Markets and Economic Updates for January 2026: Market Resilience in 2025 and Key Themes Shaping 2026

On January 6th, senior leaders from Hancock Whitney Asset Management hosted a special edition 2025 Year in Review / 2026 Outlooks Webcast, reflecting on an extraordinary year for markets and outlining what lies ahead.

2025 delivered strong absolute returns across asset classes—but not without volatility. Markets navigated sweeping policy shifts, tariff shocks, geopolitical escalation, and a Federal Reserve pivot, yet finished the year with resilience. Equities posted a third consecutive year of double-digit gains, bonds delivered their strongest performance in over two decades, and global stock markets surprised to the upside.

During the discussion, the team highlighted several themes that will shape markets in 2026—including where opportunity may lie and what risks warrant close attention.

Watch the January 2026 Markets and Economic Webinar

Webcast Highlights: Key Takeaways for 2026

• “Despite all the macro events in 2025, the U.S. economy and consumer remained remarkably resilient.”
• “We’re witnessing a reordering of the global trade and geopolitical landscape that will have lasting investment implications.”
• “We’re still in the early stages of the AI CapEx boom—and its impacts will be felt well beyond 2026.”
• “We’re in the beginning stages of a productivity boom that could carry on for quite some time.”
• “An acceleration in unemployment is the key risk that could stifle growth and raise recession probabilities.”
• “The growth of global debt is a secular risk markets will be watching closely.”

We encourage you to listen to the full recording for deeper insight into how these forces may shape markets and portfolios in 2026.

 Please note: We will be publishing a more detailed 2025 Year in Review / 2026 Outlook piece the week of January 12. To receive a copy, please reach out to any Hancock Whitney banker.