Latest Industry Trends News
AI Fuels US GDP Growth to 2.2% in 2026
US growth is forecasted to reach 2.2% in 2026, propelled by AI investments, reduced tariff uncertainty, fiscal support, and further rate cuts. Risks include labor market deterioration and potential AI bubble burst.
AI spending on data centers is holding up business investment.
Central Banks Diverge on Policy Paths
Post-Fed rate cut, ECB expected to hold rates through 2026 amid reviving growth, while BoJ hikes amid accelerating economy. Flash PMIs for US, eurozone, UK, Japan, India, Australia upcoming for insights.
Nine central banks in focus with key data releases.
Global Equity Bull Market Continues
Ample liquidity, lower rates, earnings growth, deregulation support stocks; prefer world ex-US, healthcare, Euro banks, mining. AI infrastructure build-out drives uptrend despite valuation dispersion.
Robust earnings and healthy corporate sector bolster 2026 expansion.
Energy Demand Surges from AI Data Centers
Data centers to account for nearly half of US electricity demand growth through 2030; power and grid operators in spotlight. Tech sector issues debt for infrastructure amid deregulation and mega-mergers.
Renewable energy themes boomed with data-center demand.
Flash PMIs Signal Mixed Global Expansion
November PMIs show US and India moderating but leading; eurozone and Australia accelerating, UK slowing. December flash surveys key for US, eurozone, UK, Japan, India, Australia.
Global PMI indicates robust expansion but subdued confidence.
FOMC Upgrades Growth, Cuts Rates
Fed cuts 25bps amid weakening labor data; growth forecasts upgraded to 1.7% 2025, 2.3% 2026. Convergence to 2% growth, 4% unemployment, 2% inflation.
Consumer spending resilient, AI supports investment.
Copper Demand Booms from AI and Electrification
Copper benefits from strong global AI/electrification demand with limited supply; favor physical copper, mining stocks. Precious metals positive on weaker USD, lower rates, geopolitics.
Energy prices weaken but commodities diverge.
Europe Eyes Recovery via Fiscal Stimulus
Germany increases fiscal stimulus, France tightens budget; moderating inflation unlocks expansion. Energy costs fall, improving earnings in industrials, infrastructure, renewables.
Eurozone PMIs and data ahead of ECB decision.
China Growth Slows to 4.5% Amid Headwinds
Growth projected to slow with real estate and consumer issues, offset by policy stimulus and low inflation. Targeted measures stabilize property and support demand.
Emerging Asia attractive with lower rates, tech value.
Japan Poised for Rate Hike and Growth
BoJ expected to hike rates Friday amid rising prices, growth; Tankan survey, PMIs key. Governance reforms, robotics, US ties reinforce overweight.
Exports up led by gold, pharma.
Industrials and Tech Lead Sector Gains
Industrial sector up ~19.6% YTD; tech AI spending tops $400B in 2026 potential. Semiconductors, cloud at epicenter; beyond chatbots to innovations.
Bonds rally best since 2020 on falling rates.
Global Economy Resilient Despite Tariffs
Remarkable resilience to US tariff shock in 2025; continued easing supports emerging growth in 2026. Tax cuts front-load spending, employment firms with AI boom.
Geopolitics, elections pose risks.