According to TipRanks, here are the top 10 U.S. stock analysts.

The S&P 500 Index experienced a 20% increase in value for the second year in a row in the U.S. stock market in 2024.

Numerous elements, including high inflation and interest rates, international conflicts, the upcoming U.S. presidential elections, and the rapid growth of AI technology, impacted investor attitudes.

Using TipRanks' Experts Center Tool, we identified the top 10 U.S. analysts with a high success rate, despite the challenging market conditions.

TipRanks evaluates analysts' performance by ranking them based on their success rate, average return, and number of recommendations, showcasing their expertise and stock selection skills.

The top 10 U.S. analysts with the most successful ratings over a one-year period from October 2023 to September 2024 will be examined.

#1. Gerard Cassidy – RBC Capital

RBC Capital analyst Gerard Cassidy has an impressive success rate of 88% and an average return of 11.5%. His most profitable rating was on FITB, a financial services company that offers banking, insurance, and wealth management solutions. During Oct. 19, 2023 to Jan. 19, 2024, his buy recommendation on FITB stock generated a return of 38.6%.

#2. Chris Kotowski – Oppenheimer

Chris Kotowski, an analyst, earned the second position with an average return of 14% and a success rate of 88% based on 84 good ratings out of 95 recommendations. His most notable rating during the assessment period was on CG, an investment firm that operates through private equity, credit, and investment solutions segments. Kotowski's buy recommendation on CG stock during the period spanning Aug. 6, 2024 to Nov. 6, 2024, generated a return of 38.8%.

#3. Ebrahim Poonawala – Bank of America Securities

Ebrahim Poonawala from Bank of America ranks third with an overall success rate of 82% and an average return of 10.2%. His top recommendation is Western Alliance Bank (WAL), a bank holding company that provides banking solutions through its primary subsidiary. During Oct. 20, 2023 to Jan. 20, 2024, the analyst's buy rating on WAL stock generated a return of 55.1%.

#4. Mark Palmer – Benchmark Co.

Mark Palmer, a benchmark analyst, ranks fourth on the list with a success rate of 75% and an average return of 23.3%. Palmer's top recommendation is BTDR, a technology company that specializes in blockchain and high-performance computing. The analyst made an impressive profit of 212.4% through his Buy rating on BTDR stock from Sept. 25, 2024 to Dec. 25, 2024.

#5. Mark Mahaney – Evercore ISI

Mark Mahaney, Evercore's analyst, ranks fifth on the list. He has an 80% overall success rate and a 14% average return per rating. Mahaney's best recommendation during the assessment period was on social media platform (META). His buy recommendation on META stock delivered a 27.5% return between July 29, 2024 and Oct. 29, 2024.

#6. Brent Thielman – D.A.Davidson

Brent Thielman from D.A. Davidson ranks sixth on the list with a success rate of 79% and an average return of 13.3%. Notably, Thielman's most profitable rating during the observed one-year period was a buy on (BWMN), a consulting company that offers a range of real estate, energy, infrastructure, and environmental management solutions. His bullish rating on BWMN stock yielded a return of 24.4% from Nov. 8, 2023 to Feb. 8, 2024.

#7. Christopher Allen – Citi

Christopher Allen, a Citi analyst, holds the seventh position and generated an average return of 13.8% with an 85% success rate in the one-year period through September 2024. His best recommendation was on Apollo Global Management (APO), an investment management company focused on alternative investments. Allen generated an impressive return of 64.8% from the buy rating on APO stock from Sept. 11, 2024 to Dec. 11, 2024.

#8. Daniel Fannon – Jefferies

Daniel Fannon, an analyst at Jefferies, is ranked eighth on the list. Fannon's success rate was 85%, and his average return was 11.1%. His best rating was on Blackstone Group (BX), where his buy rating on the stock between Aug. 13, 2024 and Nov. 13, 2024, generated a 36.8% return.

#9. Mike Mayo – Wells Fargo

Mike Mayo from Wells Fargo ranks ninth on the list with an 80% success rate and an average return of 8.2%. Mayo's most profitable recommendation was on FITB stock, which generated a return of 38.6% from Oct. 19, 2023 to Jan. 19, 2024.

#10. Michael Grondahl – Northland Securities

Northland Securities analyst Michael Grondahl ranks tenth with a 70% overall success rate and an average return of 23.4%. His most profitable rating was a buy on (SNAX), an air-dried meat snack company, where he generated a massive return of 305.10% on his buy rating on SNAX stock during May 15, 2024 to Aug. 15, 2024.

Ending thoughts

Top analysts' stock picks can potentially enhance portfolio returns and gain from the expertise of Wall Street pros, even amid macro challenges and geopolitical tensions.