Marsh states that an accelerating geopolitical transition is creating complexity across global trade, conflict, finance, and digital infrastructure. The Political Risk Report 2026 indicates that this period of transition will persist in the near term as global geopolitical fractures continue to impact these sectors. In 2025, more than 80 per cent of S&P 500 firms identified geopolitical uncertainty as a factor affecting financial performance. Data from the report shows that while 89 per cent of NYSE CEOs identify geopolitics as a short-term risk, approximately one in 10 view it as an opportunity for innovation or differentiation. Angela Duca, global head of credit specialties at Marsh Risk, says: “This report equips organisations to turn geopolitical challenges into opportunities with informed risk management and strategic planning.” The report uses data from the World Risk Review platform, which monitors economic, political, and security risk trends across 197 countries. It notes that the number of worldwide conflicts has doubled since 2005, contributing to a landscape characterised by economic contestation and regulatory fragmentation. The findings indicate that businesses must incorporate geopolitical risk intelligence into strategic planning to avoid decision paralysis. The report also addresses the implications of the rise of non-bank financial institutions and increasing political scrutiny of digital infrastructure, providing insights to manage risks in a changing environment.
