The International Monetary Fund is set to release its April 2026 World Economic Outlook, projecting global growth at 3.3% for 2026 and 3.2% for 2027. This represents a slight increase from October 2025 forecasts, driven by technology investment, fiscal support, and adaptable private sectors. However, the ongoing Middle East conflict poses significant risks, creating the largest energy supply shock on record. KKR has revised down its US GDP forecasts for 2026 to 2.0% from 2.5%, attributing this to higher energy prices. Major central banks are maintaining steady interest rates due to increased uncertainty. Despite these challenges, global markets showed resilience, with the Nasdaq climbing 1.16% and the S&P 500 gaining 0.72% on April 1.