In 2025, capital markets and investor relations crossed several structural inflection points. These three decks capture what we identified early, where our frameworks proved right, and where we believe the next advantages are still forming as we move into 2026.
WHAT WE SAW EARLY
Five calls we made at the beginning of 2025 and how they ultimately played out across markets and issuer behavior. These include the evolution of guidance amid tariff uncertainty, the return of inflation risk to equity narratives, the emergence of 24-hour trading, faster and more continuous valuation dynamics, and IR’s shift into a more strategic, C-suite–level function.
Read the full deck: What We Saw Early in 2025
WHAT WE GOT RIGHT
Three frameworks aligned closely with how sophisticated investors and leading IR teams actually operated in 2025. They centered on volatility-adjusted conviction curves, scenario-based valuation mapping across macro regimes, and clear, disciplined communication when forecasts mattered less than decision logic and leadership.
Read the full deck: What We Got Right in 2025
WHERE WE’RE STILL AHEAD OF THE CURVE
Not every thesis is validated in year one. This section outlines three areas where infrastructure and behavior are still catching up, but momentum is building: the rise of all-source sentiment intelligence for issuers, the institutionalization of valuation as an operating system rather than a static model, and the uneven but real transformation driven by extended-hours and continuous trading.
Read the full deck: Where We’re Still Ahead of the Curve
About Breakwater Capital Markets
Breakwater Capital Markets is the global capital markets advisory practice of Breakwater Strategy. The firm delivers proprietary solutions for boards, C-suite leaders, and investor relations organizations facing complex strategic, financial, and market environments. Breakwater combines deep capital markets insight with strategic advisory to help clients shape valuation outcomes, command investor confidence, and lead with resilience.
Media Contact:
Maureen Hansen
maureen@breakwaterstrategy.com