Key Takeaways
Recession Risk: The combination of weakening growth and persistent inflation increases the likelihood of further market turbulence, requiring investors to be cautious as they position portfolios in 2026.
AI Driving The Macro Outlook: The AI buildout has become the foundational pillar of US growth, driving capex investments, equity valuations and consumer wealth.
Divergence Between the US and Europe: The consensus expects US inflation to remain elevated because of ongoing tariffs. Europe faces none of these trade frictions and therefore will likely see inflation and interest rates fall in 2026. This divergence is unusual and increasingly relevant for global asset allocations.