eToro is running a tiered stock reward promotion through January 31, 2026, offering new users up to $500 in free stock based on their initial deposit. The timing aligns with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average both setting fresh record highs in the first trading week of the year, with Wall Street analysts forecasting a fourth consecutive year of gains for U.S. equities.

The promotion structure scales with deposit size. A $200 to $499 deposit earns $10 in stock. Deposits between $500 and $2,499 return $30. The $2,500 to $4,999 tier generates $200 in stock rewards, while deposits of $5,000 or more unlock the maximum $500 bonus. Users must open their first position by the January 31 deadline to qualify, with rewards credited within seven business days of completing the deposit.

Wall Street Opens 2026 at All-Time Highs

The S&P 500 closed at 6,966.28 on January 9, a fresh record high according to CNBC market data.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average crossed 49,000 for the first time on January 6, finishing that session at 49,462.08 according to The Motley Fool. The Nasdaq Composite gained 1.9% in the first full trading week of the year.

Goldman Sachs projects the S&P 500 will deliver a 12% total return in 2026, reaching 7,600 by year end. The firm cites healthy economic and revenue growth, continued profit strength among the largest U.S. stocks, and an emerging productivity boost from artificial intelligence adoption as the primary drivers. Oppenheimer's analysts are more bullish, targeting 8,100 on the S&P 500, which would represent a 17.76% annual gain according to 24/7 Wall Street.

The rally is broadening beyond mega-cap technology names. Small-cap stocks outperformed large caps in early January, with the Russell 2000 gaining 6.6% over three months compared to the S&P 500's 3.7% according to Seeking Alpha analysis.

Financial stocks like Goldman Sachs and U.S. Bancorp jumped 3.7% and 2.9% respectively on January 5 as traders bet on a strong U.S. economy according to CNBC.

AI Stocks Continue Driving Gains

Nvidia's CES 2026 presentation on January 6 sparked a semiconductor rally after CEO Jensen Huang announced the Vera Rubin superchip and highlighted underserved demand in the data storage market according to Bloomberg. Memory and storage stocks Sandisk, Western Digital, Micron, and Seagate Technology all surged on the news.

Palantir Technologies jumped on analyst upgrades and enthusiasm for agentic AI, with Truist assigning a $223 price target according to 24/7 Wall Street.

Dan Ives, global head of technology research at Wedbush Securities, called CES 2026 "the most important CES in decades" and named Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, Tesla, and Palantir as his top five stock picks for the year according to CNN Business. JPMorgan strategist Mislav Matejka cited lower interest rates, cooling inflation, solid corporate earnings, and artificial intelligence as bullish catalysts, assigning a 7,500 S&P 500 price target for 2026 according to the same report.

Why EU Traders Should Consider eToro

eToro (Europe) Ltd holds a Markets in Crypto-Assets permit from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, received in February 2025. CySEC regulation requires eToro to maintain segregated client funds at partner banks within the EEA, where deposits may qualify for local deposit protection schemes covering up to €100,000 per eligible client according to eToro's regulatory documentation.

The platform completed its Nasdaq IPO in May 2025 under ticker ETOR at a $5.4 billion valuation, adding SEC disclosure requirements and quarterly earnings transparency. The company reported $931 million in 2024 revenue and $192 million net profit, demonstrating financial stability that privately held brokers cannot match.

eToro offers commission-free stock trading on non-CFD positions, access to U.S., European, and Asian equity markets, and fractional shares that allow investors to own portions of high-priced stocks like Nvidia or Amazon with smaller capital outlays. The platform's CopyTrader feature allows users to automatically replicate the portfolios of verified investors with no management fees. Over 4,000 investors from 70 countries are eligible for copying on the platform.

Taking Advantage of the January Promotion

EU traders interested in the stock reward offer can sign up through eToro, complete identity verification, and make a qualifying deposit by January 31, 2026. The bonus stock is credited within seven business days of opening a first position. Whether the market continues setting records or pulls back to test support, the promotion offers a tangible incentive to begin building a portfolio during what Wall Street expects to be another strong year for equities.

Disclaimer: eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.