Viewpoints

Europe’s CRE market recovery conditions are in place—a stable interest rate outlook, steady property pricing, improved financing access and positive rental growth prospects. Whether the market recovery gains traction in 2026 will depend on wider geopolitical and economic events.

The recovery is supported by solid fundamentals, but structural changes are putting greater emphasis on assets and locations that can benefit from—or remain insulated against—economic shifts and a narrower set of demand drivers.

High yield enters 2026 on solid footing, but tight valuations, shifting technicals, and a more uneven macro backdrop make selective positioning essential.

Hong Kong and China stock markets are nearing a pivotal moment, driven by secular trends, policy support and evolving global dynamics. The key investment themes of the region are technological innovation, sectoral transformation, consumer opportunity and market structure.

For global real estate markets, 2026 demands active selection and granular analysis. In this roundtable, Barings and Artemis experts from the U.S., Europe, and Asia Pacific share insights on sector trends and explore where risks and opportunities are emerging across regions.

Despite policy shifts and global uncertainty, markets remain in a ‘Goldilocks’ state—resilient growth without recession. Positive returns remain across major asset classes, while AI-driven investment and structural megatrends signal opportunity.

Tight spreads meet elevated all‑in yields as policy uncertainty, AI capex, and uneven growth set the stage. We see selective opportunities across High Yield, CLOs, IG Credit, and EM Debt—with 2026 shaping up as a year for rigorous credit picking.

Direct lending isn’t fading—it’s evolving. In this Q&A, Orla Walsh shares her insights on growth, competition, and what disciplined managers need to know as the market matures.

The market is shifting toward one where value is led by real estate fundamentals, but it's important to “spend time in the tails” as structural changes introduce a broader range of potential outcomes.