Market Insights

“The M&A outlook is optimistic, with forecasts indicating increased activity driven by larger deals focused on scale, innovation and market expansion," says David Dean, Managing Director, M&A Consulting at WTW.

Morningstar researchers find that retirees can spend a little more freely in 2026, but caution is warranted.

“Having a sense of purpose gives people energy and helps them feel happier and healthier,” Stuart Lustig, national medical executive for behavioral strategy and product design for Cigna Healthcare, said in a statement.

Ninety-five percent of CEOs surveyed are optimistic about the coming year, and 84% expect economic conditions to improve.

"We expect that only 60,000 additional jobs are needed in a typical month to keep the unemployment rate steady, a relatively low hurdle," Adam Schickling, a senior U.S. economist at Vanguard, said in a statement.

“2026 will mark a significant period when plan sponsors move from exploration to execution,” said Kevin Crain, Executive Director of IRIC.