Wall Street manager sends blunt message on economy in 2026

Economic Outlook - Navellier predicts U.S. GDP growth will exceed 5% in 2026, driven by factors such as interest rate cuts and increased investments in domestic production [2][24] - The Federal Reserve has reduced the Fed Funds Rate by a quarter percentage point at each of the past three meetings to support the jobs market [1][12] AI Investment Impact - AI spending is projected to significantly contribute to economic growth, with Goldman Sachs estimating hyperscalers will spend $533 billion in 2026, a 34% increase from 2025 [15] - Bank of America forecasts spending on AI data centers to rise from $243 billion in 2025 to $415 billion in 2026, indicating a robust investment trend [16] Trade and Manufacturing - The U.S. trade deficit improved to -$52.8 billion in September, its lowest level since early 2020, which is expected to provide a GDP tailwind as more production is brought back to the U.S. [11][9] - The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) includes incentives for capital spending, encouraging domestic manufacturing and investment [7][8] Inflation and Interest Rates - Inflation concerns appear exaggerated, with November CPI inflation at 2.7%, down from 3% in September, suggesting a more favorable environment for economic growth [19][20] - Bank of America projects core PCE inflation for 2026 to be around 3.1% in Q1, which may lead to further interest rate cuts if unemployment remains high [21][22][23] Overall Economic Growth Drivers - Economic growth is expected to be supported by onshoring and data center growth, with lower interest rates likely stimulating interest rate-sensitive sectors such as automotive and housing [24]