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Markets · Personal Finance

Goldman Sachs Raises S&P 500 Year-End Target to 6,200

S
Sarah Chen
Markets Correspondent
May 18, 2026 · 8 min read
Goldman Sachs Raises S&P 500 Year-End Target to 6,200
Wall Street's outlook on U.S. equities turns increasingly bullish. (Bloomberg)

Goldman Sachs raised its year-end S&P 500 price target to 6,200 from 5,800, representing approximately 6% upside from current levels. The upgrade, contained in a note to clients from the bank's equity strategy team, reflects a more optimistic view on corporate earnings growth and a higher probability assigned to a soft economic landing.

The bank now projects S&P 500 earnings per share of $268 for 2026, up from its previous estimate of $255, driven by better-than-expected profit margins and the positive impact of AI on corporate productivity. At the new target, the S&P 500 would trade at approximately 23x forward earnings — elevated by historical standards but justified by the current interest rate environment, according to the analysts.

Not Everyone Is Bullish

Not all Wall Street strategists share Goldman's optimism. Several major banks maintain more cautious targets in the 5,600-5,900 range, citing concerns about stretched valuations, geopolitical risks, and the potential for inflation to re-accelerate if energy prices rebound. The divergence in Wall Street views reflects genuine uncertainty about the economic outlook.

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