Institutes of Religion, a program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026, having grown from a single location in Idaho to over 2,700 worldwide, with record numbers of young adults participating and emphasizing community, scripture study, and faith in Jesus Christ.
Despite concerns over an AI bubble and potential Fed turmoil, investors broadly expect global stock markets to rise in 2026, driven by supportive economic conditions, with notable optimism for the UK and US markets, though risks such as geopolitical tensions and private credit crises remain.
The global economic outlook for 2026 suggests a moderation in growth due to trade tensions, inflation normalization, and rising unemployment, despite some optimism about AI-driven productivity and stabilizing interest rates. Key risks include a potential tech bubble, geopolitical conflicts, and fiscal vulnerabilities, with the US leading growth among major economies.
Goldman Sachs' 2026 Outlooks predict sturdy global growth of 2.8%, with the US outperforming, positive equity markets despite potential volatility, and key themes including technological advancements, geopolitical power races, and energy supply dynamics shaping the economic landscape.
The US dollar experienced its worst year in eight, declining 9% due to expectations of Fed rate cuts and global economic shifts, with most analysts predicting further weakening in 2026 as other major economies gain momentum and central bank policies diverge. Near-term rebounds may occur due to AI enthusiasm and US growth, but the overall trend points to a weaker dollar driven by global growth convergence and monetary policy divergence.
The global economy is expected to grow steadily by 2.8% in 2026, with strong early-year growth driven by various factors, despite labor market weaknesses and China's high current account surplus. The euro area will see modest growth, inflation is forecasted to moderate, and central banks are likely to cut rates in several developed countries.
Gibson Dunn has promoted 42 lawyers to partner, the largest class in its history, reflecting its global growth and expanding client demand across various markets and practices, with a significant increase in international and London-based partners.
McDonald's is expected to report strong Q3 earnings with $3.33 EPS and $7.1 billion revenue, driven by successful value strategies and international growth, despite broader economic concerns.
The IMF reports that a surge in AI-related investment has helped the US avoid a sharp economic slowdown, boosting growth and wealth, but raises concerns about inflation and market stability, while the global outlook remains cautiously optimistic.
The OECD reports that while global growth remains resilient, the full impact of US tariffs, which hit 1933 highs, is still unfolding, with economic activity supported temporarily by AI investment and fiscal measures, but expected to slow in the coming years.
The OECD has upgraded its global economic growth forecast to 3.2% for 2025, citing resilience in many economies despite risks from high tariffs, policy uncertainty, and inflation. The US growth forecast was also raised to 1.8%, though it remains below 2024 levels, with concerns about the impact of tariffs and trade tensions on future growth. Inflation is expected to slightly decrease, but risks such as further tariff hikes and financial market volatility persist.
The IMF has slightly raised its global growth forecast for 2025 to 3.0%, citing stronger-than-expected purchases and a drop in US tariffs, but warns that ongoing trade tensions, potential tariff hikes, and geopolitical risks could still hinder economic growth. The outlook remains below pre-pandemic levels, with inflation expected to stay above target in the US, and uncertainties around trade agreements and tariffs pose significant risks to the global economy.
The IMF has upgraded its global economic growth forecast for 2025 and 2026, partly due to a temporary surge in US imports ahead of higher tariffs, but warns that ongoing trade tensions and tariffs could slow future growth and increase economic risks. UK growth remains steady, and the global economy faces uncertainties from trade policies and inflation.
The S&P 500 rose as the IMF upgraded its 2025 and 2026 U.S. GDP growth forecasts to 1.9% and 2.0%, respectively, and increased global growth estimates to 3.0% and 3.1%, driven by improved trade conditions, especially with China, which saw its GDP forecast rise to 4.8% for 2025.
The IMF has upgraded its global economic growth forecast for 2025 to 3% due to a de-escalation of US tariffs, which has boosted trade and economic expansion, though uncertainties remain due to US policies and trade tensions. Most regions, including the UK, are expected to benefit, but risks persist from unresolved trade disputes and policy uncertainties.