The method: spotting analysts with a real edge

The goal, the backtest, and the formulas that work — with the numbers.
The JPI method in one sentence: we analyze the analysts (not the stocks) → we replay all their targets against real prices → we keep only those who beat their sector → we backtest it over 11 years → and we show you, stock by stock, who was actually right — and therefore who is credible for their next calls and estimates.
In short — Most analyst targets are wrong, and « the consensus » almost never beats the market. JPI Invest replays every analyst call against real prices, sector by sector, and keeps only the rare ones with a real edge. On a 2015-2025 backtest (point-in-time, NVDA included), following the JPI Method returned +26%/yr vs +12.6% for the S&P 500.
The result: a bullshit detector. Instead of following « the consensus » (which almost never beats the market), you see the rare analysts with a real edge, by sector, with backtested numbers.

The problem

Every day, dozens of banks publish price targets. Most are wrong, and following the average of opinions (« the consensus ») roughly tracks the index — while taking more risk for it. The real signal isn't « what do analysts say », it's « which ones were right, on what, and how much did it pay ».

How we measure

We pull every timestamped analyst target (source: Yahoo Finance) and replay them against real prices: for each call we measure what it would have returned (long on a buy, short on a sell), winners AND losers. It's point-in-time: at each date we only use information available that day (no retroactive cheating). We then rank each analyst by real reliability — not « do they ride the rally », but « do they beat their sector » (alpha).

The 3 formulas that work

All start from the same pool: analysts reliable on the stock's sector (≥55% hit rate, beating their sector). Among them:
  • 🟢 JPI Light — follow the single most reliable analyst who is bullish. Cautious, lowest volatility.
  • 🎯 JPI Method (recommended) — require ≥2 reliable analysts bullish and take the median of their targets. Balanced and robust.
  • JPI Risk + — among the reliable ones, follow the most optimistic. Aggressive, more volatile.
MethodReturn/yr$100,000 grew to (2015→2026)VolatilityRatio
🟢 JPI Light+21%604 725 $25%0,84
🎯 JPI Method+26%947 431 $29%0,91
⚡ JPI Risk ++30%1 349 803 $29%1,02
S&P 500+13%332 028 $15%0,86
11 years (2015-2025), point-in-time, NVDA included, before fees and taxes. $100,000 starting. Volatility and ratio (risk-adjusted return) show the JPI Method is the best tradeoff.

📊 Explore the detailed backtests (interactive — 12 start months, 3 universes, stock by stock) →

A telling example

The method leans toward beaten-down stocks (large gap to target). In the backtest, ~half the selected stocks had fallen over 12 months — and they rebounded +38%/yr on average the following year (vs +33% for those already rising). In other words: when a good analyst (reliable on the sector) is bullish on a stock everyone hates, that's often where the edge is.

Being honest

This is not a sure thing. It's a single 11-year period, returns are irregular (driven by 2019/2023/2024, −23% trough in 2022 and −9% in 2018), before fees/taxes, and the universe only contains companies still in the index (limited but real survivorship bias). The JPI Method is a quality signal, not a guarantee. For the core of your portfolio, an index ETF stays rational; these formulas are a clear-eyed satellite. This is not personalized advice.

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Frequently asked questions

Does analyst consensus beat the market?

Rarely. Following the average of opinions roughly tracks the index, with more risk. The edge comes from isolating the rare reliable analysts by sector — which JPI Invest does by backtesting every call against real prices.

What is the JPI Invest backtest?

We replay every timestamped analyst target (2015-2025, point-in-time) against real prices and measure real profit per call. The JPI Method (median of ≥2 sector-reliable analysts) returned +26%/yr vs +12.6% for the S&P 500 — but over a single period, before fees, with no guarantee.

Which formula is best?

The JPI Method (balanced) is the best risk/return tradeoff (ratio 0.91). JPI Light is more cautious (+21%/yr), JPI Risk + more aggressive and volatile (+30%/yr). The most reassuring signal: a stock present in all 3 lists at once.

What is JPI Invest?

JPI Invest aggregates analyst recommendations across the entire S&P 500 (plus the S&P MidCap 400), replays them against real prices and measures who predicts best — on results, not reputation. Instead of taking a price target at face value, you see each analyst's track record on each stock.

Explore JPI Invest for free →

JPI AI Analyst AI assistant · JPI Invest
Answers based on the tool’s data · not financial advice · full version (free)