Wall Street Targets S&P 500 at 7,650 by 2026 End, Beating 30-Year Average

Wall Street's median forecast from 21 analysts projects the S&P 500 reaching 7,650 by end-2026, implying an 11.8% gain from its year-start level of 6,845—surpassing the 30-year average of 8.3% excluding dividends (10.3% including). Multiple articles on April 25 cite 19.7% earnings growth and AI investments as drivers, with the index at 7,108 currently offering ~8% upside. Geopolitical risks like the Iran conflict and elevated oil prices temper the bullish outlook, but consensus remains optimistic for outperformance.