JPMorgan Sees S&P 500 Reaching 8,000 by Year-End as Bears Become Extinct Species

JPMorgan Chase & Co.'s equity strategists are optimistic about the S&P 500's performance, predicting it will reach 8,000 by year-end. This would represent a gain of nearly 6% from current levels.

The firm's analysts described bears as an 'extinct species' in this cycle, suggesting that investors prefer to buy dips rather than chase the index at current levels. According to JPMorgan's investor survey, 43% of respondents expect the S&P 500 to be the 'consensus return leader' through year-end.

On Polymarket, a contract asking what the S&P 500 will close at end of 2026 shows the '$>8,000' bracket leading with a 35% probability. The strategists also highlighted a structural shift where corporate earnings are less rate-sensitive than in past cycles due to AI-led capital expenditure and resilient earnings.