It’s that time of year when big banks roll out shiny S&P 500 targets for 2026. Most of them cluster around the same idea:
Stocks probably go up… but don’t expect a straight line.
Why they’re bullish
• Earnings expected +14%
• Profit margins still expanding (AI + leaner costs)
• Fed cutting + fiscal support = earnings tailwind
What can go wrong
• Valuations already high
• 2026 = US midterm year → volatility is normal
• Market rarely delivers “average” returns (±20% swings happen)
Net result? Targets are interesting, but they’re not a strategy. One-year targets are a compass, not a GPS. Position for earnings, manage risk, stay patient.
Bottom line: Keep investing regularly, don't try to time the market.
$SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF)$VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF)$QQQ (Invesco QQQ)$SPX500
graph by Financial times... Show More
I expect the S&P 500 to correct at least 20-30% between January and March, but that is just my personal feeling. ... Show More
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Fri Mar 13 2026 05:47:41 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
