The modest rebound in 2025 sales to $59.6 billion, driven by a 9% surge in public auction results and renewed high-end dealer confidence after two years of contraction, underpins the near-even trader consensus around the $65 billion threshold for 2026. Auction houses posted strong second-half gains from single-owner collections and improved sell-through rates, while broader dealer turnover edged up 2%. Key swing factors include sustained economic stability, continued momentum in major seasonal auctions, and collector sentiment surveys showing increased optimism for growth. Reaching the mark would require roughly 9% expansion from last year’s total, a pace supported by recent trends but far from assured given uneven mid-market performance and geopolitical uncertainties.