The IMF projects global GDP growth of 3.3% in 2026, supported by corporate investment in digital infrastructure. In the US, nonfarm payrolls increased by 130,000 in January, with an unchanged unemployment rate of 4.3%. The labor force participation rate was 62.5%, indicating stable employment.

The semiconductor industry is expected to reach $975 billion in annual sales in 2026, driven by an AI infrastructure boom. AI-linked infrastructure and healthcare innovation are poised for growth in mid-2026, offering earnings visibility and structural support.

Technology sectors like AI infrastructure and semiconductors are expected to outperform the market in 2026. Companies like NVIDIA and Taiwan Semiconductor are poised for growth, with the semiconductor industry projected to approach $1 trillion in sales.

Industrials, including aerospace, defense, and electrification, are supported by sustained defense spending and commercial aerospace backlog strength. Companies like Lockheed Martin and RTX have substantial backlogs, while electrification investments provide earnings support heading into mid-2026.

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Read more at Nasdaq: Tech Boom & Defense Backlogs: 2 Sectors Poised to Outperform in 2026