US equity markets will generate significant returns

According to the report of vice chairman and chief investment officer of New York-based BlackRock Inc. Robert Doll released on Thursday, US equity markets are to wind up posting double-digit percentage gains this year. He said that the worst of the recession is now "in the rearview mirror,” so he considers US markets to present better than European markets results, however emerging markets will likely outperform all developed markets for 2009. 

In his midyear outlook report Robert Doll projected that the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index is to hit 1,000 by the end of the year, which would be a 10% increase from its closing level of 901 yesterday. Nevertheless he states that the markets stay volatile and that the S&P could suffer some near-term declines that could take the index to 800-850 before it crosses the 1,000 mark. 

Mr. Doll also reported that the energy, health care and technology sectors supposed to present some of the best opportunities over the second half of 2009 and will outperform utilities, materials and financial stocks.