Markets and economic outlook for 2026
I’m joined by Malcolm Wood from Ord Minnett to unpack the big economic shifts ahead in 2026 - from markets and inflation to what it all means for your retirement.
Happy New Year, Prime Timers, and welcome to our first episode of 2026!
We’re kicking off the year by peering into the economic crystal ball with one of our favourite returning guests: Malcolm Wood, Head of Institutional Research and Asset Allocation at Ord Minnett. We unpack what 2025 taught us, what might lie ahead in 2026, and how investors should be thinking about markets right now.
From the lingering effects of a second Trump presidency and the AI boom, to sticky inflation, interest rates, and China’s structural challenges, Malcom helps us cut through the noise with calm, clear and candid insights. He also lays out the global and local sectors to watch this year, what’s fuelling the high valuations we’re seeing, and where more defensive opportunities may lie.
If you’ve been wondering where things are headed, and how to position yourself wisely in what could be a bumpy year ahead, this one’s for you.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE OF THE PODCAST HERE:
Highlights of the conversation:
Why 2026 could be bumpy: We talk about the lag effects of interest rate rises, and why the real economic impact might still be coming, especially for retirees and pre-retirees watching their spending power.
Confidence in retirement planning: We discuss why volatile markets shouldn’t spook long-term investors, and how to plan your drawdowns with a clear investment strategy.
What’s driving market performance: Malcolm breaks down what’s been propping up markets (hello, tech stocks), and the risks if broader fundamentals don’t hold.
International risks to watch: From China’s property slowdown to global inflation shifts, we explore the international trends that could shape markets in the year ahead.
Making sense of media headlines: We talk about staying informed without becoming overwhelmed, and how to filter out financial noise that doesn’t serve your long-term plan.
Planning through uncertainty: Why the right advice and a clear plan matter more than ever when the economy gets tricky. Understanding that having confidence comes from knowing your plan is built to weather the bumps.
From Bec’s Desk
A new year always brings a strange mix of hope and unease. But my word for this year is confidence, and I hope you might want to borrow it too.
Confidence to learn and to try, and to have a go. Confidence to shape the life that comes next, and confidence to say no as well as yes.
Not loud confidence or bravado, just the steady kind that comes from being informed, thoughtful, and willing to keep adjusting as you go.
My hope for you this year is not certainty, it’s confidence. Confidence to make good choices without needing perfect information, confidence to adapt when things shift, and confidence to enjoy your Prime Time without being constantly hijacked by the noise.
Thanks for being here. I’m really glad we get to start another year together. And I’m thrilled we all get to start it with Malcolm Wood. Enjoy! And Happy New Year.
Book your place on the How to Have an Epic Retirement Flagship Course for Feb 2026
The next How to Have an Epic Retirement flagship course begins 19th February 2026. It’s a practical, Australia-first program designed for people in their 50s and 60s who want to understand how to navigate retirement (the easy way). And we all do the program together (we call it a synchronous program).
The earlybird 25% off deal is now on, for the first 200 students to book. Get that deal or learn more here.