Equity Share of Household Financial Assets Cultural attitudes towards savings, structural differences in pension systems, and a preference for liquidity contribute to lower stock ownership rates among European households compared to their U.S. counterparts. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
% of Large-Cap Mutual Funds Outperforming their Benchmarks 66% of large-cap mutual funds have underperformed their benchmarks year-to-date, which is concerning for investors seeking above-average returns from these funds. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Brent Crude Oil Price Forecast Goldman Sachs has lowered its forecast for Brent crude oil prices, projecting a trading range of $70 to $85 per barrel until the end of 2025, due to stable OPEC inventories, strong U.S. production, and weak demand from China. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Short Interest as % of Market Capitalization S&P 500 Median The median short interest in the S&P 500 has fallen to 1.8%, a relatively low figure suggesting that market participants are largely optimistic or, at least, not significantly bearish regarding its future performance. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
S&P 500 vs. U.S. Dollar Index A recovery in risk sentiment and higher equity prices has coincided with a weakening of the U.S. dollar, suggesting that investors are shifting their preferences towards riskier assets. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Performance of Gold and Fed Cutting Cycles Federal Reserve interest rate cuts are often perceived as favorable for gold prices, particularly during periods of economic downturn. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Hedge Fund and Mutual Fund Equity Exposure Mutual funds have notably increased equity allocations since 2023, reflecting a growing confidence in the stock market’s long-term potential despite ongoing volatility. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Earnings Sentiment (Analyst Upgrades Minus Downgrades Across Markets) Earnings sentiment in the S&P 500 is steadily improving, potentially paving the way for market growth. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Active vs. Passive Fund Flows While active equity funds have struggled, passive equity flows have proven resilient, continuing to show positive trends despite market fluctuations. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Median S&P 500 Stock Short Interest as % of Market Capitalization The S&P 500’s median short interest level is low at 1.8%, suggesting that market participants are largely optimistic or, at least, not significantly bearish regarding its future performance. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research