S&P 500 to Hit At Least 7,500-Mark in 2026? ETFs in Focus

Market Forecasts - Wall Street forecasts for the S&P 500 indicate a potential rise to 8,000 by 2026, representing a 17% gain from the current level of 6,849.09 as of November 28, 2025 [1] - Deutsche Bank predicts "mid-teens returns" for the S&P 500 in 2026, supported by strong buybacks and earnings growth [2] - HSBC and JPMorgan both target a 7,500 level for the S&P 500 in 2026, with JPMorgan suggesting a possibility of reaching 8,000 if the Federal Reserve cuts rates more aggressively [4] Earnings Growth - S&P 500 companies reported a 13.4% earnings growth in Q3 2025, with expectations for continued elevated valuations through 2026 [3] - JPMorgan anticipates earnings growth of 13% to 15% over the next two years, driven by deregulation and AI productivity benefits [5] - Total earnings for the S&P 500 are projected to increase by 11% in 2025 and 11.8% in 2026, with revenue growth forecasts of 5.2% and 6.7% for the respective years [8] ETF Opportunities - Several S&P 500-based ETFs are highlighted as potential investment opportunities, including Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO), iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV), and SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) [9] Market Conditions - There is an 87.4% chance of a Federal Reserve rate cut at the December meeting, a significant increase from 63% a month prior [7] - Wells Fargo projects a year-end target of 7,800 for the S&P 500 in 2026, indicating a double-digit gain, while Morgan Stanley also expects the index to finish at 7,800, suggesting a new bull market [6]