Oakglen Wealth Investment Seminar: Trumped! Or Triumphant? Navigating Global Markets in 2026
St Helier, Jersey | 19 November 2025
Last week, we were delighted to host our annual investment seminar at the Pomme d’Or Hotel in St Helier, Jersey, welcoming over 130 attendees. The event brought together clients, partners and colleagues for an engaging discussion on the forces shaping global markets as we approach the end of 2025.
Our Chief Investment Officer, Jeff Brummette, led the session with a thoughtful and well-grounded overview of the current macroeconomic landscape. Drawing on decades of experience in global markets, Jeff guided attendees through the major trends that are influencing growth, policy and investment positioning, as well as the opportunities and risks that are coming into view for 2026.
The seminar offered far more than a market update. It provided a chance to step back and reflect on how structural shifts, political developments and evolving economic pressures are creating a subtly different investment backdrop from the one we faced even a year ago.

Below are some of the central themes explored during the discussion.
Global Growth, Inflation and Policy Direction
One of the most important questions in any investment outlook is the path of inflation and growth. Over the course of 2025 we have seen inflation recede toward more comfortable levels across major economies, allowing central banks to start reducing interest rates. Although cuts are likely to continue, Jeff highlighted that the tempo is expected to moderate as policymakers balance disinflation with persistent fiscal pressures and large government borrowing needs.
The world economy is still growing, although at a slightly slower pace than last year. The IMF’s projections suggest that output in 2026 will hold steady across most regions. The United States continues to demonstrate resilience, supported in part by investment in technology and infrastructure, while Europe and the United Kingdom are seeing early signs of improvement after a softer period.
A recurring theme across the discussion was the scale of public debt, which is now elevated in many advanced economies. This creates constraints but also shapes the policy landscape, as governments remain inclined to maintain supportive fiscal stances. At the same time, geopolitical tensions and changing trade dynamics introduce additional complexity for investors.
Structural Shifts in Key Sectors
The seminar also explored the significant shifts underway within several major sectors. Three areas in particular are drawing increasing attention from investors.
AI and Technology
The surge in artificial intelligence related capital expenditure is becoming one of the most powerful investment forces of this cycle. Technology companies are committing unprecedented spending on infrastructure, data centres and hardware. While this represents an enormous opportunity, Jeff noted that the focus is increasingly turning toward return on invested capital rather than growth for its own sake. Understanding how these investments translate into sustainable earnings will be a central theme for 2026.
Energy and Resources
Energy markets have shown notable volatility in recent years. Looking ahead, the expectation is for relatively soft energy prices, although geopolitical events could still intervene. Meanwhile, the world’s accelerating demand for electricity and data is increasing pressure on power grids. This links directly to the need for more copper and other essential materials. Mining, materials and energy infrastructure are becoming strategic considerations for long term portfolio construction.
Defence and Geopolitics
Rising geopolitical uncertainty has contributed to increased defence spending around the world. This shift is now being reflected in budgets, supply chains and long-term planning. The sector is drawing more attention from investors who are looking to understand both the risks and the potential opportunities associated with this changing landscape.
Navigating the Year Ahead: Portfolio Considerations for 2026
Jeff’s outlook for 2026 emphasised the importance of flexibility, selectivity and awareness of policy transitions. While the macro environment is steadier than it was two years ago, it is far from settled.
Several key considerations came to the forefront:
- Central banks have scope to cut rates further, although any resurgence in inflation could prompt them to pause.
- Long term interest rates may remain elevated, which makes duration risk a factor to monitor carefully.
- Global defence spending, AI related investments and energy system upgrades are likely to continue driving capital flows.
- Trade policy uncertainty, especially in the U.S., could affect sectors unevenly and may create new winners and losers.
- China appears poised to introduce additional fiscal stimulus to support growth.
- Developments in the Russia–Ukraine conflict and U.S. political dynamics may also influence market sentiment.
In this environment, investment allocation becomes a question of balance. Themes such as energy, defence, mining and technology offer long term potential, while caution remains warranted for areas that are highly sensitive to interest rates. Banks and other financials also present selective opportunities as yield curves shift.

Why Events Like This Matter
Our annual seminar is more than an opportunity to present data. It is a chance to bring people together to make sense of an environment that is both changing and full of possibility. These conversations help ensure that clients and partners stay informed, confident and equipped to make thoughtful decisions, even when conditions are uncertain.
The insights shared by Jeff and the discussions among attendees reinforced the value of stepping back to see the broader picture. Understanding how macro trends filter down into specific sectors, regions and portfolio strategies is essential for navigating the year ahead.
We would like to thank everyone who joined us for the event. Your questions, perspectives and contributions made the session both insightful and enjoyable. We look forward to continuing the dialogue through 2026 and beyond.
The price and value of investments and any income that might accrue may fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed. You may not get back the amount of your original investment.
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Hear more from the Oakglen experts
Our investment team continue to provide interesting and informative content to help keep you in the loop on recent global news and market trends. See below for some key highlights from around the world which some of the investment management team have recently covered:
Read more:
- November 2025 Investment Summary
Jeff Brummette, Chief Investment Officer
- Q3 2025: Discretionary Investment Management Service Update
Myles Renouf, Senior Investment Manager
- Beyond the Parade: China’s Silent Arsenal, the Doctrine of Unrestricted War and its potential implications on the West
William Lamond, Investment Director and Nigel Smith, Business Developement Executive
You can read other articles from the team on our News & Insights page.
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