Global Investment Outlook 2026

Several factors point toward potential global growth acceleration in 2026. However, employment weakness poses a meaningful risk. Brandywine Global experts share what this sideways outlook may mean for the economy, financial markets, and cross-country divergences.

ClearBridge Investments: Shifting geopolitics are causing policymakers in Europe and Japan to step up fiscal spending to gain self-sufficiency and generate growth.

Franklin Equity Group suggests markets seem to be transitioning from a narrow, liquidity-driven regime to one shaped by fundamentals, innovation, and active management.

Franklin Equity Group’s Grant Bowers suggests the US economy may be approaching a Goldilocks equilibrium in 2026, supported by stable growth, anchored inflation and policy tailwinds.

After two years of elections and policy upheaval, Templeton Global Investments expects 2026 to bring a period of greater stability, as the policy, macro and industry conditions now settle into a clearer framework.

Franklin Equity Group’s Matt Cioppa suggests we’re in the midst of a multi-year AI super-cycle, and this will keep us optimistic on the technology sector in 2026.

ClearBridge Investments expects a broadening of market participation that should benefit more diversified portfolios in 2026.

2025 is ending with a range of worries for the stock market—which is no surprise, observes Putnam Equity’s Shep Perkins. But it’s important to also recognize what could go right for the market in 2026.

ClearBridge Investments believes the outlook for infrastructure in 2026 remains robust, driven by the accelerating demand for power and data fueled by AI.

ClearBridge Investments believes emerging market equities have turned a corner, showing strong performance after years of lagging returns.

While US investors focus on growth, international markets may remain the best places to find value opportunities in 2026, says Franklin Mutual Series.

Innovation will reshape the global economy in 2026, according to Franklin Equity Group’s Jonathan Curtis. In this paper, he suggests AI, automation and digital infrastructure have moved beyond the tech sector to become engines of value creation across every industry.

Jeff Schulze, Head of Economic and Market Strategy at ClearBridge Investments, discusses key spending, employment and other policy factors he is following as we look forward to 2026.

Several factors point toward potential global growth acceleration in 2026. However, employment weakness poses a meaningful risk. Brandywine Global experts share what this sideways outlook may mean for the economy, financial markets, and cross-country divergences.

Emerging markets defied expectations in 2025 amid a surprisingly favorable global environment and several historically troubled economies enacting significant structural reforms. Our Franklin Templeton Fixed Income team share their 2026 outlook for emerging market debt and assess whether these positive trends will continue.

Looking ahead to 2026, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai says that macro is back in the driver’s seat for financial markets’ performance and investment strategies.

The Franklin Templeton Fixed Income team believes the US economy is expected to remain resilient in 2026, while the euro area faces cautious optimism. Japan’s growth is underpinned by fiscal expansion and robust private demand. Find out more in the latest “Macro Views.”

As the Fed resumes cutting interest rates, Ed Perks, CIO of Franklin Income Investors, provides an update on the current investment landscape. He also shares his insights and outlook on the fixed income and equity markets, with a particular emphasis on diversifying for income.

Clarion Parters believes overseas investors remain keen on European logistics and expect global interest to build further in 2026.

Geopolitical risks remain elevated as the markets continue to digest the impact of trade tariffs. What does this mean for private markets? Franklin Templeton Institute shares its outlook.

After years of US mega-cap dominance, global equity markets are changing course. Correlations have fallen, monetary policies are diverging, and regional drivers are reshaping returns. This analysis explores what’s behind these shifts, the opportunities we believe are likely to emerge, and why we believe global diversification deserves a fresh look in 2026.