This month our Chief Equity Strategist and Economist, John Blank, focuses on the U.S. market’s 2026 outlook -- on a balance -- between bull and bear views. He’s here with me now.

1. Basically, what’s the 2026 bull story on the U.S. market?

2. On the flip side, what’s the bear story?

3. What are the threats to the bull market outlook?

4. As we get closer to a New Year, do you see one market outlook versus the other playing out?

5. You’ve noted a big tail of projections for a much lower Fed Funds rate, by the end of 2026. That amounts to a de facto ‘hard landing’ recession risk. What’s the story there?

6. What impact might the Federal government shutdown have on this balance between bull and bear views?

7. Does the earnings outlook support one view over the other?

8. Is there an actual balance between the bull and bear views? If so, where does it lie?

9. Stocks you’ve been watching include Robinhood Markets (HOOD Quick QuoteHOOD - Free Report) , Crowdstrike (CRWD Quick QuoteCRWD - Free Report) and Analog Devices (ADI Quick QuoteADI - Free Report) .

Our Chief Equity Strategist and Economist, John Blank, on the U.S. market’s 2026 outlook. With John, I’m Terry Ruffolo.