Morgan Stanley Raises S&P 500 Targets to 8,000 Year-End, 8,300 Mid-2027 on Earnings

Morgan Stanley lifted its S&P 500 year-end target to 8,000 from 7,800 and mid-2027 view to 8,300, arguing resilient earnings can propel gains to records near 7,400.96 without Fed cuts, following Q1 profits of $681.3B (+28.6% YoY). Progression accelerated from May 5 valuation warnings, RBC's May 8 hike to 7,900 on AI 'two-speed economy', Franklin Templeton's May 9 7,000-7,400 amid 84% EPS beats, and May 11 surges by HSBC to 7,650 (EPS $325, +20%) and Yardeni to 8,250 (EPS $330/$375), boosting 2026 consensus EPS to $336.50 (+22%). Geopolitical and oil risks loom.