Market strategist Ed Yardeni raised his year-end 2026 target for the S&P 500 to 8,250 from 7,700 and projected the benchmark index could reach 10,000 by 2029. The revised outlook reflects continued optimism around artificial intelligence-driven productivity growth and resilient corporate earnings across the U.S. economy.
Yardeni said accelerating AI adoption remains the primary catalyst supporting higher equity valuations, particularly in large-cap technology and infrastructure-related sectors. Stronger productivity trends and expanding profit margins are also expected to offset concerns around elevated interest rates and slowing economic growth.
The bullish forecast comes as U.S. equities continue to trade near record highs, with investors increasing exposure to technology stocks tied to AI development, cloud computing, and semiconductor demand.
