## Investment Opportunities in the US Stock Market Today: Impressive Numbers You Can't Miss

The US stock market today is showing strong signs of recovery after experiencing a correction period from 2022-2023. Controlling 75% of the global market capitalization, the US exchange continues to be a focal point for investors worldwide.

### Growth Potential: The Numbers Say It All

Major indices have demonstrated remarkable performance over the past 5 years. **S&P 500** increased by 85.78%, while **Nasdaq 100** outperformed with 147.43%. Specifically, leading tech stocks such as Apple surged by 261.33%, Microsoft by 256.33%, and NVIDIA surprised with a rise of 1,908.58% — a figure that clearly shows the appeal of the tech industry.

The Dow Jones also recorded a 54.13% increase during the same period, reflecting the stability of large companies trusted by investors.

### The Four Titans of the US Stock Market

Out of more than 5,000 indices in the United States, four stand out as the most noteworthy:

**Dow Jones Index** – Represents leading companies with a market cap accounting for 25% of the market, established in 1896, and regarded as a trust indicator of the US economy. The current value as of (March 27, 2024) is 39,411.

**S&P 500** – Measures the performance of the 500 largest companies, controlling up to 70% of the US stock market value. With a market cap of $43.9 billion, it is considered the gold standard for evaluating large-cap stocks globally. Today's value: 5,220.

**Nasdaq Composite** – The third-largest exchange in the world, focusing on technology and startup companies. Market cap is $35.48 billion with a value of 18,210.

**Nasdaq 100** – A specialized index tracking the 100 largest companies on Nasdaq, capable of effectively assessing sectors like technology, telecommunications, biotech, and media. Value: 18,269.

### Promising Stocks in 2024

Besides well-known names like Apple, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, savvy investors should also pay attention to stocks with impressive growth rates:

- **SWAV** (Shockwave Medical): up 828.8% in 1 year
- **VKTX** (Viking Therapeutics): up 795.13%
- **LWAY** (Lifeway Foods): up 787%
- **PRAX** (Praxis Precision Medicines): up 394.39%
- **SMID** (Smith-Midland Corporation): up 491.89%

These figures indicate that investment opportunities in sectors such as healthcare technology, pharmaceuticals, and specialized industries remain very active.

### Trading Hours: Practical Guide

NYSE and NASDAQ operate from Monday to Friday with three trading sessions:
- **Pre-market trading**: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
- **Regular trading**: 8:30 PM – 2:00 AM
- **After-hours trading**: 3:00 AM – 5:30 AM

These times vary depending on summer or winter schedules.

### Recovery Trend: Optimistic Signals from the Fed

The Dow Jones has recovered 5.59% in the first three months of 2024, driven by expectations that the Fed will cut interest rates. According to Goldman Sachs forecasts, there will be three rate cuts in 2024, four in 2025, and one in 2026, helping long-term interest rates stabilize at 3.25-3.5%.

The S&P 500 has increased by nearly 10% in Q1, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 2.28%. Notably, the Nasdaq 100 surged by 24.17% over the past six months, indicating strong momentum from the tech sector.

### Risks to Consider

The Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts remain uncertain factors. If tensions in the Middle East escalate, investors may shift toward safe-haven assets like gold and Bitcoin, potentially slowing US stock growth. David Bahnsen from Bahnsen Group warns that the market could decline by 7-10% in such scenarios.

### Ways to Profit from the US Stock Market

For Vietnamese investors, since current laws do not permit direct ownership of US stocks, trading via margin CFD (Contract for Difference) is the most popular option. This method allows leveraging price fluctuations to profit from both upward and downward movements without owning the actual securities.

### Conclusion

The US stock market today offers exciting opportunities for investors seeking growth. Supported by anticipated monetary policies from the Fed and a strong economic foundation, stocks from major corporations to tech enterprises will continue to attract global capital in the near future.