Business professionals and Wichita State University Barton School of Business Students were invited to join the S&P 500 Stock Market Prediction Challenge. In this challenge predictions were made of what the closing value of the S&P 500 will be on Friday, August 30, 2024. Business Professional Responses were submitted by November 7, 2024. Student responses were submitted by April 12, 2024.
Click Here to Enter Prediction (Business Professionals)
Click Here To Enter Prediction (Students)
The most accurate prediction in each group will win:
- Complimentary ticket to the 45th Annual Kansas Economic Outlook Conference in October 2024.
- Recognition - Award presented on stage at the event and on the CEDBR website
- Major Networking Opportunity - As an attendee at the event, you will have access to hundreds of state and local business leaders
Thank you to our Stock Market Prediction Challenge Sponsor
2024 S&P 500 Predictions For the Center for Economic Development’s 2024 S&P 500 Prediction Challenge, Wichita State University students and Kansas business professionals provided their predictions for the value of the S&P 500 stock market index at close on Friday, August 30, 2024. WSU students had an average prediction of 5,341.41. Business professionals predicted a significantly lower average of 4,437.88. It is important to note that responses from the business survey were collected in November, which may cause differing sentiments among students, whose predictions were made in the Spring. The S&P 500 value at the time of closure for the business professionals was 4,378.38. Meanwhile, the value at the time of closure for the student competition was 5,123.41. Notably, students had a more optimistic view of the market than business professionals, as they predicted a higher average value than what was recorded on the day of the challenge close. The discrepancy between the predictions and the actual values suggests potential differences in perception and analytical methods between students and business professionals. Furthermore, the contrasting sentiments could reflect varying levels of experience, risk tolerance, and access to market information. Despite these differences, such challenges provide valuable insights into market sentiment and can aid in understanding the dynamics of investor behavior. S&P 500 2024 Predictions Students Professionals Respondent Total Minimum 5,111.11 3693.30 3693.30 Mean 5,341.41 4,437.88 4653.00 Median 5,230.82 4,519.50 4551.00 Maximum 5,700.00 5,102.00 5,700.00 2024 Predictions
Lower Quartile
5,258.33
4,045.48
4,194.98
Upper Quartile
5,552.78
4,749.83
5,198.33
2023 Winners
2023 Stock Market Prediction Winners
Student Winner
Business Winner
Joe Knorp,
Finance MBA StudentShawn Riley
President & CEO, Campus Credit Union