2026 Outlook Report for Investors

Published annually (with a midyear update), the LPL Research Outlook brings together market forecasts, economic insights, and investment perspectives to help you make sense of uncertainty and stay focused on your long-term financial goals.

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Preparing for What’s Ahead

LPL Research expects many of the themes from 2025 to carry into 2026. At the center of it all is policy, which continues to play a major role in shaping both market direction and investor sentiment. With that in mind, here are a few ways to think about positioning your portfolio. 

Economy

Stay focused on your long-term plan

  • Modest slowdown early in 2026, followed by a rebound
  • Interest rates may gradually move lower
  • Diversify across assets and regions
  • Consider adding alternatives to help add stability

Stocks

Stay aligned with your long-term risk targets

  • Help you stay steady through periods of volatility
  • Positions you for potential tailwinds like AI investment or rate cuts
  • Use market pullbacks as opportunities to gradually add exposure
  • Watch communication services and industrials, with tech opportunities during volatility

Bonds

Look to bonds for income and stability

  • Elevated yields continue to offer attractive income opportunities
  • Consider agency MBS and investment-grade corporate bonds
  • Revisit larger cash positions as rates fall
  • Shifting to bonds may help lock in more attractive yields

Find Your Angle of Opportunity

No one can predict exactly what the year ahead will bring but having a clear perspective can help you stay grounded. It gives you and your financial advisor a way to navigate whatever comes next while staying aligned with your goals and what matters most to you.

If you’re looking for deeper insights and analysis, explore the full Outlook report or download the investor summary for key highlights.

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Market and Economic Education: Understanding Key Drivers

Financial headlines move fast and market commentary can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve designed resources to help individual investors and families better understand what’s happening in the stock market, why it’s happening, and what matters over time.

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Investor Weekly Market Updates

Markets move quickly, and it’s not always easy to understand what’s really driving the headlines. LPL Financial’s Investor Weekly Market Updates help cut through the noise with timely insights that explain what’s happening in the markets and why it matters.

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Investor Mid-Year Outlook

As the year unfolds, new developments can shift the outlook in meaningful ways. That’s why the LPL Research Midyear Outlook serves as a practical check-in on the annual report, highlighting what’s changed, what still holds, and what it could mean for you.

Coming Soon

*As of May 2026

**As of Annual Outlook Report 2026

Disclosure

This material is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. There is no assurance that the views or strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or will yield positive outcomes. Investing involves risks including possible loss of principal. Any economic forecasts set forth may not develop as predicted and are subject to change.

References to markets, asset classes, and sectors are generally regarding the corresponding market index. Indexes are unmanaged statistical composites and cannot be invested into directly. Index performance is not indicative of the performance of any investment and do not reflect fees, expenses, or sales charges. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results.

All index data from FactSet.

All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, LPL Financial makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy.

This research material has been prepared by LPL Financial LLC.

Not Insured by FDIC/NCUA or Any Other Government Agency

Not Bank/Credit Union Guaranteed

Not Bank/Credit Union Deposits or Obligations

May Lose Value

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