Home Insights Equities U.S. equities: A constructive setup for 2026
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After a powerful six-month rally, the S&P 500 has surged 35% from its Liberation Day low, and momentum is still building. While booming AI investment has fueled tech gains, the rally is now spreading to more cyclical segments of the market. History shows that equities often perform well when the Fed is cutting outside of recession, and despite some lingering risks, today’s mix of policy easing and transformative AI investment sets a constructive outlook for 2026.

Even after a six-month surge that lifted the S&P 500 more than 35% from its Liberation Day trough, equity markets appear to have further room to run. The combination of Fed rate cuts in a non-recessionary environment and continued momentum in big tech supports a constructive outlook for 2026 earnings and market performance.

AI-related capex has kept technology at the center of the rally, but strength is broadening. Cyclical sectors, including consumer, industrials, and financials, are now participating and the Russell 2000, with less tech exposure, has even outpaced the S&P 500 since April. This broadening reflects growing confidence in the earnings outlook and suggests investors are beginning to price in a more durable expansion.

Policy remains a key tailwind. Historically, equities perform well in the two years following the start of a non-recessionary easing cycle, while returns are muted when cuts occur during recessions. Today, while labor market data has softened, broader indicators remain resilient, pointing to only modest slowing. With recession risks subdued, Fed easing will provide additional support to the economy.

Risks remain, including a sharper-than-expected downturn in the labor market, or renewed fiscal stress which pushes bond yields higher, offsetting the benefits of easier policy. But the powerful combination of Fed rate cuts, a deregulatory policy agenda, enhanced tax incentives, and sustained AI-driven investment suggests a strong setup for risk assets into 2026.

Explore the forces driving global markets in our 4Q 2025 Global Market Perspectives – Against all odds, with insights on the themes and implications for the period ahead.

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