Standard Chartered's H2 2026 global markets outlook shifts to a risk-on stance for China, recommending overweight positions in technology and communication services on rising domestic chip self-sufficiency and continued AI commercialization. Healthcare is downgraded to neutral due to limited earnings visibility; consumer staples cut to underweight for similar reasons. Utilities are raised to neutral on improving power demand and policy support. Globally, the bank says investors in H2 2026 will f

Standard Chartered's H2 2026 global markets outlook shifts to a risk-on stance for China, recommending overweight positions in technology and communication services on rising domestic chip self-sufficiency and continued AI commercialization. Healthcare is downgraded to neutral due to limited earnings visibility; consumer staples cut to underweight for similar reasons. Utilities are raised to neutral on improving power demand and policy support. Globally, the bank says investors in H2 2026 will face volatility from energy prices, equity issuance, investor positioning and central bank policy, and expects risk assets to remain supported under a macro soft landing.