6 Investment Themes and Sectors to Watch in 2026

Strong results for equities and solid fixed income returns were the features of another favourable year for global financial markets, but can investors expect more of the same in 2026? This is Inside Perspectives "Shorts", a special edition podcast highlighting some of the themes and sectors that we believe will play a part in how the new year unfolds. Hosted By:DP: David Pett, Content Editor & Producer, Inside Perspectives: An AGF Podcast Series Guests: Grace Huang, Senior Analyst, AGF Investments Ben Baldasaro, Fixed Income Associate, AGF Investments John Kratochwil, Senior Analyst, AGF Investments Pulkit Sabharwal, Analyst, AGF Investments Ling Han, Analyst, AGF Investments Marissa Heinze, Fixed Income Associate, AGF Investments Renato Monzon, Analyst, AGF Investments Abhishek Ashok, Analyst, AGF Investments Henry Kwok, Senior Analyst, AGF Investments   Chapter 1: Artificial Intelligence Starts at 00:39 Artificial intelligence has been the investment theme of choice for investors in recent years, but heading into 2026, some investors believe the risk of a correction is growing. AGF Investments analysts Grace Huang and Ben Baldasaro talk about navigating potential opportunities as the AI theme continues to evolve in the new year.   Chapter 2: Gold Starts at 05:09 Gold raised to new all time highs in 2025, and seems to be on the radar of almost every investor heading into the New Year. AGF Investments analyst John Kratochwil talks about what's fuelling the momentum and whether it's fair to expect the rally to continue.    Chapter 3: Energy Starts at 09:24 Energy stocks were decidedly unloved in 2025, primarily as oil prices fell on oversupply fears and tariff induced threats of a weakening economy. AGF Investments analyst Pulkit Sabharwal talks about what could turn the tide in 2026.    Chapter 4: Healthcare Starts at 14:02 The health care sector was beset by more policy uncertainty in 2025. AGF Investments analysts Ling Han and Marissa Heinze talk about why it may be set for a recovery in 2026.    Chapter 5: Defense Starts at 18:52 In sports it's often said that a good offense is a good defense. But is the same now true in equity markets? AGF Investments analyst Renato Monzon discusses why the appetite for defense stocks is expected to grow in 2026.    Chapter 6: Consumer Staples and Discretionary Starts at 22:03 The U.S. consumer is anything but easy to define these days. AGF investments analysts Abhishek Ashok and Henry Kwok discuss how dynamic consumption trends are impacting both consumer staples and consumer discretionary stocks.