S&P 500 Quarterly Net Profit Margin (ex. Financials & Utilities) Corporate America is delivering solid profits, with margins expected to reach 15% in the third quarter of 2026. For investors hoping the rally has further to run, that strength offers strong support. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
GS Financial Conditions Index U.S. financial conditions excluding equities have tightened meaningfully, but the broader backdrop remains accommodative and is still supporting growth rather than restraining activity. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Global Financial Tightness Indicator vs. ISM Manufacturing PMI SA Tighter financial conditions are starting to hit manufacturing sentiment and order flow. If the squeeze persists, the ISM Manufacturing PMI could weaken further, adding pressure to risk assets. Image: Bloomberg
Foreign Holding of U.S. Financial Assets: Allocation to Equities Foreign investors are unusually crowded into U.S. stocks. What would happen if they all rushed for the exits? Image: Topdown Charts
Equities, Cash and Real Estate as % of U.S. Household Net Financial Wealth Stocks have overtaken real estate as the bigger store of household wealth in the U.S., and that has become a meaningful tailwind for spending. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Financials Group Positioning Financials have improved in positioning, but they still sit in the 23rd percentile, leaving room for more risk-taking. Fundamentals are steady, so the caution may still be a bit overdone. Image: Deutsche Bank Asset Allocation
S&P 500 CAPE Ratio vs. U.S. Households Holding of Equities % Total Financial Assets When everyone is piled into equities and valuations are stretched, there isn’t much cushion left. History doesn’t say a crash has to follow, but it does show that markets priced for perfection rarely handle surprises well. Image: Topdown Charts
Bloomberg U.S. Financial Conditions Index The Bloomberg U.S. Financial Conditions Index is at one of its most accommodative levels in years, a friendly setup for borrowing, fund-raising and broader risk appetite. Image: Deutsche Bank
S&P 500 Trailing 4-Quarter Net Profit Margin (Ex. Financials) With S&P 500 profit margins holding near 13% and rates still low, equity valuations have more room to breathe. Goldman Sachs now expects 7% annual returns over the coming decade, lifting its long‑term call from 3% back in 2024. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
U.S. Financial Conditions Index U.S. financial conditions have eased since March, pointing to a more growth‑friendly backdrop. Looser conditions typically give near‑term GDP a lift. Image: Deutsche Bank Research
Change in Global Financial Conditions Following 8 Largest Geopolitical Risk Shocks in the Middle East Even though past Middle East conflicts haven’t consistently tightened financial conditions, the global FCI is up 31bp. Sustained at this level, the squeeze could trim global GDP growth by roughly 0.3pp over the next year. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment…