Year in Review: Making Sense of 2025 and Planning for 2026

2025 brought plenty of market movement, mixed economic signals, and new questions for investors. With talk of recession and changing conditions across the globe, many people are wondering what it all means for their long-term plan.

Join Apollo Lupescu, PhD, Vice President at Dimensional Fund Advisors, for a practical Year in Review conversation on what drove markets this year and how to think about the road ahead as a long-term investor.

Key Takeaways

• 2025 in perspective - A clear look at what actually happened in markets this year and the forces that influenced returns.
• Economy and recession concerns - How the economy and financial markets interact, what a recession would and would not mean, and what long-term investors should focus on.
• “Is it different this time?” - How to approach uncertainty when current events feel unfamiliar, and what research suggests about staying disciplined through shifting conditions.
• Preparing for future downturns in retirement - Ideas for managing volatility and protecting withdrawals if you are retired or nearing retirement.
• Cash on the sidelines - How to evaluate whether to stay in cash, dollar-cost average, or reinvest more quickly, and the pros and cons of each approach.

Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Time: 5 PM EST, 2PM PST