UBS Forecasts 17% Q1 S&P Profit Surge

UBS projects S&P 500 corporate earnings to rise ~17% in Q1, fastest growth since Q4 2021, driven by AI‑related semiconductor demand.
The S&P 500 closed at a record 7,022.95, while Brent crude fell to $96.35 amid easing US‑Iran tensions.
UBS maintains an Attractive rating on US equities, favoring Consumer Discretionary, Financials, Healthcare, Industrials and Utilities despite near‑term geopolitical uncertainty.
Macro data show milder March inflation, healthy consumer spending and manufacturing returning to expansion for the first time in three years.