The S&P 500 Has Only Grown Earnings This Fast Twice Before. History Says This Is What Happens Next

Key Points The S&P 500 is expected to see EPS growth of 24%-32% this year. The other two times earnings grew that fast were in 1994 and 1999. There's enough evidence that the current bull market still has legs. 10 stocks we like better than S&P 500 Index › 2026 is emerging as a banner year for the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX:^GSPC) . Not necessarily for the index's price growth, which is up 12.6% year-to-date, but because of its earnings growth. Analysts now expect S&P 500 earnings per share to grow 24%-32% this year, paced by blockbuster growth from AI stocks and the Magnificent Seven , as the Magnificent Seven now makes up about a third of the index, and it doesn't include breakout stocks like Micron , which are posting EPS growth rates above 1,000%.