S&P 500 Forecast to Reach 7620 by Year End
A Reuters poll of 47 market strategists indicates the S&P 500 will end 2026 at 7,620 as strong AI earnings offset concerns over rising energy prices and inflation. While geopolitical tensions persist, most analysts believe a market correction is unlikely in the next three months.
The UBS ETF S&P 500 INDEX will end 2026 at 7,620, marking a 1.3% rise from its record close of 7,519.12. This median estimate from 47 strategists polled by Reuters between May 15 and May 26 suggests a cooling pace after recent highs. Investors face a landscape where strong corporate earnings must contend with persistent inflation and geopolitical instability.
### AI Tailwinds Counter Geopolitical Friction Secular growth in artificial intelligence remains the primary driver for equity markets. Anthony Saglimbene, chief market strategist at Ameriprise, noted that strong AI tailwinds were confirmed during the first-quarter earnings season, helping stocks recover from March lows. However, higher energy prices and entrenched inflation now present new hurdles for the benchmark index.
