Key facts
- Most brokerages forecast the S&P 500 index to reach 8,000 or higher by the end of 2026.
- UBS Global Research, UBS Global Wealth Management, and HSBC forecast the index to reach 8,100.
- BofA Global Research forecasts the index to reach 7,400.
- Wells Fargo Investment Institute forecasts a range of 7,800-8,000.
- AI momentum and strong corporate earnings are expected to drive the S&P 500's rally.
- Geopolitical concerns, particularly the war in Iran, continue to weigh on investor sentiment.
Global brokerages anticipate the S&P 500 index will continue its upward trend in 2026, driven by the momentum of artificial intelligence and robust corporate earnings. Despite ongoing concerns about inflation and potential disruptions to global energy supplies due to the conflict in the Middle East, strategists believe AI-driven earnings growth will counteract short-term economic impacts.
While many major firms like Goldman Sachs and Citigroup project the benchmark index to reach 8,000 or higher by the end of 2026, others, including BofA Global Research and Wells Fargo, are more conservative with their forecasts.
UBS Global Research and UBS Global Wealth Management are distinct divisions within UBS Group. Wells Fargo Investment Institute is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo Bank.