Five Forces Shaping 2026: Policy Divergence, AI Momentum, and Shifting Market Cycles

The featured report brings together Neuberger Berman’s investment leaders to outline the macro trends and market dynamics expected to define 2026. 

Diverging global policy paths and AI-driven productivity gains are set to influence growth, inflation and rate-cut trajectories across regions.

• AI remains a key market driver, accelerating capex cycles and widening dispersion across sectors, while long-term rates appear to have stabilized after absorbing fiscal and debt-related risks.

• Private markets face slower exits but rising opportunities in secondaries, liquidity solutions and AI-linked infrastructure financing.

Explore the full report to understand how these themes may inform asset allocation and risk positioning in the year ahead.