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  • The Economy Is Likely to Reaccelerate in 2026

    Torsten Slok

    Apollo Chief Economist

    When the trade war started in March, the consensus began to revise down expectations for growth.

    But as trade deals were signed with different countries over the summer and into the fall, growth expectations have been revised up, see chart below.

    Looking ahead, growth is likely to reaccelerate in 2026, driven by lower trade war uncertainty, a lower dollar, and the positive effects of the One Big Beautiful Bill, which the CBO estimates will boost GDP growth by almost a full percentage point in 2026, mainly because of accelerated depreciation.

    2025 consensus GDP growth forecasts for the US and Europe
    Sources: Bloomberg, Apollo Chief Economist

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  • Most of Public Fixed Income Yielding Below 5%

    Torsten Slok

    Apollo Chief Economist

    Ninety percent of all public fixed income outstanding in the world trades at a yield below 5%, see chart below.

    90% of bonds outstanding in the world have a yield below 5%
    Sources: Bloomberg, Apollo Chief Economist

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  • India: Record High Buying of Gold ETFs

    Torsten Slok

    Apollo Chief Economist

    Inflows into gold ETFs in India in 2025 are on track to be triple the inflows seen in 2024, see chart below.

    India: Inflows to gold ETFs
    Note: 2025 data is annualized. Sources: World Gold Council, Apollo Chief Economist

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  • It Is a K-Shaped Economy for US Consumers

    Torsten Slok

    Apollo Chief Economist

    Higher-income households have seen their stock holdings rise and their home prices increase. At the same time, the cash flow received in fixed income, including private credit, is near the highest levels in decades.

    This strength of higher-income household balance sheets relative to lower-income balance sheets is the reason why consumer discretionary stocks in recent months have been outperforming consumer staples, see chart below.

    Consumer discretionary stocks outperforming consumer staples
    Sources: Bloomberg, Apollo Chief Economist

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  • Arguments for a Coming Rebound in the Economy

    Torsten Slok

    Apollo Chief Economist

    The arguments for a rebound in the economy over the coming quarters are that (1) Liberation Day was almost eight months ago, (2) fiscal and monetary policy are easy, and (3) easy financial conditions point to a reacceleration in the economy, see chart below.

    Easy financial conditions point to a reacceleration in the economy
    Sources: Bloomberg, Apollo Chief Economist

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  • About 5% of the US population is experiencing third-party collections, down from 14% during the GFC, see chart below.

    About 5% of the US population are experiencing third-party collections
    Sources: Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Macrobond, Apollo Chief Economist

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  • Chinese Exports Shifting from the US to Asia

    Torsten Slok

    Apollo Chief Economist

    Since the beginning of the year, Chinese exports to the US are down $75 billion and Chinese exports to Asia are up $150 billion. Chinese exports to Europe, Africa and Latin America are basically flat, see chart below.

    Chinese exports to Asia are up double the amount of the decline in Chinese exports to the US
    Sources: China General Administration of Customs (GAC), Macrobond, Apollo Chief Economist

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  • Median Age of All US Homebuyers: 59 Years

    Torsten Slok

    Apollo Chief Economist

    In 2010, the median age of all US homebuyers was 39 years old. Today, it is 59, see chart below.

    Median age of all US homebuyers: 59 years old
    Sources: National Association of Realtors, Apollo Chief Economist

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  • Inflation Rising

    Torsten Slok

    Apollo Chief Economist

    Looking at annualized month-over-month growth rates shows that 55% of items in the CPI basket are growing faster than 3%, see chart below. This is the reason why it is difficult for the Fed to cut interest rates in December.

    More than 50% of items in the CPI basket show at least a 3% price increase
    Sources: BLS, Apollo Chief Economist

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  • The average family in the US currently pays $6,850 annually for health insurance, and the average annual payment for employers is $20,143, see chart below.

    That is a total annual cost for health insurance per family of $26,993

    Health care premiums continue to rise both for employers and households
    Note: Family coverage refers to health insurance coverage for an employee and at least one family member (spouse and/or dependent children). Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation, Apollo Chief Economist

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