Is the Federal Reserve losing its independence in 2026?

According to The Wall Street Journal, Donald Trump recently stated that the next Federal Reserve Chair should consult him directly before making key interest rate decisions, reigniting concerns over the independence of the US central bank.

Trump suggested that interest rates should be cut to 1% or lower within a year, aiming for the United States to have “the lowest interest rates in the world”. He also indicated Kevin Warsh and Kevin Hassett as preferred candidates to lead the Fed.

These remarks have raised market concerns ahead of 2026, as the Federal Reserve remains the most influential monetary authority globally. Any perceived loss of independence could result in:
• Increased financial market volatility
• Medium-term inflationary pressures
• Negative reactions in bond and currency markets

The credibility of US monetary policy is a cornerstone of global financial stability.

Does the artificial intelligence boom continue into 2026?

Optimism around artificial intelligence (AI) remains strong. Dan Ives, Global Head of Technology Research at Wedbush Securities, continues to hold a bullish outlook on the US technology sector heading into 2026.

Ives forecasts a “magic year” for Tesla (TSLA) and identifies Nvidia (NVDA) as a consolidated leader in what he views as the early stages of an AI-driven technological revolution. He even describes his projection of another two-year bull run as “conservative”, with the Nasdaq potentially reaching 25,000 to 30,000 points over the next 12 to 24 months.

The next phase of the rally, according to Ives, should extend beyond hyperscalers such as Microsoft and Alphabet, benefiting second- and third-derivative beneficiaries, including:
• Palantir (PLTR)
• MongoDB (MDB)

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• Snowflake (SNOW)

This suggests a broadening of the AI investment cycle across the software ecosystem.

Netflix under pressure: technical weakness, long-term opportunity

Netflix (NFLX) shares are currently facing technical pressure, having closed below their 200-day moving average for 17 consecutive sessions, the longest stretch in more than three years.

This development comes amid heavy media coverage surrounding the Warner Bros acquisition battle, contributing to short-term uncertainty and creating technically intimidating chart patterns for some investors.

However, from a fundamental perspective, current price levels may represent an attractive long-term entry point, supported by:
• Netflix’s global leadership in streaming
• Its resilient subscriber base
• Strong long-term cash flow generation

Once temporary market pressures subside, the stock could be positioned for a sustained recovery.

China struggles to regain momentum

Recent economic data confirms that China’s recovery remains fragile and unbalanced. Retail sales rose just 1.3% year-on-year, significantly below expectations of 2.8%, highlighting weak domestic consumption.

Additional indicators reinforce this slowdown:
• Industrial production: +4.8%, below forecasts
• Unemployment steady at 5.1%, with no improvement
• House prices down 2.4% year-on-year
• Fixed asset investment declining 2.6% from January to November

Despite ongoing government stimulus, private sector confidence remains subdued, limiting the effectiveness of policy support and weighing on growth prospects.

Waymo and the future of autonomous mobility

Waymo, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Alphabet (Google), has reached a major milestone by completing over 14 million paid rides in 2025, cementing its leadership in large-scale robotic mobility.

Adoption has accelerated in key cities including San Francisco, Phoenix and Los Angeles, with utilisation rates exceeding one million miles per week. Looking ahead, Waymo plans to:

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• Expand into more than 20 urban markets by 2027
• Deploy sixth-generation electric autonomous fleets
• Reduce cost per mile by 50% through advanced sensors and AI

The robotaxi model could generate annual revenues exceeding $10 billion by 2030, directly challenging Uber and Lyft, while reshaping urban transport and autonomous logistics.

FINAL MARKET TAKEAWAY

From central bank independence and artificial intelligence to China’s slowdown, Netflix valuation and autonomous mobility, markets are already pricing in critical scenarios for 2026.

Understanding these structural trends will be essential for investors navigating the next phase of global market evolution.