Cathie Wood Calls US Economy 'Coiled Spring' In 2026 Outlook, Predicts 'Golden Age'

Economic Outlook - The U.S. economy is described as a "coiled spring" ready for a significant rebound, with a forecast of a "golden age" for U.S. equities similar to the 1980s boom [1] - The "rolling recession" over the past three years, caused by aggressive Federal Reserve rate hikes, has created economic tension that is expected to lead to substantial GDP growth and wealth creation [2] Policy and Market Dynamics - The current economic environment is characterized as "Reaganomics on steroids," with a combination of fiscal stimulus and pro-business deregulation anticipated to drive capital spending, especially in AI and robotics [3] - Predictions indicate real GDP growth could accelerate to 6-8%, driven by a 4-6% increase in productivity, which would help suppress unit labor costs [4] Housing Market Insights - The housing market is central to the "coiled spring" thesis, with existing home sales at levels not seen since the early 1980s, despite a larger population [6] - A sharp recovery in the housing market is expected as interest rates stabilize and inventory becomes available, with major homebuilders like Lennar Corp., KB Home, and D.R. Horton Inc. reducing prices to clear inventory [7] Investment Shifts - There is a notable shift in asset allocation, with skepticism towards gold due to its high valuation relative to the M2 money supply, while Bitcoin is favored for its mathematical scarcity and halving mechanics [8]