Traders Weigh Second Half Outlook: Markets Snapshot

AI Summary

The first half of 2026 saw strong earnings and new equity highs driven by enthusiasm for the AI trade. Leading voices discuss the outlook for the second half amid geopolitical tensions, growth concerns, and ongoing AI investment jitters that influence global equity markets.

The first half of 2026 saw a bumper earnings season and global equity benchmarks soar to new highs, driven by a enthusiasm around the AI trade. Businesses, investors and central banks now turn their attention to the second half of the year with the focus firmly on whether markets can move past rocky geopolitical issues, growth concerns and ongoing jitters around the AI buildout. The Opening Trade spoke to leading voices about how the rest of 2026 is shaping up for equity markets. (Source: Bloomberg)