The most optimistic U.S. stock market forecasters expect the S&P 500 to rise by 18% next year

According to Jin10, Oppenheimer's strategist John Stoltzfus expects the S&P 500 index to rise by 18% next year, making him the most optimistic forecaster for the third consecutive year. He anticipates that, driven by strong economic growth and loose monetary policy, the S&P 500 index will reach approximately 8,100 points by the end of 2026. Stoltzfus stated that loose monetary and fiscal policies, along with strong corporate earnings, are the core supporting factors for his 2026 target price.