The analyst noted that despite persistent inflation, rising Treasury yields, and a 90% probability of a Federal Reserve rate hike this week, corporate earnings have shown significant resilience and are expected to maintain healthy growth through the end of 2027. Barclays has therefore raised its S&P 500 earnings per share (EPS) forecast for 2026 from $337 to $365, and for 2027 from $389 to $414, while increasing its year-end 2026 target price to 7,950 points. Furthermore, the development of artificial intelligence (AI) has also driven earnings growth in small-cap stocks, and VTI has sufficient exposure to this sector to enhance growth potential.