2018 has been quite the volatile year for the stock market, and while predictions are not guaranteed to materialize, there could be some things that investors have to look forward to in 2019. This list will talk about some of the predictions that analysts have for the 2019 market season.
Amazon
Amazon could be on its way to surpass Microsoft and Apple as the most valuable public company, and 2019 may show us just that. According to Scott Galloway, there have been conversations about Amazon breaking into the healthcare industry. This area could prove to be quite profitable for Amazon in the coming years. It would be able to handle the capital investments and short-term losses that would need to be navigated when entering the healthcare or insurance field. Amazon Web Services (AWS) has evolved to be one of the largest software providers in the world and could help propel Amazon to the top spot. There have also been rumors that Amazon could buy Target. Target not only appeals directly to the customer base that Amazon obtained with its acquisition of WholeFoods, but it could help Amazon to continue to increase its e-commerce footprint and reduce competition.
Disney
The Walt Disney Corporation may have experienced consistent underperformance in the past years, but there could be a significant upturn in 2019, and it looks like Disney is poised to have a great year. Disney is on course to release some significant cinematic hits in 2019, including The Lion King, Star Wars and Frozen 2. These films, among others (including more Marvel blockbusters), could give Disney a fantastic year in the box office. Disney is also planning on releasing a much-anticipated streaming service near the end of 2019. This should help its standing and could fuel the attention of investors early in the year.
Facebook
There was a Facebook crisis in 2018, which might make it an intriguing time to consider an investment in Facebook.. The company has historically been able to hold onto its uniqueness because no one can completely replicate its service. In 2019, Facebook will be looking to enter the dating scene and also to possibly make changes and trigger growth in its Facebook Marketplace. In addition to those growth opportunities, Instagram (acquired by Facebook six years ago) is continually growing in popularity.
StitchFix
A lesser know business, StitchFix has a wonderful appeal to consumers who enjoy subscription experiences and the ease of purchasing clothes that the company supplies. Looking into 2019, they could see substantial growth if they decide to start their own line of clothing. Some have characterized StitchFix as the Netflix of the fashion world.
Gold
Gold experienced a small devaluation this year but according to JPMorgan, it could see as high as a 15 cent return in 2019. We probably won’t see the price for a troy ounce of gold drop below $1,200, but we could see it grow upwards of $1,300. Investing Haven predicts this based on inflation factors, the pace of the Euro and the commitment of traders.