2024 midyear outlook: building portfolios for a more volatile macroeconomic backdrop

As two of Europe's three largest economies head to the polls, what are markets telling us about the political landscape? Goldman Sachs Research's Sharon Bell and George Cole explain how France's looming parliamentary elections are affecting French stocks and bonds, while UK financial markets have been relatively stable ahead of the country's general election.

Goldman Sachs’ Christian Mueller-Glissmann and Alexandra Wilson-Elizondo discuss their outlooks for asset classes and portfolios heading into the second half of the year, as well as medium- and longer-term asset allocation shifts investors might make to accommodate a more dynamic macroeconomic backdrop.

The demand for power, driven in part by the rise of generative artificial intelligence, is set to grow to levels not seen in a generation. Goldman Sachs Research’s Carly Davenport, Alberto Gandolfi, and Brian Singer discuss the drivers behind their forecast of a surge in global power demand and the investments required to meet that demand.  Related articles on AI include AI is showing ‘very positive’ signs of eventually boosting GDP and productivity and Generative AI could raise global GDP by 7%. For more: Goldman Sachs Exchanges.

The Federal Reserve has historically led a relatively synchronized monetary policy cycle across the major economies, but this cycle seems to be shaping up differently. Goldman Sachs' Chief Economist and Head of Goldman Sachs Research Jan Hatzius, Peter Praet, former chief economist of the European Central Bank, and Maurice Obstfeld, former chief economist of the IMF, discuss the implications of central bank divergence for economies and markets. This episode explores the latest Top of Mind report, Central Bank Divergence: Room to Run?

On this episode of Goldman Sachs Exchanges, Goldman Sachs Research’s Alex Blostein joins moderator Allison Nathan to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the private equity industry. Nathan also speaks with Global Banking & Markets’ Mike Nickols and Gina Lytle who share their perspectives on the types of deals that are happening today.  For more, read Private Equity Inflection Point, a new report from Goldman Sachs Investment Banking, which explores the strategic and financing opportunities in the private equity industry.

After better-than-expected economic data kicking off the year, and a blistering start for the equity market, where does China go from here? Goldman Sachs Research’s Hui Shan and Kinger Lau discuss the evolution of China’s economy and capital markets.

Is it possible to have a positive impact through investing without giving up on returns? Brian Singer of Goldman Sachs Research and Greg Shell of Goldman Sachs Asset Management discuss the long-term trends shaping impact investing and the investment opportunities in the space.

Goldman Sachs Research's Jari Stehn joins Charlotte Keenan of the firm's Office of Corporate Engagement to discuss the UK economy’s unique economic challenges, its path forward, and the role that small businesses can play in bolstering growth. To learn how the UK’s small businesses could help support the UK economy, read Generation Growth: The Small Business Manifesto.

Recent weakness in US Treasury bond auctions have become a focal point for markets. Goldman Sachs’ Jonny Fine and Alec Phillips discuss the implications for markets, yields, and fiscal deficits. And if you want more insights from Goldman Sachs, make sure to visit GS.com and sign up for Briefings, a weekly newsletter from Goldman Sachs about trends spanning markets, industries, and the global economy.

The newest generation of GLP-1 drugs are being hailed by some as “miracle drugs” for the treatment of obesity. But GLP-1s are expensive, insurance coverage is limited, and not everyone with obesity can and or wants to take them. In this episode, which is based on Goldman Sachs Research’s latest Top of Mind report, obesity medicine physician Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford and Jonathan Gruber, professor of economics and chairman of the Economics Department at MIT, discuss how large the addressable market for GLP-1s actually is and the implications for US fiscal health.   If you want more insights from Goldman Sachs, make sure to visit GS.com and sign up for Briefings, a weekly newsletter from Goldman Sachs about trends spanning markets, industries, and the global economy.