S&P 500 faces high dispersion, with quality stocks leading the charge: Goldman Sachs

The S&P 500 has gained 8% year-to-date, but significant disparities exist within the market, with the median stock 12% below its peak. Goldman Sachs reports high stock-level dispersion, particularly favoring quality stocks, which trade at a 57% premium over lower-quality ones. The report forecasts below-trend growth and above-target inflation, likely benefiting quality stocks. Investors are advised to consider 25 stocks driven by company-specific factors for protection amid uncertainty. The report highlights notable stocks with strong financial metrics, including NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Apple.