If you’ve been searching for stock market predictions that actually make sense of what’s happening right now, you’ve come to the right place. As of mid-March 2026, investors are navigating a war with Iran, spiking oil prices, tariff whiplash from the Trump administration, and a Dow that has been swinging hundreds of points in a single session. The urge to move everything to cash right now is understandable.
But Stephanie Link, Chief Investment Strategist and Portfolio Manager at Hightower Advisors and a longtime CNBC contributor, says this is precisely the moment to stay the course.
“When people get scared, they want to run for the hills,” Link told HerMoney podcast host Jean Chatzky in a recent episode. “And that’s actually precisely what you don’t want to do.”
The Economy Is Stronger Than You Think
Jean Chatzky: We’ve got war, we’ve got oil, we’ve got the Dow swinging pretty violently. And for someone who’s been managing money through every kind of cycle for 30 years, what do you make of what you’re seeing right now?
Stephanie Link: I’ll tell you, it isn’t all bad. We in the economy are growing at about 2.5% in GDP. We are seeing mixed results for sure in the labor market, but we got some really good inflation data. It’s coming down, and it peaked at 9% back in the summer of 2022. It’s now at 2.5%. So we’re making progress. That’s good.
We got some data last week that is also supportive of the consumer, in terms of retail sales and wage growth. And obviously, we all have our eyes focused on war and oil. But the economy has been pretty darn resilient in the face of all of this.
If I told you we would have had Venezuela, SCOTUS, and the tariffs, the reversal of the tariffs, the unknowns of AI and private credit, and yet the S&P is flat on the year. The reason is that the economy is resilient. We can handle a lot.
Stephanie Link’s 2026 Stock Market Predictions: Where She Sees the Biggest Opportunities
So where is one of Wall Street’s most respected strategists actually putting money right now? Here’s her breakdown.
International stocks: While most investors are laser-focused on the U.S., Link sees compelling opportunities in markets that have sold off sharply. Her top three regions are Brazil, Japan, and India. Her recommendation for getting international exposure: ETFs, capped at no more than 10% of your total portfolio.
The AI infrastructure food chain: Link’s most compelling stock market prediction for the decade ahead centers not on AI companies themselves, but on everything the AI boom requires to function. The world currently has about 11,400 data centers. To support projected AI demand, that number may need to reach 25,000 to 30,000 by 2030. Think utilities, grid infrastructure, and the companies building and powering data centers.
Financials and housing: Link is bullish on the big six banks, which she believes will benefit substantially from deregulation and continue to take market share despite concerns about private credit. On housing, her prediction is straightforward: if mortgage rates fall sustainably below 6%, expect a meaningful housing cycle. The country has a shortage of roughly 4 million homes and enormous pent-up demand waiting to be unleashed.
Copper and cyclicals: If the economy continues to grow, cyclical companies and exposure to commodities make sense. She specifically calls out copper as a material she’s watching closely, alongside energy names she’d look to buy on pullbacks rather than chasing current strength.
Software: Despite widespread concern that AI will hollow out the software industry, Link thinks the fear is overblown. “I think this software concern that they’re all going out of business because of AI, I think that’s overdone,” she said. “I think there are some amazing opportunities in software.”
The Bottom Line
Jean Chatkzy: Based on everything that you have seen managing money through every kind of market cycle, what do you want the women listening to hear about their financial futures?
Stephanie Link: I want everyone to gain more knowledge and not be afraid to make mistakes. Everybody makes mistakes. It’s how you learn from those mistakes. But if you have the knowledge, you’re going to have the power. You’re going to have more confidence.
You might be a little scared. Money is a big thing. It’s important. But if you have the knowledge and you educate yourself and you surround yourself with people who are also doing the same thing, view it as a fun club to learn together and ask questions. Ask any kind of question. There are no dumb questions.
MORE ON HERMONEY:
- Are We In A Recession?
- The Stock Market is Not the Same as the Economy
- Ask Jean: Should I use my tax refund to build savings or chip away at my credit card debt?
Ready to take control of your financial future? Join InvestingFixx, Jean’s twice-monthly women-only investing club, where expert stock pickers bring ideas to the table, and a community of women learn and win together. Your first two classes are always free.
