Global markets are starting 2026 on a cautiously positive note, with equities edging higher, precious metals extending a strong rally, and investors bracing for a year dominated by AI, cloud computing, and fintech competition. Trading is still holiday-thinned, but attention is already shifting to manufacturing data, central bank paths, and whether the “AI trade” can drive another year of market gains after a strong 2025. Markets and macro outlook Global stocks opened 2026 in the green, with Asian equities and U.S. equity futures gaining as trading resumes after New Year closures. Precious metals are extending a “sparkling” rally, underscoring demand for hedges amid uncertainty about growth, inflation, and policy. Strategists highlight a more volatile backdrop for early 2026 as markets digest year-end earnings misses, shifting Fed expectations , and the sustainability of the AI-driven run in mega-cap tech . Key economic and policy drivers The first major data focus for 2026 is...
Tracking who leads the AI race among Apple, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Meta, Tesla and Nvidia