On May 13, Morgan Stanley became more optimistic about the U.S. stock market, betting that strong earnings growth and economic conditions will continue to propel the bull market. The bank predicts that the S&P 500 index will reach 8,300 points within the next 12 months, representing a 12% increase from current levels. The team led by Mike Wilson also raised its year-end forecast for the S&P 500 from 7,800 to 8,000 points. A strong earnings season has surprised many market forecasters, prompting them to raise their expectations for the stock market. Earnings for S&P 500 constituent companies in the first quarter have surged 27% so far, more than double the approximately 12% increase that analysts had previously predicted.