Philip Petursson, Chief Investment Strategist, IG Wealth Management, explores the fourth and final pillar of our 2026 market outlook: the wealth effect wave. He says that rising equity markets and the spending patterns of the wealthiest Americans continue to drive economic expansion. He also says consumer discretionary stocks signal economic strength and shares what disciplined investors should focus on as they navigate the markets in the year ahead.

This episode explores the third pillar of our 2026 market outlook: the transformative AI supercycle. Ashish Utarid, Assistant Vice-President, Investment Strategy at IG Wealth Management, unpacks how disciplined, cash-flow-backed investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure are reshaping economic growth, enhancing productivity and driving the next phase of expansion. He says today’s AI investing cycle is fundamentally different from prior tech booms, and explores what this means for the markets and broader economy.

This week, we have part two of our series on the 2026 market outlook. Ashish Utarid, Assistant Vice-President of Investment Strategy at IG Wealth Management delves into the fiscal engine, examining how expansionary fiscal policies in both the U.S. and Canada will drive market activity. He explains the effects of accelerated depreciation and Canadian stimulus on households, corporations and overall economic growth, emphasizing how this calculated boldness is likely to be rewarded by markets.