The Road Ahead: Economic Trends Shaping Markets

At the 2026 SIFMA Operations Conference & Exhibition, Steve Liesman, Scott Anderson, and Lindsey Piegza discussed the economic forces shaping global markets and the outlook for growth, inflation, interest rates, and investor sentiment. Drawing on their expertise in economic analysis and financial markets, the panel will examined the key indicators driving market performance and what they signal for the months ahead. They also examined where markets may be misreading the signals—from inflation persistence and monetary policy shifts to geopolitical risk—and what those dynamics could mean for volatility, liquidity, and investor behavior in the months ahead. Moderator Steve Liesman Senior Economics Reporter CNBC Panelists Scott Anderson Chief U.S. Economist and Managing Director BMO Dr. Lindsey Piezga, Ph.D. Managing Director, Chief Economist Stifel