RenMac closes out 2025 by reflecting on the year’s biggest macro, market, and political surprises as the team looks ahead to early 2026. deGraaf explains why seasonality and easing inflation remain underappreciated tailwinds, Dutta highlights the growing disconnect between strong GDP prints and weakening income and warns that unemployment — not growth — will drive the next phase of the cycle. And Pavlick breaks down why internal Republican divisions and the unresolved Fed chair search matter heading into midterms. The team also discusses consumer confidence, gold and metals strength, and late-year market positioning.