Strong Performance Across Major Indices in 2024; Key YTD Insights from SIA’s Market Sector Report & Country Heatmap

2024 has been a strong year for equity markets, with major indices like the S&P 500 and NASDAQ showing significant gains, while smaller cap stocks have caught up later in the year. Sector performance has been equally notable, with areas such as telecommunications and financial services delivering impressive returns, especially in the final quarter. Globally, South American markets have stood out, while China, supported by fiscal and monetary interventions, made a strong comeback in the latter part of the year, though India’s performance remained relatively subdued compared to other regions.

LEIDOS HOLDINGS INC. (LDOS)

The SIA Aerospace and Defence sector showed strong performance in 2024, driven by geopolitical tensions, but signs of slowing momentum are now emerging, with key stocks like Leidos Holdings (LDOS) facing resistance and negative quarterly performance. While speculation around factors like potential geopolitical de-escalation may exist, at SIA, the focus remains on rules-based analysis, and the relative performance of the sector is raising red flags. Leidos, in particular, is showing signs of weakness, with its recent pullback from resistance and a shift to the ‘Unfavored’ zone in SIA reports.

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