S&P 500 Quarterly Net Profit Margin (ex. Financials & Utilities) Corporate America is minting profits like never before, and with margins set to stretch even further into 2026, the bullish narrative remains intact. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
U.S. Financial Sector’s Profit vs. Labour Demand With so much of finance built on information processing, the sector may soon stand as the clearest example of how AI can lift earnings without lifting headcount. Image: Deutsche Bank
Cash Allocation by Non-Bank Investors Globally “Cash is king” is starting to sound like a relic. Non-bank investors globally are holding less cash than at any time since at least 1999, leaving financial markets exposed to sudden shocks. Image: J.P. Morgan
Silver to Oil Ratio Silver’s rally has gone so far that an ounce can now buy a barrel of oil. It’s a rare moment that may not last if crude recovers or silver takes a breather after parabolic gains. Image: Gavekal, Macrobond
Performance for Gold Gold often starts the year strong, with January usually one of its best months as post-holiday portfolio adjustments and fresh investment flows boost demand. Image: Deutsche Bank
5-Year Turnover of S&P 500 Constituents In a typical five-year stretch, about 20% of S&P 500 members turn over, a reminder of how tough it is to stay in the game for the long haul. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Components of S&P 500 Total Return Corporate profits carried much of the load for the S&P 500 in 2025, powering most of the index’s gains. In 2026, earnings look set to stay behind the wheel, steering another year of momentum. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
S&P 500 – Which Will Perform Best in 2026? More portfolio managers see the “S&P 493” gaining ground on the Magnificent 7 this year, with fundamentals improving and valuation spreads closing amid worries over index concentration. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Change in Consensus EPS The market is still a Big Tech story. Earnings estimates for 2026 keep climbing for the tech giants, while the rest of the S&P 493 struggles to keep up. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Distribution of 1-Year S&P 500 Returns in Non-Recession Years Double‑digit losses are a rarity outside recessions, just 5% of the time. But when growth kicks in, the S&P 500 usually surges, notching double-digit gains nearly 70% of the time and ending higher in 85% of those years. Image: Carson Investment Research
MSCI Equity Indexes, Total Return in US$ America’s equity outperformance topped out in 2022. U.S. growth still looks solid, but lofty valuations suggest tougher performance ahead, arguing for a more balanced global allocation in 2026. Image: Gavekal, Macrobond