2026: A year for optimism – not complacency

Last year, despite great turbulence and uncertainty, the global economy remained resilient, with growth persisting and markets climbing. There is optimism that easing inflation, expected rate cuts, and AI developments will continue to support market growth in 2026 – but geopolitical worries remain. US corporate earnings are expected to continue driving equity performance, with companies able to navigate tariffs and protect their profitability. However, tariffs still play a major role in shaping inflation, continuing to impact supply chains and push costs higher. A renewed rise in inflation could...