Investment Outlook 2026

Investment Outlook 2026

Our Investment Outlook for 2026—Seeking Catalysts Amid Complexity—highlights potential drivers of returns across public and private markets. Explore our views on the investment backdrop, asset class opportunities, and portfolio construction themes.
Key Themes for 2026

We believe 2026 will require an active, disciplined investment approach. Our key themes pinpoint catalysts, identify public and private market opportunities, and ways to recalibrate portfolios to unlock returns amid evolving megatrends.

Staying Active Amid Complexity

Active, disciplined investing is key amid central bank shifts, new trade dynamics, and idiosyncratic credit events. We pinpoint easing cycles, AI, and dealmaking as catalysts, and remain focused on strategically positioning portfolios to seek returns.

Navigating the Nuances in Public Markets

We see potential for greater equity market dispersion and favor active global equity diversification and a blend of fundamental and quantitative strategies. In fixed income, we are focused on diversified duration, strategic curve positioning, and active security selection. We see income opportunities in securitized credit, high yield credit, and emerging market debt.

Exploring Alternative Dimensions in Private Markets

We pose key questions that may inform outcomes for existing portfolio assets and guide future capital deployment. We address private equity valuations and potential pressure points in private credit.  We discuss whether real estate is ready for a rebound, and where attractive opportunities are in infrastructure beyond AI.

Shifting Paradigms for Portfolio Construction

We see potential ways to recalibrate portfolios for 2026. We spotlight active ETFs, enhanced passive allocations, tail-risk hedging, and broadening access to alternatives.

Evolving Thematic Landscapes and Megatrends

New opportunities to deploy capital continue to emerge as nations prioritize energy independence, resource security and efficiency, needs that are amplified by AI. We see sustainable investing maturing with a greater focus on performance.

Central bank actions, a new trade order, fiscal risks, geopolitical shifts, and AI are creating a complex—yet dynamic—investment backdrop. This underscores the importance of robust and diversified portfolios to navigate volatility and generate alpha.
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Marc Nachmann
Global Head of Asset & Wealth Management
What catalysts are on the horizon for 2026?Alexandra Wilson-Elizondo, Global Co-Head and Co-CIO of Multi-Asset Solutions, and Stephanie Rader, Global Co-Head of Alternatives Capital Formation, summarize our investment views on the year ahead.
Investment Outlook 2026
How will catalysts, from central bank actions to AI, shape public and private markets and impact portfolios in 2026?
investment outlook 2026
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