Illustration: Jeremy Scott Diamond. Photo: Yevgen Romanenko
By Sam Potter
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[–><!–>By now every firm on Wall Street is well aware of the risks surrounding the artificial intelligence boom. But when it comes to the year ahead, few advocate walking away from what they describe as a “revolutionary” technology. Across the investment outlooks from more than 60 institutions compiled here by Bloomberg News, the optimism is almost universal.]–><!–>
[–><!–>Fidelity International calls AI “the defining theme for equity markets” in 2026. The BlackRock Investment Institute says the tech will likely “keep trumping tariffs and traditional macro drivers.” NatWest spies “a powerful engine of economic expansion.” Even the most bearish firm — BCA Research, which warns of a potential US recession — stays neutral on stocks for now on the tailwind of AI’s huge capital expenditure.]–><!–>
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See all the calls for 2026 ↓
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<!–>When it comes to risks to the outlook, the worries are conventional. Geopolitics. Trade barriers. A weakening US labor market (BCA’s chief concern). But with the AI boom holding up, the Federal Reserve seen loosening monetary policy, and further support arriving in the shape of President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” and Germany’s fiscal stimulus, the general consensus is for the global expansion to rumble on.]–>
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Podcast: Listen to The Big Take podcast: We Read Wall Street’s 2026 Forecasts So You Don’t Have To (Podcast)
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