The brokerage expects the U.S. stocks benchmark to drop to mid-5,000s late next year, a bearish view on the market when compared to Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, which see the index end 2025 at 6,500. A correction in stocks could be triggered by the U.S. real gross domestic product slowing to 1.5% in the second half of 2025 and core personal consumption expenditure inflation staying above the Federal Reserve's target, Stifel strategists noted. The S&P 500 has had a strong run this year, rising about 27% so far, boosted by the so-called 'Magnificent 7' stocks rising on the artificial intelligence boom and anticipation of lower interest rates.