According to the latest forecast by some analysts, the average target for the S&P 500 index by the end of 2026 is 7,555 points. The index price will range between 7,000 and 8,100 points, which indicates a potential growth of about 9% from current levels.
According to some forecasts, the index will reach closer to 7,700 points, which is also expected to show a growth of about 11%. At the same time, analysts have warned that the stock market may see a correction in the first half of 2026, especially if bond yields or dividends increase sharply amid concerns about overly accommodative monetary and fiscal policies.
Expectations of increased corporate earnings are considered the main source of optimism in the stock market. Wall Street analysts are suggesting that earnings per share for the S&P 500 index will reach $306 in 2026, up 12.5% from the current consensus forecast of $272.
The stock's valuation dynamics are likely to remain relatively stable. The forward P/E ratio is expected to remain close to its current level of around 22 by the end of 2026.
Goldman Sachs analysts specified several key reasons for potential upward trend in US stock market, such as corporate earnings growth, including the steady expansion of the US economy, the weakness of the dollar, and increased productivity due to the application of artificial intelligence.
Beyond macroeconomic factors, the profitability of the largest companies included in the index will play a decisive role. The seven largest companies—Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Broadcom, and Meta—account for about 25% of the total growth in the S&P 500 index.
Goldman Sachs forecasts earnings per share of about $305, revenue growth of 7%, and moderate margin expansion in 2026. Much of this growth is expected to come from the largest high-tech companies, which already account for about a quarter of the index’s total growth, and are expected to grow even more as companies invest more in artificial intelligence.
Taken together, these forecasts suggest a consensus view that the stock market’s upward trend will continue through 2026, although there is also the potential for volatility.
Strategists also noted that a strong increase in investment in the artificial intelligence sector, combined with stable performance in other sectors, could trigger a sell-off of about 20% of the index's largest stocks in 2026.
The S&P 500 ended the week at 6,929.94 after closing at 1,000.94 points during the Christmas holiday week.
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