Merrill Perspectives

The pandemic is accelerating a number of global trends—from the growing prevalence of technology to changes in how and where we source the food we eat. Our experts fast forward to 2022 and explore the many ways the economy, the markets and our lives could be dramatically different.

The pandemic is accelerating a number of global trends—from the growing prevalence of technology to changes in how and where we source the food we eat. Our experts fast forward to 2022 and explore the many ways the economy, the markets and our lives could be dramatically different.

As the economy gradually begins to reopen, there are still many questions about what shape the recovery will take. Our experts share insights into the signs they're watching for this year and in 2021—and why they're finding some surprising reasons for optimism.

The pandemic has disrupted the economy and caused unprecedented market volatility. We take a look at what it all means for your investments and financial life.

The pandemic has disrupted the economy and caused unprecedented market volatility. We take a look at what it all means for your investments and financial life.

What will life be like in the next decade? Our hosts peer into the future and find reason for optimism in the new—and often surprising—trends that could transform the markets, the economy, and our lives in the years ahead.

The smartphone in your hand is assembled from a universe of rare elements, sophisticated circuits and software—mostly in China. But it's not who puts it together, it's who makes the smartphone "smart" that will drive the future of the global economy. Find out why that matters to all of us.

Could someone alive today actually live to be 1,000 years old? Thanks to medical and technological breakthroughs, that could be possible someday. But living longer—even if it's only to, say, 150—comes with financial implications for how we plan and invest for our futures.

From our social media accounts to our medical records, much of our most personal information is available online. But who has access to it, and how can we protect ourselves from the growing threat of cyber crime? We explore the challenges and offer guidance for keeping our digital lives safe.

Women have made enormous economic and social gains in recent years. We look at the progress they've made, where there's room for growth and how the unique financial journeys many women travel require a different approach to saving, investing and planning for the future.