Major financial firms Barclays and Stifel have boosted their S&P 500 year-end targets to 7,800, signaling strong confidence in corporate profits and the U.S. stock market's resilience. This optimism, fueled by AI advancements and improved investor sentiment, suggests further upside potential. While inflation and interest rate concerns linger, strategists see earnings growth and capital spending driving future gains, with a potential broadening of market leadership beyond tech giants.

Investment bank UBS estimates that $820 billion in artificial intelligence investments will expand the market rally and push the S&P 500 index to a new record.

Major financial firms Barclays and Stifel have boosted their S&P 500 year-end targets to 7,800, signaling strong confidence in corporate profits and the U.S. stock market's…