Hi, I’m Yan Arsenault and I lead the team that produces our quarterly newsletter, Market Point.
So far in 2026, the global economy has continued to move forward in the face of new and ongoing challenges.
Despite higher interest rates and some short-term inflation pressures tied to geopolitical uncertainty, growth remains relatively steady both in the U.S. and overseas.
In the U.S., the economy is still on track to grow a little over two percent this year. It is supported by steady consumer spending and ongoing business investment, all backed by healthy balance sheets across households and corporations.
Globally, growth also continues but not evenly across regions. Asia remains a bright spot, while Europe is beginning to show signs of improvement supported by fiscal initiatives.
As mentioned, inflation has proven a little sticky, which has delayed the timing of rate cuts, but not the underlying expansion.
In asset markets, recent tensions with Iran have caused short term market swings, mostly through higher energy prices.
In equities, stocks pulled back in March as investors reacted to geopolitical headlines, yet the fundamentals underneath remain solid. Company earnings expectations have stayed intact, indicating that businesses are still generating solid profits.
In bonds, higher yields have improved income potential. While bonds have faced some pressure as inflation concerns returned, higher yields are creating stronger income opportunities.
Overall, staying diversified and focused on the long term remains key as markets work through short term noise. Historically, geopolitical events like this have led to temporary market volatility—not long lasting economic damage.
As we look ahead, the environment may continue to feel uncertain at times—but that’s not new. Our focus remains on helping you stay grounded in a disciplined, long-term approach: managing risk, maintaining diversification, and making thoughtful adjustments as conditions evolve.
Thank you for listening and I hope you enjoy reading our Market Point newsletter. To view the full edition, visit trustpointinc.com, where you’ll find additional news and insights to help simplify and secure your wealth.
