2026 Year Ahead Outlook webcast

Watch the Chief Investment Office’s 2026 Year Ahead Outlook webcast, Powering up: What could drive the next era of growth?

Chris Hyzy, Chief Investment Officer for Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank, sits down with experts from the Chief Investment Office and BofA Global Research for their perspectives on potential investment opportunities and risks for the upcoming year. They explore the key drivers that could help sustain a resilient U.S. economy and power a bull market that’s already into its fourth year.

BofA Global Research is produced by BofA Securities, Inc., a subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation.

00:00 – Introduction: Powering up for 2026
Chris Hyzy kicks off the 2026 Year Ahead Outlook, highlighting themes that could drive the next era of growth.
00:40 – Strong fundamentals behind the Outlook
Capital spending on AI, resilient U.S. consumers, and a rotation into equities signal underlying strength.
01:09 – Guest introductions
Description of the analysts who will be covering the Outlook’s topics.
01:30 – Introducing Transition Investing
Chris Hyzy and Haim Israel of BofA Global Research discuss the ABC’s of Transition Investing — a framework for adapting to a rapidly changing world.
02:43 – Adaptation and resiliency
Why deglobalization and tech wars are reshaping defense, automation, and infrastructure priorities.
03:41 – Built infrastructure and resources
The global need for data centers, energy, and water infrastructure could drive trillions in investment.
04:57 – Clean energy revolution
Doubling the global electricity grid and scaling renewables— plus nuclear’s resurgence in the energy mix.
06:44 – Digital and human capital
AI’s impact on jobs, reskilling 1 billion workers, and the surprising resilience of blue-collar roles.
09:19 – Transition to CIO panel
Chris thanks Haim Israel and introduces the panelists from Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank’s Chief Investment Office — head of Portfolio Strategy Marci McGregor, head of Fixed Income Strategy Matthew Diczok, and head of Market Strategy Joe Quinlan — for insights on markets and portfolio strategy for 2026.
09:50 – Equities outlook: Bull market momentum
Marci McGregor explains why the bull market still has room to run, driven by corporate profits and AI-driven productivity gains.
10:46 – Fixed income and financing the buildout
Matthew Diczok discusses opportunities in corporate debt markets, strong investor demand for yield, and implications of global capital flows.
12:04 – Fed policy and rate outlook
Matthew Diczok analyzes the Federal Reserve’s dual mandate, expected rate cuts, and why range-bound yields could benefit both bonds and equities.
12:52 – Dollar dominance and gold as a hedge
Joe Quinlan covers central bank diversification, the dollar’s resilience, and gold’s role as a global hedge amid debt and deficit concerns.
13:37 – Sector and valuation strategy
Marci McGregor highlights U.S. equity leadership, sectors to be aware of like financials and utilities, and the case for small caps as rates drift lower.
14:43 – Private markets and innovation
Marci McGregor emphasizes venture and growth equity strategies as incubators for future tech giants, especially for qualified investors.
15:32 – Consumer trends and global markets
Joe Quinlan examines the gap in spending between higher- and lower-income households, wealth-driven spending, and selective opportunities in Europe, Japan, and emerging markets.
17:02 – Fixed income portfolio positioning
Matthew Diczok advises stretching beyond cash, diversifying into longer-term bonds, and leveraging municipal bonds for high-tax clients.
18:27 – The Great Eight themes
The panel reviews CIO’s “Great Eight” themes for 2026 and beyond, from a potentially historic investment cycle, AI bubble concerns and private markets to productivity and gold.
20:56 – Closing thoughts
Chris wraps up with key takeaways: put excess cash to work, stay invested long-term, diversify, and consult an advisor.

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