16 January 2026
Global equity markets delivered strong returns in 2025, supported by steady economic growth, declining inflation, and robust corporate earnings. Aggressive interest rate cuts by central banks, especially the US Federal Reserve, added fuel to the rally. The excitement surrounding artificial intelligence was an additional tailwind for the markets, driving meaningful rally in the US mega-cap technology stocks that dominate global indexes. These positives helped offset concerns about the protectionist shift in US trade policy.
Europe led performance at the regional level, helped by optimism around the potential economic impact of lower interest rates and increased government spending. Emerging markets also outperformed developed markets, showing broad-based strength across regions. The US and developed Asia, posted gains but lagged global peers.
2025 January – November returns of MSCI ACWI regions and sectors


Source: Manulife Investment Management, FactSet Research Systems, data as of 30 November, 2025, in USD. Past performance is not an indicative of future performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
Dynamic leaders are high-quality, industry-leading businesses with attractive growth profiles that have the potential to outpace the market and deliver strong profitability, revenue, earnings, and cash flow. We look for opportunities globally across sectors and markets. While sector weights can shift with valuations and opportunities, several themes guide our approach.
Sectors
Geographies
Company fundamentals and a supportive macro environment should continue to underpin global equities. Resilient economic data and good earnings growth have pushed valuations higher, lifting indexes to record highs. While tariff-related challenges could create short-term headwinds, we believe fiscal and monetary policies remain favourable.
As we enter 2026, we remain positive on equities. We expect opportunities beyond US markets should persist, and industry leaders are likely to strengthen their positions, offering higher return potential.
A continued broadening of market leadership should benefit active strategies like ours. Over the medium to long-term, we believe high-quality industry leaders with strong brands, sound balance sheets, and compounding earnings profiles should continue to deliver consistently solid financial results and share-price returns.
2026 Global healthcare equities outlook: Innovation supports healthcare’s long term case
Global healthcare equities showed resilience amid 2025 volatility. The defensive characteristics, coupled with remarkable therapeutic innovations in the biopharmaceutical, MedTech, and tools sub-segments of this sector, will continue to be rewarded with capital appreciation over a full market cycle. Current valuations relative to the broader market make for an attractive entry point today, and periods like this tend to lead to outperformance for healthcare stocks over the long term.
Latest asset allocation views for Asia Q1 2026
Three key global themes for the first quarter: Liquidity and stimulus set the stage for 2026; AI remains a structural growth driver; Accelerating growth may favour diversification
2026 Singapore Fixed Income Outlook: A Sanctuary for Investors in Uncertain Times
Singapore bonds posted strong performance in 2025 amid a raft of global challenges on the back of structural inflows and sovereign strength. In this 2026 Outlook, the Singapore Fixed Income team outlines the underlying fundamentals and catalysts supporting positive momentum for the asset class in the new year and why the market is increasingly seen as a sanctuary for investors in uncertain times.
2026 Global healthcare equities outlook: Innovation supports healthcare’s long term case
Global healthcare equities showed resilience amid 2025 volatility. The defensive characteristics, coupled with remarkable therapeutic innovations in the biopharmaceutical, MedTech, and tools sub-segments of this sector, will continue to be rewarded with capital appreciation over a full market cycle. Current valuations relative to the broader market make for an attractive entry point today, and periods like this tend to lead to outperformance for healthcare stocks over the long term.
Latest asset allocation views for Asia Q1 2026
Three key global themes for the first quarter: Liquidity and stimulus set the stage for 2026; AI remains a structural growth driver; Accelerating growth may favour diversification
2026 Singapore Fixed Income Outlook: A Sanctuary for Investors in Uncertain Times
Singapore bonds posted strong performance in 2025 amid a raft of global challenges on the back of structural inflows and sovereign strength. In this 2026 Outlook, the Singapore Fixed Income team outlines the underlying fundamentals and catalysts supporting positive momentum for the asset class in the new year and why the market is increasingly seen as a sanctuary for investors in uncertain times.