花旗：上调标普500指数年终目标至8100点，AI盈利增长为主驱动力

Odaily Planet Daily News Citigroup stated that the profit growth driven by AI construction is expected to push the S&P 500 Index above the 8,000-point mark in 2026. The bank has raised its year-end target for the S&P 500 Index this year to 8,100 points, representing an upside potential of over 9.5% from last Friday's closing price, compared to the previous target of 7,700 points.

Strategist Kroner predicts that S&P 500 earnings per share will reach $350 in 2026 and rise to $400 in 2027. Kroner said: "The AI tailwind is driving a surge in the fundamentals of related industries, and we are full of confidence in continued earnings exceeding expectations before the end of the year." He pointed out that positive earnings surprises in the first quarter were exceptionally widespread. Although it is difficult to sustain, the rate of positive surprises in the coming quarters will still be higher than normal.

Kroner believes that earnings will replace valuation expansion as the main driving factor for the index. He added that although uncertainties regarding the US-Iran war, inflation, and the interest rate path may cause volatility, AI spending remains the focus of investors. Regarding concerns about an AI bubble, Kroner believes that the market's pursuit of AI growth is far from over. "We are in the middle of the game. Future P/E ratios will tend to moderate, and earnings growth needs to bear more responsibility," he said. (Jinshi)