Global Research Unlocked

What if one of the market's most widely followed growth benchmarks is really just a bet on a few dozen stocks? This week, we explore rising concentration within major equity indices, how Russell reconstitution is reshaping portfolios, and where opportunities could emerge if market leadership broadens beyond Big Tech.  We also examine an unlikely scarcity story: hazardous waste. With disposal capacity constrained for decades, critical waste infrastructure operators are benefiting from increasingly attractive industry dynamics. Finally, we discuss recent cracks in the AI trade as weakness spreads into high yield credit. We explore pressure on AI-linked data center bonds, the impact of new supply, and whether recent volatility may create opportunities for investors.

 

"Bank of America" and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names for the global banking businesses and global markets businesses (which includes BofA Global Research) of Bank of America Corporation. Lending, derivatives, and other commercial banking activities are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

Please join Sphia Salim for a discussion with the global rates team on the implications of all the central bank decisions taken this week. We will review the exceptionally uncertain Fed meeting and debate the outlook for 2y & 10y UST yields. We will also discuss the takeaways from the guidance provided by the BoE and BoJ. The call took place on Friday, July 31st, 2026.

 

"Bank of America" and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names for the global banking businesses and global markets businesses (which includes BofA Global Research) of Bank of America Corporation. Lending, derivatives, and other commercial banking activities are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

Unlocking new markets, from broadband to the moon

The SpaceX IPO has renewed investor interest in the rapidly evolving space economy. But to understand the opportunity that space may present requires an understanding of launch costs and to what extent they can continue to decline. US Aerospace and Defense analyst Ron Epstein explains the economics underpinning the next phase of space development. Ron discusses how advances in rockets have already reduced launch costs from roughly $20,000 per kilogram to as little as $1,000-$2,000, with the potential to fall toward $100 per kilogram. The conversation explores the hurdles to and promise of further declines in costs, the importance of reusability and how dramatically lower launch costs, if achieved, could unlock new markets-from global broadband and orbital data centers to next-generation defense, space manufacturing, and lunar resource development. We also discuss some of the unique challenges space-based data centers-launch costs matter but so do cooling solutions.

 

"Bank of America" and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names for the global banking businesses and global markets businesses (which includes BofA Global Research) of Bank of America Corporation. Lending, derivatives, and other commercial banking activities are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

This week on Signals & Noise, Mark Cabana, co-head of Global Rates Strategy, breaks down the highly anticipated July FOMC meeting, explaining why markets face unusual uncertainty over the Fed's next move. He discusses the case for both holding rates steady and raising them and examines what a surprise hike could mean for Treasury yields, inflation expectations, and financial markets.

 

"Bank of America" and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names for the global banking businesses and global markets businesses (which includes BofA Global Research) of Bank of America Corporation. Lending, derivatives, and other commercial banking activities are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

This week on Must Read Research, we look back at prior semiconductor selloffs for clues on what may come next and revisit our recent Transforming World Conference for an understanding of the breakthroughs and challenges AI may create tomorrow. Power remains a key constraint for the technology, creating opportunities for traditional oil & gas companies.  We also look at emerging market debt where asset class growth and historical returns should impress even AI investors. 

 

"Bank of America" and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names for the global banking businesses and global markets businesses (which includes BofA Global Research) of Bank of America Corporation. Lending, derivatives, and other commercial banking activities are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.