Why Oil Prices Matter Less — But Still Move Headline Inflation

Lower oil “intensity” — less oil used per dollar of economic output — means energy shocks have a smaller impact on growth than in past decades. And from the supply side, the U.S. is now a net exporter of petroleum products. Because we produce more than we import, the economy is less affected by volatile […]

Policy Tailwinds and Artificial Intelligence to Power Stocks in 2026

The bull market appears poised to extend its run in 2026, fueled by ongoing enthusiasm around AI and further easing of monetary policy from the Federal Reserve (Fed). However, with valuations running high and midterm election years often bringing more volatility, gains may be more tempered in 2026. LPL Research suggests investors maintain current allocations […]

Outlook 2026: The Policy Engine by LPL Research

In 2025, we observed a market environment where fiscal and monetary policy decisions, rather than traditional business fundamentals, were the primary drivers of market direction. This shift means that policy influence and market momentum have become significantly more impactful in shaping market trends, often overshadowing underlying economic performance. This policy and momentum-driven market is expected […]