further augurs well for the company’s AI-driven expansion endeavors.

The intertwining of AI with market dynamics forms a compelling narrative for investors, signifying a period of alluring opportunities across numerous sectors.

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JJ Bounty


Meta Platforms: A History of AI Utilization

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) has a noteworthy legacy of employing AI to its advantage. From facial recognition in photos to curating relevant content on its social media channels, Meta has consistently capitalized on AI systems. Unlike its industry competitors, Meta lacks a cloud infrastructure service but has ingeniously circumvented this obstacle with the open-source Llama AI model, offering it across major cloud services for a fee. Additionally, it provides a suite of complimentary AI-powered tools to aid advertisers, anticipating an upsurge in its digital advertising business in line with improving economic conditions. Furthermore, trading at a mere 22 times forward earnings, Meta presents an attractive investment opportunity.

Palantir Technologies: Embracing AI with Aplomb

Palantir Technologies (NYSE: PLTR) boasts a successful two-decade track record in developing AI-driven data analytics. Reacting swiftly to the mainstreaming of AI, the company expeditiously integrated generative AI models into its suite of data analytics tools and introduced the Palantir Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP), igniting considerable enthusiasm in the market. Observing a rebound in demand for data analytics and AI services, particularly in generative AI, Palantir’s PEG ratio of less than 1 underscores its stock’s extraordinary value.

Tesla: AI as the Key to Future Prosperity

Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) has achieved eminence by popularizing electric vehicles (EVs). While the company’s recent hit, the Model Y, has become the best-selling car globally, the magnitude of its future success is inextricably linked to AI. The realization of its “full self-drive” system’s potential would significantly benefit shareholders. As per Ark Investment Management’s Big Ideas 2023 report, the advent of robotaxis could amass $4 trillion in revenue by 2027. With an estimated 2.7 million vehicles gathering data, Tesla stands to gain an unparalleled technological advantage, should it crack the code on autonomous driving. Furthermore, Tesla’s valuation at 6 times forward sales presents a favorable proposition for an industry leader abundant in data.

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Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Danny Vena has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, Palantir Technologies, and Tesla. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, Palantir Technologies, and Tesla. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.