As the 2026 US midterms approach, voter concerns over affordability and the economy could determine control of Congress and reshape the policy and market landscape.
This PERSPECTIVES Special examines the key electoral dynamics and their implications for fiscal, trade, AI and foreign policy, highlighting how different outcomes could influence economic growth, market leadership and sector opportunities.
Key takeaways
- Affordability remains a leading voter concern, and a relatively small number of close races could shape the balance of power in Congress. Different electoral outcomes could reshape the policy backdrop and ultimately sector leadership in the US.
- AI remains an important policy and investment theme. Questions about data centres, electricity costs and infrastructure could influence the pace of investment, while technology leadership remains a US strategic priority.
- While the midterms could influence the pace of policy implementation, the report emphasises that longer-term returns have historically been driven more by economic fundamentals, earnings and policy execution than by election outcomes alone.