EVERCORE: U.S. BULL MARKET STILL STRONG, BUY STOCKS Evercore ISI advised buying U.S. stocks, saying the S&P 500 could hit 7,750 by end-2026 as key signs of a market top are missing. Analyst Julian Emanuel said gains are being led by AI-driven sectors like tech, communication services, and consumer discretionary. He warned of near-term volatility as optimism runs high, citing risks from Fed policy shifts, tariffs, and a rising VIX. Still, Evercore said conditions typical of a bull-market peak — such as a hawkish Fed or slowing AI spending — aren’t present. Emanuel recommended keeping hedges, noting that with the VIX near year-to-date lows, SPY strangles offer protection during short-term swings in an ongoing bull market.(*Walter Bloomberg)