A new year brings renewed perspective and opportunity. As we step into 2026, we are pleased to share insights designed to help you move forward with confidence and clarity.
In this newsletter, you will find LPL Research’s 2026 Market Outlook, important tax considerations, and key schedules as you prepare for the 2025 filing year, and a helpful video on how to locate your tax documents in Account View. Also included is a collage of photos featuring moments shared with clients and friends, along with the charities and sponsorships we supported in 2025, reflecting our pride in supporting the community. Finally, Greg shares his thoughts as we head into 2026—funny, honest, and all his own.
Let us step into 2026 with clarity, momentum, and purpose.
January 2026
Capital Markets
2026 Outlook - The Policy Engine
We are pleased to present LPL Research's Outlook 2026: The Policy Engine. Their annual update offers a thorough analysis of the economy and markets, highlighting potential implications for you. We are pleased to bring you a few of the key highlights today.
The year 2025 offered a clear illustration of today’s prevailing market regime — one that has been shaped less by traditional fundamentals and business cycle dynamics and more by fiscal and monetary policy. While policy has always influenced markets, its role has increasingly grown. What does this mean as we look ahead to 2026?
In an environment where policy decisions are one of the most powerful forces steering market direction, LPL Research believes patience is essential. Avoid overreacting to short-term sentiment swings, as policy- and momentum-driven markets tend to produce sharp price fluctuations — which can challenge our behavioral biases. We saw this in 2025, when stock prices swung from policy-induced lows to momentum-driven highs.
The good news: LPL Research anticipates policy will remain a net tailwind for markets in 2026. Short term interest rates are likely to continue easing as economic growth moderates and inflation stays contained. Corporate earnings may provide support, while core bonds quietly offer value (and should benefit from a more dovish Federal Reserve). In addition, given correlations can spike in policy-driven markets, investors may want to consider non-correlated alternative investments as part of a diversified approach.
Several key themes will likely continue shaping the landscape in 2026. Equity markets should remain resilient but vulnerable to volatility, while a fragmented economic backdrop limits clear trends in bonds. Policy decisions in Washington will remain a dominant force, influencing sentiment. The post-pandemic cycle is still distorted, with growth steady yet uneven, inflation persistently above target, and labor markets gradually softening. Add to this the effects of massive fiscal spending, an AI-driven capital investment boom, and more, and the result is an environment that defies traditional patterns. In this setting, diversification and agility are critical.
These are just some of the insights you will find in Outlook 2026: The Policy Engine. To get more, including considerations and potential action steps we can discuss, visit go.lpl.com/investoroutlook
You can also join us for a webinar on January 13 at noon, with guest speaker Jeffrey Buchbinder, LPL Chief Strategist and key contributor to LPL Research's perspective on the stock market. He will be providing an overview of the 2026 Outlook. To register, scroll to the Upcoming Events section below.
Accessing Your LPL Tax Documents: How to View, Download, and Prepare for Tax Season
Our video tutorial, led by Sabrina Almodovar, VP of Client Services, demonstrates how to locate and download your LPL Tax Statements in Account View. Please note that tax document delivery timelines vary based on the types of accounts and investments you hold. Consolidated 1099 tax statements will be released in multiple waves, beginning January 17, 2026, and continuing through March 11, 2026. Reach out to our team at Clients@PlumTreeFinancial.com with any questions.
For some additional tax season guidance, click on the downloadable links below:
As we look back on 2025, we are especially grateful for the opportunity to give back to the communities we serve and to strengthen the relationships that matter most. This year, we shared a collection of fun photos featuring moments with clients, friends, and family, celebrating the connections that make our work so meaningful. Supporting meaningful causes remains an important part of who we are, and 2025 allowed us to deepen our commitment to community involvement, charitable partnerships, and the many people we were fortunate to spend time with along the way.
Throughout the year, PlumTree Financial had the honor of partnering with and supporting outstanding organizations and charities whose missions make a lasting difference. We are proud to stand alongside these organizations and the friends who share in this commitment, and we look forward to continuing this important work in the year ahead.
Plum Picks: Where Petals Meet Passports
2026 Plans, Goals, and a Little Humor—Greg Goes First!
The Plums are ready to share their plans, goals, thoughts, and aspirations for 2026—sometimes serious, sometimes funny. Greg goes first, and we will reveal which Plum takes the spotlight next in February!
Upcoming Events
January 13, 2026 | 12pm EST
LPL Research Market Outlook 2025
Get ready for our 2026 Market Outlook Presentation — a forward-looking discussion on what is next for the markets, the economy, and your investment strategies.
The Markets: Where have they been? Where are they now? Where do we think they are going?
Please join us for another informative webinar with returning guest speaker, Mark Peterson, the author of the popular “Student of the Market” monthly publication that is distributed widely to advisors across the country.
Your January financial insights are just a click away. Follow us to stay ahead.
Nest Egg - The phrase dates back several centuries and comes from farming practices. Farmers would place a real or artificial egg in a hen’s nest to encourage the hen to continue laying eggs. That egg was not meant to be used or eaten but served as a foundation for future production. Over time, the term became a metaphor for money that is deliberately saved and preserved to provide ongoing financial security.
By the 18th and 19th centuries, “nest egg” was commonly used in English to describe personal savings, particularly money kept untouched to ensure stability, growth, and protection against hardship.
In our December 2025 newsletter, the authors of the book Being Relational were incorrectly identified. The correct authors are Louise Phipps Senft and William Senft. We apologize for the oversight.
Disclosures
LPL Research's Outlook 2026: The Policy Engine
This material is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. There is no assurance that the views or strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or will yield positive outcomes. Investing involves risks including possible loss of principal. Any economic forecasts set forth may not develop as predicted and are subject to change.
References to markets, asset classes, and sectors are generally regarding the corresponding market index. Indexes are unmanaged statistical composites and cannot be invested into directly. Index performance is not indicative of the performance of any investment and do not reflect fees, expenses, or sales charges. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results.
There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns or outperform a non-diversified portfolio.
Diversification does not protect against market risk.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Asset allocation does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss.
This research material was prepared by LPL Financial, LLC.
Not Insured by FDIC/NCUA or Any Other Government Agency
Not Bank/Credit Union Guaranteed
Not Bank/Credit Union Deposits or Obligations
May Lose Value
RES-0006041-0925 | For Public Use | Tracking #830455 | #830456 (Exp. 12/2026)
Tax Season Guide Investor Edition, 2025-2026,
This material was prepared by LPL Financial, LLC.
Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer (member FINRA/SIPC). Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates. To the extent you are receiving investment advice from a separately registered independent investment advisor that is not an LPL affiliate, please note LPL makes no representation with respect to such entity.
Tracking ID: 827518
Not Insured by FDIC/NCUA or Any Other Government Agency
Not Bank/Credit Union Guaranteed
Not Bank/Credit Union Deposits or Obligations
May Lose Value
2025-2026 Tax Guide | Investor Edition
This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax
professional.
Quick View Tax Guide, 2025-2026
This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax or legal advice. We suggest that you
discuss your specific situation with a qualified tax or legal advisor.
This material was prepared by PGI Partners, Inc. on behalf of LPL Financial, LLC.
Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker-
dealer (member FINRA/SIPC). Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates. To the extent you are
receiving investment advice from a separately registered independent investment advisor that is not an LPL affiliate,
please note LPL makes no representation with respect to such entity.
Not Insured by FDIC/NCUA or
Any Other Government Agency
Not Bank/Credit Union
Guaranteed
Not Bank/Credit Union
Deposits or Obligations May Lose Value
For public use.
Member FINRA/SIPC.
Tracking #831272 (Exp. 01/2028)
Securities and Advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. Insurance products offered through LPL Financial or its licensed affiliates.
All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, PlumTree Financial makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy.
