Sept 16 (Reuters) - Global brokerages expect the benchmark S&P 500 index to extend its rally in 2026, betting on AI momentum and strong corporate earnings, while the war in Iran continues to weigh on investor sentiment.
Strategists expect AI-led earnings strength to offset the short-term economic impact from the conflict in the Middle East, even as concerns over higher inflation and disruption to global energy flows persist.
Major brokerages including Goldman Sachs and Citigroup expect the benchmark
index to reach 8,000 or higher by the year-end. In contrast, BofA Global Research and Wells Fargo remain more cautious, forecasting levels below the broader consensus.
The following are some of the forecasts on the performance of U.S. stocks this year:
Forecasts for stocks:
Brokerage 2026 S&P 500 index target
BofA Global Research 7,400
Jefferies 7,500
Canaccord Genuity 7,500
BNP Paribas 7,500
Wells Fargo 7,700
Evercore ISI 7,750
Seaport Research Partners 7,800
RBC Capital Markets 7,900
Barclays 7,950
J.P.Morgan 8,000
Deutsche Bank 8,000
Societe Generale 8,000
Goldman Sachs 8,000
Morgan Stanley 8,000
UBS Global Research 8,100
Oppenheimer Asset Management 8,100
Citigroup 8,100
UBS Global Wealth Management 8,100
HSBC 8,100
Wells Fargo Investment 7,800-8,000
Institute
* UBS Global Research and UBS Global Wealth Management are distinct, independent divisions in UBS Group
* Wells Fargo Investment Institute is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo Bank
(Compiled by the Broker Research team in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich and Sherry Jacob-Phillips)
