Brian Garrett, head of the equity execution team at Goldman Sachs, shares his expertise on the current market landscape. He highlights the increasing dispersion among S&P stocks, suggesting that investors can leverage this volatility for strategic stock selection. The conversation also delves into fixed income opportunities amidst low volatility and the impact of economic indicators on market sentiment. With a focus on finding chances in a trickier market, Garrett offers valuable insights for navigating these complexities.
The market is now characterized by increased dispersion, creating a vital environment for stock-pickers seeking individual investment opportunities.
Longer-duration fixed income investments are becoming increasingly attractive due to their competitive yields, highlighting the shift from historical low volatility.
Deep dives
Market Reaction to Tariffs
The recent market response to tariffs reflects a mix of unpredictability and volatility predominantly influenced by geopolitical negotiations. The swift engagement from clients and subsequent market turbulence indicated that the magnitude of the tariffs caught many off guard, especially with the unexpected retraction of tariffs against Mexico and Canada shortly after their announcement. As market participants adapted to these fluctuations, discrepancies emerged between equity and foreign exchange markets, highlighting the varying impacts of such news. Over time, it’s anticipated that the shock from these announcements will decrease as the market adjusts to frequent hawkish headlines followed by more moderate implementations.
Investment Strategies in a Volatile Environment
In the current volatile market landscape, there is a distinct shift toward a stock-picker's environment, emphasizing the importance of discerning individual stock opportunities rather than following broad trends. Analysts noted the significant dispersion in stock performances, with the average individual stock moving up to three times more than the overall index, indicating diverse underlying factors affecting different sectors. The discussion also highlighted the appeal of longer-duration fixed income investments, particularly due to the attractive yields now available compared to historical averages. Using the rule of 72, the importance of these yields underscores the potential for compounding and risk-adjusted returns in a market that has transitioned from prolonged low volatility.
After a year of smooth sailing for US stocks, the word of 2025 has been “dispersion.” How can investors take advantage of this more complicated environment? Brian Garrett, head of the equity execution team on the Cross Asset Sales desk in Goldman Sachs Global Banking & Markets, discusses with Chris Hussey.