Goldman Sachs (GS)

Among the leaders in the M&A world. Under the Trump administration, M&A activity is way up due to less regulation. Impeccably well positioned to keep driving forward.

Core holding. Buying today for new clients. For his firm, have to see 10% annualized return over 5 years to justify holding or buying a stock. And this name fits. Stock's not as cheap as 5 years ago, so growth will be slower going forward.

One of the most senior US banks, a leader. Is more of an investment bank. 2025 was a great year for banks, give the IPO business and takeovers. 2026 should be as good or better with this activity. They report Thursday. A lot of runway ahead.

It reports Thursday. It should report excellent numbers, because activity in financial markets is unusually strong. GS's takeover business should be tremendous.

Banks stock PEs remains very cheap. GS at 17x PE. Is a huge player in M&A and IPOs.

GS is up 61% this year, and JPM 40%, better than the Mag 7. We're already seeing a broadening of the rally into financials and he expects 2026 to be a much better year for them. M&A plays perfectly into these names, and they don't trade at high PEs. Is very bullish these banks.

Doesn't see an effect. GS and the sector will continue to do well, because the yield curve is steepening. Is overweight this sector.

Doesn't see an effect. GS and the sector will continue to do well, because the yield curve is steepening. Is overweight this sector.

She trimmed this a few months ago when the quarter was great, but shares didn't move much. Is up 50% this year. The capital markets business is good, but is discounted. A steeper yield curve will help financials.

Up 42% this year. Revenue was +18% the last quarter, investment banking 42%, advisory 60%. Lower interest rates will only help.

Not impressed that they bought a private equity company. Shares reversed badly today. He holds a major position. Is concerned.

Global powerhouse in the financial space. Moving away from the consumer and more toward higher-margin asset management. Expected earnings growth of ~15%. Recovery in capital markets, investment banking volumes improving. 

Lower interest environment and more risk appetite out there. Potential policy tailwinds such as more deregulation and lower corporate taxes. Will see more share buybacks. Yield is 1.92%.

In terms of quality, hard to argue against JPM -- best of breed. GS is tops on the investment banking side. He's overweight US banks.

He's not a good trader. To paraphrase: "There are bull markets and bear markets, but at the end GS wins." We've seen that this quarter with respect to their trading profits. It's been a great way to play capital markets forever, and all the banks' capital markets divisions are doing well.

The capital markets banks are all performing really well. That tells you something about the rest of the market; if investors are focusing on these banks, then they must have a view that lots of deals will be done and that capital markets provide a good opportunity. He'd buy more.

Delivered a blow out quarter, top and bottom lines, thanks to their red-hot global banking and markets division. Investment banking is up 26% YOY. The return of M&A is a key driver.