Top analyst calls 'kick in the pants' for S&P 500

Group 1 - The S&P 500 index is currently near 6,792, showing a weekly increase and a three-month gain of 8%, indicating a strong market trend [1][2] - The September CPI report revealed a year-over-year inflation rate of 3%, slightly below expectations, providing a favorable environment for potential interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve [2][4] - Fundstrat's Tom Lee predicts a robust year-end rally for the S&P 500, suggesting it could surpass 7,000, driven by cooling inflation and anticipated Fed rate cuts [4][5] Group 2 - Lee believes the stock market could achieve gains exceeding 4%, potentially reaching 10% by year-end, due to the combination of new rate cuts and diminishing skepticism [5][6] - The current market conditions are reminiscent of previous "reset" years, such as 1998 and 2024, when the Fed cut rates late in the cycle, leading to strong market finishes [7] - There is a division among Wall Street analysts regarding the market's potential, with bullish sentiments rising but bearish perspectives still present [8]