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Summary
As we enter the second half of 2026, markets are navigating a shifting backdrop shaped by moderating inflation, evolving central bank policy, geopolitical uncertainty, and the growing influence of AI on growth expectations and market leadership. Beneath the surface, elevated concentration and diverging earnings trends are driving a wider range of outcomes across sectors and companies.
Join us for our mid-year outlook as we examine how these dynamics are shaping markets and portfolio positioning. We will connect the macro backdrop with market trends and company insights to help frame the risks and opportunities for the remainder of the year.
Discussion topics will include:
- A macro perspective on growth, inflation, interest rates, and geopolitics—and the implications for fixed income and broader markets
- An index-level view of what’s driving the S&P 500, including earnings trends, valuations, and shifts in market leadership
- A company-level perspective focused on earnings revisions and where fundamentals are changing across sectors
Speakers
S&P Global Ratings
Paul Gruenwald
Global Chief Economist
Paul Gruenwald is the Global Chief Economist at S&P Global Ratings based in New York. He leads the economic research agenda and serves as the primary spokesperson on macro-economic matters for the company.
Before joining S&P Global Ratings in 2013, Paul spent almost five years at the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) as the Asia Pacific Chief Economist, where he was responsible for helping set and direct ANZ’s Asian and global economic research agenda, as well as building the bank’s economic research efforts and profile in the region. Previously, Paul worked at the International MonetaryFund(IMF) for nearly 16 years, where he led the team producing the IMF’s Asian regional outlook reports. He was also the IMF Resident Representative to Hong Kong and Korea, the Deputy Chief of the China Division, and did considerable work on both public (Paris Club) and private (London Club) debt restructuring issues.
Paul has a Ph.D. in Economics from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in Economics/Mathematics from the University of Texas.
S&P Global Market Intelligence
Melissa Otto, CFA
Head of Visible Alpha Research
Melissa is Head of Visible Alpha Research at S&P Global. She focuses on understanding AI applications and the role of the mega-cap technology stocks, while integrating Visible Alpha and CapIQ tools into a broad range of investment research topics, sectors and persona workflows. Prior to joining Visible Alpha, she spent 20+ years as an equity analyst and portfolio manager, investing in global technology and consumer stocks and the Pan-Asia region. In addition to her equity investing career, Melissa worked with engineering teams at data providers and Microsoft Azure building cloud-based solutions to centralize and aggregate critical investment data for investors.
Melissa studied Japanese at Harvard University, received her MA in economics from Brandeis University and MS degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and is a CFA charterholder. She is certified in Azure Fundamentals and Agile Project Management and recently completed The Business of AI course at Columbia Business School. She is a frequent media commentator on equities in the US and abroad.
S&P Dow Jones Indices
Anu R. Ganti, CFA
Senior Director, Head of U.S. Index Investment Strategy
Anu R. Ganti is Senior Director and Head of U.S. Index Investment Strategy at S&P Dow Jones Indices (S&P DJI). The index investment strategy team provides research and commentary on the entire S&P DJI product set, including U.S. and global equities, thematics, commodities, fixed income and sustainability indices. She is also a frequent contributor to both print and broadcast media outlets.
Prior to joining S&P DJI, Anu worked in the asset management space, completing a post-MBA rotational program at Russell Investments within their fixed income research and trading divisions and working as a portfolio manager focusing on emerging market equities at Parametric Portfolio Associates (part of Morgan Stanley Investment Management).
Anu is a CFA charterholder and holds an MBA in finance and economics from Columbia Business School, and a bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing from NYU’s Stern School of Business.
S&P Global Market Intelligence
Nicholas Ephraim
Director, Product Management & Development
Nick is currently an Associate Director on our CIQ Solutions Business Development team, supporting Capital Markets clients in the Americas. Prior to his role within the product organization, he was a Relationship Manager for Investment Management clients. Nick started his career with S&P on the Client Development team supporting strategic accounts. He received his undergraduate degree from SUNY New Paltz and MBA from Baruch College's Zicklin School of Business in NYC.
Questions?
Please contact us if you need more information or have trouble accessing the webinar.