Insights

Considering the constructive economic and market outlook, ClearBridge Investments believes the market will ultimately climb today’s wall of worry as investors’ leading fears are assuaged.

On this month’s Talking Markets podcast, our host, John Przygocki, sits down with ClearBridge Investments’ Jeff Schulze to assess the US economic outlook, evolving recession risks, and the market implications of escalating geopolitical tensions. The conversation spans inflation dynamics, the potential impact of oil price increases and Fed policy expectations, while also exploring AI disruption and providing an update on US equity markets.

ClearBridge Investments: History shows that investors should take advantage of the opportunity that appears to be emerging, with solid returns in the S&P 500 following historical “geopolitical dips”.

On this month’s Talking Markets podcast, Jeff Schulze of ClearBridge Investments reviews the latest Recession Risk Dashboard, including an update to Manufacturing PMI, New Orders. He also shares his thoughts on rotation in the US equity space, consumer strength, and why markets may see some volatility in 2026.

ClearBridge Investments believes a further continuation of late 2025’s broadening earnings delivery and accompanying market leadership rotation is likely given the underlying fundamental drivers.

On this month’s Talking Markets podcast, Jeff Schulze of ClearBridge Investments shares insights from the ClearBridge Recession Risk Dashboard, explores the outlook for US equities in 2026, and discusses how AI-driven capital expenditures compare to past innovation cycles. Get his perspective on economic trends and where opportunities may lie in the year ahead.

ClearBridge Investments: Despite bubble fears, there are several key differences between the late 1990s and today that we believe bode well for US equities in the year to come.

On this month’s Talking Markets podcast, our host John Przygocki and ClearBridge Investments’ Jeff Schulze examine the state of the US economy following the end of the government shutdown and amid ongoing debates about the impact of artificial intelligence on employment.

ClearBridge Investments: The ClearBridge Recession Risk Dashboard remains firmly in green expansionary territory; despite AI labor fears, supportive fiscal and monetary policy should power the US economy and corporate earnings in 2026.

Jeff Schulze, Head of Economic and Market Strategy at ClearBridge Investments, discusses key spending, employment and other policy factors he is following as we look forward to 2026.

On this month’s Talking Markets podcast, Jeff Schulze, Head of Economic and Market Strategy at ClearBridge Investments, discusses the latest US economic outlook and provides insights on the Recession Risk Dashboard. Despite a federal government shutdown delaying official data releases, Jeff shares the alternative indicators he's using and why he thinks they point to continued economic resilience, strong corporate earnings, and a resilient consumer.

ClearBridge Investments believes the probability of a pickup in layoffs tipping the economy into a recession remains low. They remain confident that US economic growth will continue to moderate but stay on a healthy trajectory.

On this month’s Talking Markets podcast, Jeff Schulze of ClearBridge Investments discusses the potential for Fed interest-rate cuts and why he's leaning a bit hawkish. He also compares today's market dynamics to the late 1990s tech boom and shares his thoughts on the Magnificent Seven and global equity performance.

Whether a stock market bubble is forming has become a key debate for investors. ClearBridge Investments believes a boom may be ahead, driven by a favorable policy mix and a healthy consumer supporting earnings growth.

On this month’s Talking Markets podcast, Jeff Schulze of ClearBridge Investments shares his take on the August payroll figures and reviews the Recession Risk Dashboard which is currently holding with an overall green signal. He also covers why he thinks we may see three interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve this year.

ClearBridge Investments: We believe the underlying health of the labor market remains solid, despite the recent shocks. As the impacts from these shocks fade, the resilience of the US economy will once again shine through as we move into 2026 in the form of a pickup in job creation.

On this month’s Talking Markets podcast, ClearBridge Investments' Jeff Schulze provide his insights on the US labor market–reviewing the latest job report and past payroll revision figures. And, he covers why his views about potential Fed rate cuts in 2025 have shifted.

ClearBridge Investments: With clarity on tariffs emerging, a major source of macro and market uncertainty is waning. Combined with a tax and fiscal boost from new legislation, corporate animal spirits are poised to pick up.

On this month’s Talking Markets podcast, we hear from Jeff Schulze of ClearBridge Investments on the chances of a recession, why investors may need to recalibrate their views on what a normal level of job growth is in the United States, and he reviews what's happening on the tariffs and trade front.

ClearBridge Investments believes positive forces from One Big Beautiful Bill Act passage and future interest rate cuts should soon outweigh negative forces of tariff actions.

ClearBridge Investments: Energy-driven inflation and geopolitical risk increase the likelihood of higher-for-longer interest rates, which listed infrastructure has several mechanisms for passing through to earnings.

ClearBridge Investments believes infrastructure continues to offer built-in inflation defense, with regulatory frameworks and long-term contracts, supporting cash flows even if valuations face near-term rate pressure.

ClearBridge Investments believes the most constructive outcome for energy equities is a quicker resolution to the Middle East conflict, as energy stocks typically perform better when prices stabilize at higher levels.

ClearBridge Investments believes high-quality upstream oil and LNG-linked equities offer disciplined exposure in a market where geopolitical risk now drives oil pricing.

ClearBridge Investments: Rising energy-related inflation risks underscore the importance of UK energy security and the attractiveness of regulated infrastructure businesses with revenues linked to their regulated asset bases.

ClearBridge Investments believes the outlook for infrastructure in 2026 remains robust, driven by the accelerating demand for power and data fueled by AI.

ClearBridge Investments believes accelerating policy-driven investment and AI-driven data center growth are unlocking a multi-decade growth opportunity for listed utilities globally.

ClearBridge Investments: Despite recent strong performance for listed infrastructure versus equities, infrastructure valuations are still attractive on a risk adjusted basis, and could have room to run.

ClearBridge Investments: A new regime of tariffs will likely create the need for more infrastructure to support reshoring, while utilities' lack of exposure to international trade may bolster their defensiveness.

ClearBridge Investments: Demand for renewable energy will continue to be strong regardless of policy changes due to factors such as AI, as we think the market overlooks the changing electricity demand for renewable energy.

ClearBridge Investments believes the drivers of strong performance for midstream energy infrastructure in 2024 look to be just as relevant for 2025 and beyond.

ClearBridge Investments: While Donald Trump’s presidential victory has dominated global headlines, several key election results outside the United States could have significant impacts on international markets going forward in 2025.

ClearBridge Investments: Opportunities continue to be widespread across the infrastructure landscape, with strong fundamentals and the market still massively underestimating the growth in electricity demand driven by AI and data growth.

The potential of AI and data growth to drive significant infrastructure investment represents an emerging long-term thematic driver for the listed infrastructure asset class, according to ClearBridge Investments.

While the emergence of generative AI has sparked debate and uncertainty, ClearBridge Investments believes long-term investors should focus on the fundamental value proposition of software in driving business efficiency and innovation.

As we navigate an era of rapid technological advancement and increasing emphasis on sustainability, infrastructure emerges as a crucial investment opportunity. Find out more from ClearBridge Investments.

US market leadership is likely to broaden beyond the “Magnificent Seven” mega-cap stocks to include areas such as small caps and value stocks.

ClearBridge Investments believes reshoring and improving efficiencies leaves high-quality less-than-truckload (LTL) companies and rail stocks attractively positioned for a macro rebound.

According to research from ClearBridge Investments, infrastructure has historically outperformed global equities over several time periods after the last rate hike.

ClearBridge Investments believes regulated utilities are entering into an elevated capex cycle over the coming decades, and regulators are broadening their allowed returns to help utilities finance that growth.

ClearBridge Investments: Energy-driven inflation and geopolitical risk increase the likelihood of higher-for-longer interest rates, which listed infrastructure has several mechanisms for passing through to earnings.

ClearBridge Investments believes infrastructure continues to offer built-in inflation defense, with regulatory frameworks and long-term contracts, supporting cash flows even if valuations face near-term rate pressure.

ClearBridge Investments believes the most constructive outcome for energy equities is a quicker resolution to the Middle East conflict, as energy stocks typically perform better when prices stabilize at higher levels.

ClearBridge Investments believes high-quality upstream oil and LNG-linked equities offer disciplined exposure in a market where geopolitical risk now drives oil pricing.

ClearBridge Investments: As AI challenges digital business models, companies with physical assets, predictable cash flows, dividends and durable moats stand out as better positioned in a volatile, high‑valuation market.

US equities underperformed global markets in the first six months of 2025, but continue to trade at a premium to foreign markets. ClearBridge Investments outlines the case for global diversification.

ClearBridge Investments believes macro and technological shifts are driving a wider dispersion of outcomes, highlighting the need for active management.

ClearBridge Investments believes tariffs remain the key risk to corporate profits in the second half of the year and is less concerned about geopolitical events or the outlook for fiscal and monetary policy.

ClearBridge Investments believes significant state-supported investment in research and development, combined with established life science infrastructure, is bolstering the rapid growth of a Chinese biotechnology industry.

ClearBridge Investments believes dividend growers possess three attributes for an environment marked by inflation and policy risk: potential for downside protection, current income and growth.

ClearBridge Investments: Since the pandemic, the volatility of returns between growth and value has surged, which we believe is emblematic of a shift toward a new, value-led market regime.

ClearBridge Investments: While the new US administration’s policies are creating uncertainty in sustainability issues, particularly for tax-reliant wind and solar, many sustainable business criteria remain unchanged.

ClearBridge Investments believes massive fiscal reforms in Europe and resolution of the Russia-Ukraine war could help close the leadership gap between the United States and the rest of the world.

ClearBridge Investments believes the drivers of strong performance for midstream energy infrastructure in 2024 look to be just as relevant for 2025 and beyond.

ClearBridge Investments: Sam Peters suggests valuation excesses remain hidden, but are quickly growing too large to ignore, creating three distinct 2025 possibilities: Goldilocks, cyclical inflation and recession.

ClearBridge Investments: Our expectation is that 2025 will be a more modest but positive year given ample liquidity, healthy corporate profits and animal spirits that have been buoyed by expectations of a pro-growth, deregulatory agenda.

ClearBridge Investments: India’s long‑term growth opportunity is underpinned by favorable demographics, rising domestic consumption and corporate reforms.

ClearBridge Investments believes emerging market equities have turned a corner, showing strong performance after years of lagging returns.

ClearBridge Investments believes emerging market equities have turned a corner, showing strong performance after years of lagging returns.

ClearBridge Investments: The AI revolution's biggest winners may not be the mega-cap developers everyone's watching. Smaller-cap specialists building the physical infrastructure behind AI could offer investors a different play—one that doesn't require betting on a single technology or architecture.