Year Behind, Year Ahead – Special 2026 White Paper – January 9, 2026
Year Behind, Year Ahead – Special 2026 White Paper – January 9, 2026  
Podcast: The Dividend Cafe
Published On: Fri Jan 09 2026
Description: Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4qlplEM In this episode of Dividend Cafe, the first of 2026, David L. Bahnsen reflects on the events of 2025 and provides insights and predictions for the year ahead. Key topics include the impact of the Trump administration's policies, particularly relating to tariffs and the tax bill, and their influence on the stock market and economy. David discusses major themes such as the performance of risk assets, the state of the AI industry, housing market trends, the significance of midterm elections, and the potential for small cap growth. Predictions for 2026 include the vulnerabilities in AI, the tug of war between economic drivers and headwinds, and the outlook for energy and M&A activities. The episode provides a comprehensive review and forward-looking analysis aimed at helping investors make informed decisions in the coming year. 00:00 Introduction and Annual Review Overview 01:47 Reflecting on 2025: Key Questions and Themes 06:18 Major Events and Market Reactions in Early 2025 10:14 Mid-Year Market Volatility and Policy Shifts 12:27 Third Quarter Market Dynamics and Labor Market Concerns 17:57 Year-End Market Performance and Sector Analysis 25:53 Evaluating 2025 Predictions and Themes 30:56 China Relations: A Bold Prediction 33:42 Financial Deregulation: A Mixed Bag 35:14 Earnings Disappointment: A Risky Theme 36:27 Corporate Activity: A Record Year 38:17 Deficit Reduction: A Contrarian View 40:11 Quantitative Tightening Ends 42:18 2026 Themes: AI Vulnerabilities 47:45 Economic Tug of War 50:06 Midterm Elections and Market Impact 51:38 Housing Market Predictions 53:11 Small Cap vs. S&P 500 53:51 Foreign Appetite for US Assets 54:43 Energy Sector: A Contrarian Opportunity 55:47 Mergers and Acquisitions Outlook 56:19 Conclusion: Upside Risks and Cautious Optimism Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com