What We’re Watching in 2026
With a year of unprecedented events behind us, we may be in for another wild ride in 2026. Our columnists have some predictions about AI, the housing market, the Fed and more.
The world experienced a lot of firsts in 2025 — some good, some not.
The Catholic Church elected an American Pope, and he’s shaping up to be a climate champion. Tesla finally released its robotaxi (sort of). Blue Origin sent an all-female crew into what’s become contested territory among male billionaires: space.
Back on Planet Earth, Japan elected its first female prime minister, and China’s trade surplus hit $1 trillion, even with the tariff war. Speaking of which, that wasn’t the only remarkable attack launched by President Donald Trump: He’s also going after the Federal Reserve’s independence.
So far at least — the year is barely a week old — 2026 is continuing 2025’s unprecedented theme, beginning with a US incursion into a sovereign country to arrest its president. There’s also the AI bubble to consider, along with the new space race, private-credit fears and, of course, several wars.
With all this in mind, our columnists looked at the biggest trends and questions of the last year and made some bold predictions for this one. Scroll through the headlines below for a roadmap of where 2026 might lead.
The 5 Biggest Challenges CEOs Will Face in 2026
Corporate leaders will be put to the test. Here’s what they should think about if they want to pass.
The Fed’s Six Big Challenges in 2026
Independence isn’t the only issue facing the world’s most powerful central bank.
America’s Year of Health-Care Chaos Will Have These Consequences
The consequences of RFK Jr.’s first year as the US health secretary will unfold over years or even decades.
Trump Has No Choice But to Break His $2 Gas Promise
Here’s why pump prices are a particularly troublesome metric of success for the president.
Six AI Questions I Want Answered in 2026
We won’t get all the answers, but we should keep asking questions about power, money and accountability.
Easy Money Defined Asia in 2025. It Gets Harder Now
Lackluster growth in Asia and low inflation justified rate cuts. The same prescription may not work in 2026.
Imagine OpenAI Bonds and Labubu Everywhere: Here’s to 2026
Those are just some of the surprising-but-not-improbable developments to consider in 2026.
The Year of the Right Is Looming in Latin America
The change is driven not only by ideology but voters’ impatience with insecurity, corruption and economic stagnation.
Buckle Up for a Volatile Year of Trump-Xi, Taiwan and Kim
Keep your eye on the big three security threats from Asia for 2026.
Five Reasons to Be Optimistic About the 2026 Economy
One year ago, many CEOs were optimistic about the 2025 economy. How should they be feeling now about 2026?
Why US Tariffs Failed to Dent Global Trade
Even if America shuts its doors, the marketplace outside will keep growing.
A British-French Alliance Is No Longer Fantasy
France’s National Rally and the UK Reform party have never been so close to power.
The Trucking Industry Can’t Cut Its Way to Prosperity in 2026
Constraining supply alone won’t reverse the freight industry’s fortunes in 2026.
Dismiss the Doomsday Clock at Your Own Peril
The famous Doomsday Clock has humanity at 89 seconds to midnight, when apocalypse strikes. In 2026, the second hand will move in the wrong direction.
The Lows of the Trump Administration’s Climate Onslaught
The government rolled back progress on the environment in at least 180 ways in 2025, and it’s just getting started.
Three Books Explain China, Russia and the Next Economic Collapse
Want to understand China, Russia and the threat of economic collapse? Read these three books.
The Housing Market Is Moving in Favor of Gen Z
Don’t give up, Gen Z: There’s a transition happening.
Five Questions About Money to Ponder in 2026
How to come up with the perfect money for the 21st century.
Ten Unexpected Things 2026 May Bring
This may well be the year we question putting humans behind the wheel and get the world’s first trillionaire.
The World Cup Is Nike’s to Lose Versus Adidas
The 2026 World Cup is on Nike’s home turf, but Adidas always does well in football.
‘Hectocorns’ Are Just One AI Flashpoint for 2026
Will Anthropic and OpenAI go public? Will Apple figure out AI? Will data centers overcome public resistance?
Gavin Newsom’s Political Paradoxes
Gavin Newsom clearly thirsts for the presidency. But first, he’ll have to navigate three tensions that could hurt his candidacy before it even officially begins.
How the White House Lost the Public on Immigration
The year 2026 is a fresh chance for Americans to ask themselves whether this is the immigration policy they want.
Hindsight Makes It Easy to Profit From Trump 2.0
If hindsight is 20/20, then Hindsight Capital had a perfect 2025.
Political Giants and Moral Degenerates: My Five Best Books of 2025
What do Joe Biden, Prince Andrew, William Buckley, Churchill, de Gaulle and Xi Jinping have in common? They all feature in some of the best books of 2025.
Japan in 2026: Takaichi, Mario and the Year of the Fire Horse
From the Iron Lady calling a snap election to the return of Nintendo’s plumber to the box office, here’s what to watch in Japan in 2026.
Wall Street Is Bullish on 2026. Assume It’s Wrong
The annual update to the strategist score card shows the street’s abysmal track record predicting the S&P 500.
Rationally Exuberant Markets Will Be Risking AI Mishaps in 2026
AI’s astronomically expensive future will be underwritten in the debt markets. That’s a vast amount of credit risk to gulp down.
Melania Trump Had a Very Bad Year
The public didn’t see much of Melania Trump in 2025, and what they did see wasn’t good.
Nvidia’s Backdoor Acquisition Won’t Be the Last
Silicon Valley will feast on its AI competitors this year as financial Darwinism winnows the field of startups
China’s Carmakers Must Avoid Home Mistakes Overseas
China’s car market is becoming saturated. It’s no surprise that homegrown automakers are looking to redouble their efforts overseas.
MAGA’s Book Bans Are Coming Back With a Vengeance
South Carolina’s recent book bans are a MAGA dream and an American nightmare.