Introduction to 2026
The year 2026 has begun with a flurry of geopolitical events, which has had a positive impact on domestic Energy-sector stocks. However, the AI mega-trend is also gaining traction, particularly in the tech sector outside the US. This trend is a continuation of the outperformance of international equities seen in 2025.
Tech Takes Center Stage
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) was held in Las Vegas, with CEO Jensen Huang giving the keynote address. The semiconductor space is becoming increasingly competitive, with Alphabet’s in-house chips and Broadcom’s custom GPUs and TPUs posing a challenge to the industry leaders. Upcoming conferences will provide valuable insights into the future of AI and its potential risks for the broader Information Technology sector.
Healthcare in Focus
The healthcare sector is also in the spotlight, with the Annual Health Care Conference scheduled to take place soon. Large-cap pharma is navigating a volatile regulatory environment, while biotech stocks have been performing well since mid-2025. Insurance providers are also facing challenges, particularly in the context of the midterm elections.
Banks: Quiet Winners
The big banks were quiet winners in 2025, with uptrending stock and bond markets, a solid year for IPOs, and booming M&A activity. Financial institutions around the world also performed well, with many posting significant annual returns.
Metals and Mining: Riding High
The Metals & Mining industry is experiencing strong tailwinds, with record-high spot metal prices, low energy costs, and steady labor expenses. This has resulted in significant upside price action for companies in this sector.
Asset Allocation Questions
As investors look to the future, they will be seeking guidance on asset allocation in light of recent trends. The equity bull market is now over three years old, and US bonds posted a 7% total return in 2025. Emerging markets are also approaching all-time highs, and the dollar has steadied after a decline in the first half of 2025.
Macro Forces at Play
The macro environment is also a key factor, with a changing Fed makeup, resilient US GDP growth, cooling inflation, and a K-shaped consumer backdrop. These factors will likely be discussed at upcoming conferences, and investors will be watching closely for any signs of change.
Upcoming Conferences
The first quarter of 2026 will see a number of significant conferences across various sectors, including:
- Information Technology & Communication Services: CES, Needham 28th Annual Technology and Growth Conference, Susquehanna 15th Annual Technology Conference
- Health Care: Sachs 9th Annual Neuroscience Innovation Forum, JP Morgan 44th Annual Healthcare Conference, TD Cowen 46th Annual Healthcare Conference
- Consumer Discretionary & Consumer Staples: NRF Retail’s Big Show, ICR 28th Annual Conference, Evercore ISI Retail Summit
- Financials & Real Estate: 3rd Annual DealFlow Discovery Conference, World Outlook Financial Conference, Bank of America US Financial Services Conference
- Industrials: Bank of America Defense Outlook and Commercial Aerospace Forum, Citi Global Industrial Tech and Mobility Conference, Barclays 43rd Annual Industrial Select Conference
- Energy & Utilities: Evercore Power Conference, UBS Global Energy & Utilities Winter Conference, JEF Flagship Power, Utilities, Clean Energy & Energy Flagship Conference
- Materials: Red Cloud Virtual Institutional Precious Metals Producer Day, Metals Investor Forum Vancouver, TD Cowen 17th Annual Global Mining Conference
- Regional: UBS Greater China Conference, Goldman Sachs European Technology Conference, Morgan Stanley European Healthcare Conference
- Investor-Specific & Multi-Sector: Bank of America SMID C-Suite Conference, World Economic Forum Week, Sidoti January Micro-Cap Conference
Conclusion
In conclusion, 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year for investors, with a number of significant conferences and events scheduled to take place. The tech sector is likely to remain a key area of focus, particularly in the context of the AI mega-trend. The healthcare sector will also be closely watched, as will the Metals & Mining industry. As investors navigate the complex macro environment, they will be seeking guidance on asset allocation and looking for opportunities to capitalize on emerging trends.
