2026 Outlook: The Policy Engine
In 2026, we observed a market environment where fiscal and monetary policy decisions, rather than traditional business fundamentals, were the primary drivers of market direction. This shift means that policy influence and market momentum have become significantly more impactful in shaping market trends, often overshadowing underlying economic performance…
LPL Financial Research
Weekly Market Commentary | Earnings Season Outlook: Will Markets Care? | March 30, 2026
LPL Research explains why solid earnings, AI investment, and economic resilience underpin stocks, even as oil prices and volatility pressure markets.
Energy Stocks Vary Across Market Cycles
LPL Research explores the energy sector, and the different sub-sectors and business models within, before and after the start of the Iran War.
Private Credit Under Pressure: Liquidity Mismatches in an AI-Disrupted Cycle
LPL Research examines recent private credit activity in the face of growing sophistication from AI.
Why Oil Prices Matter Less — But Still Move Headline Inflation
LPL Research explains how America’s declining reliance on oil and rising geopolitical risks shape inflation, growth expectations, and volatility in 2026.
Navigating Market Volatility During the Iran Crisis
In our 2026 Outlook: The Policy Engine, we listed several risks to stocks that could prevent the S&P 500 from achieving our forecast for high-single-digit returns in 2026 (to a fair value target range of 7,300–7,400).