Market Outlook

October 2026

Cognit Capital’s October 2026 Market Outlook examines a market shaped by resilient growth, sticky inflation, rising yields and increasing volatility. With earnings and AI-led capex supporting equities, investors face a more selective environment as monetary policy diverges and valuations remain elevated. The report explores opportunities across equities, fixed income, currencies and alternatives, alongside key risks shaping portfolio positioning.

Key Takeaways

Equities remain supported by earnings and AI investment

Resilient growth and strong earnings support an overweight view on equities, with North America and Asia ex-Japan preferred for their growth and valuation potential.

Higher yields favour shorter-duration fixed income

Sticky inflation and elevated benchmark yields favour shorter-duration bonds, while EM USD government bonds offer attractive yields, improving fundamentals and stronger credit profiles.

Volatility strengthens the case for active strategies

Wider dispersion across markets and sectors creates opportunities for active management, with long-short and market-neutral hedge funds positioned to benefit from rising volatility.

AI investment is broadening beyond technology

AI-driven capex is creating opportunities across Industrials and Materials, while stretched valuations make earnings delivery and AI monetisation key risks to monitor.