2:32 pm - May 7, 2026
The S&P 500 has completed three consecutive years of double-digit gains, prompting Wall Street analysts to assess whether 2026 will extend this remarkable bull market run. Following a stellar performance in 2025, strategists are projecting continued S&P 500 gains for the year ahead, though forecasts vary considerably across major financial institutions. The benchmark index closed 2025 at 6,845.5 points after gaining more than 16 percent and notching 39 new record highs.
Analysts surveyed by CNN show a broad range of S&P 500 targets for year-end 2026. Bank of America expects the index to reach 7,100 points, suggesting a modest gain of approximately 3.72 percent, according to the report. Meanwhile, Deutsche Bank projects a more bullish target of 8,000 points, implying a gain of 16.87 percent from current levels.
Historical Performance After Strong S&P 500 Gains
Historical data provides some context for expectations in 2026. According to Adam Turnquist, chief technical strategist at LPL Financial, when the S&P 500 has gained at least 15 percent in a given year, the following year’s returns have averaged approximately 8 percent. However, those periods often included significant volatility along the way.
Additionally, Turnquist noted that the S&P 500 in those years experienced an average decline of roughly 14 percent at some point before rebounding and climbing higher. This pattern serves as a reminder that stock market gains rarely follow a straight line upward, even in strong bull market environments.
Factors Supporting the 2026 Outlook
Multiple factors are driving optimism about continued S&P 500 gains in the coming year. Enthusiasm surrounding artificial intelligence and technology continues to fuel investor confidence, with many analysts viewing AI as unlocking a new era of growth for American companies. Expectations for additional Federal Reserve rate cuts and resilient corporate earnings also support a positive outlook for equities.
“This year’s gains have shown that the bull market is all gas, no brakes,” said Hardika Singh, economic strategist at Fundstrat. “And there are few solid reasons to believe this run can’t extend into the next year.”
Furthermore, analysts at JPMorgan Chase highlighted that the United States is positioned to remain the world’s growth engine. They pointed to a resilient economy and an AI-driven supercycle fueling record capital expenditures and rapid earnings expansion as key drivers for stock performance.
AI Technology as a Growth Driver
The artificial intelligence revolution remains central to bullish forecasts for 2026. Dan Ives, global head of technology research at Wedbush Securities, named Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, Tesla and Palantir as his top five stock picks for the year ahead. These technology giants are expected to benefit substantially from ongoing AI investments.
In contrast to concerns about valuations, some strategists believe stocks still have significant room to run when compared to the 1990s rally. Terry Sandven, chief equity strategist at US Bank Asset Management, emphasized favorable conditions: “Inflation is benign, interest rates are trending lower and earnings are trending higher, and that’s goldilocks for stocks.”
Risks and Challenges for S&P 500 Performance
Despite widespread optimism, Wall Street analysts acknowledge numerous headwinds that could limit gains or create volatility in 2026. Uncertainty surrounding President Donald Trump’s potential pick for Federal Reserve Chair, persistent geopolitical tensions and ongoing tariff concerns could create challenges for stocks after three years of strong performance.
Meanwhile, stock valuations have become increasingly elevated, with many analysts noting that US equities are becoming expensive relative to corporate earnings. While high valuations alone do not trigger market corrections, they can correspond with more modest future returns unless earnings growth continues exceeding expectations.
“We remain constructive on equities for 2026 as earnings continue to grow, but forecast lower index returns than in 2025, amid a broadening bull market,” Peter Oppenheimer, chief global equity strategist at Goldman Sachs, said in a note.
Consumer Spending and Economic Resilience
The health of consumer spending will be critical for maintaining corporate profit growth in 2026. Data indicates that spending is largely driven by wealthy households whose investment portfolios have appreciated during recent market gains. However, households relying primarily on paychecks face different economic conditions, creating what economists call a K-shaped economy.
Corporate earnings continue impressing Wall Street, with wealthier consumers supporting profits through sustained spending. “Yes, stocks are expensive and AI bubble allegations are natural, but it’s not concerning to me because companies’ earnings keep growing,” Singh at Fundstrat said. She added that worrying seems premature until signs of slowdown emerge among top-income consumers.
Additionally, the labor market’s trajectory will be essential for gauging consumer spending health and its potential impact on corporate earnings. Whether employment conditions continue their current trend will significantly influence the economic backdrop for stocks.
Additional Market Concerns
Several other factors present potential obstacles for stock market performance in 2026. Geopolitical concerns remain prominent, with gold posting its best year since 1979 as investors sought safe-haven assets. This flight to safety reflects underlying nervousness about potential economic or market disruptions.
Christopher Harvey, chief equity strategist at CIBC Capital Markets, expects the S&P 500 to rise roughly 8.8 percent in 2026. However, Harvey identified several risks including concerns about credit markets, questions about returns on AI spending, potential turmoil with the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement expiring this year and doubts about Federal Reserve credibility.
If inflation remains stubborn into 2026, it could complicate the Federal Reserve’s rate-cutting plans and create headwinds for equities that have rallied partly on expectations of easier monetary policy. Persistently large government deficits and rising long-term borrowing costs also remain unresolved concerns from 2025.
The performance of stocks in 2026 will likely depend on how these competing forces—positive earnings trends and AI enthusiasm versus valuation concerns and geopolitical risks—ultimately balance out. Ed Yardeni, president of Yardeni Research, expects the S&P 500 to reach 7,700 by year-end 2026, placing 20 percent odds on a severe correction or bear market triggered by recession fears or an actual economic downturn.
