Goldman Sachs Predicts Record M&A Activity in 2026
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 19 hours ago
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
- Strong M&A Activity: Goldman Sachs COO John Waldron stated at the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference that M&A activity in 2026 is on track to approach or breach the record set in 2021, indicating a robust market recovery and increased corporate confidence.
- Corporate-Led Market: Waldron highlighted that corporate-led M&A has surged approximately 62% year-over-year, while private equity activity has declined by 4%, marking a significant trend reversal as companies seek to expand their scale within their industries.
- Private Equity Potential: Although the future of private equity M&A remains uncertain, Waldron noted that private equity and venture capital firms hold $1 trillion in dry powder and $4 trillion in embedded portfolio valuations, suggesting that if these funds are deployed, M&A activity could accelerate significantly.
- Goldman's Leading Edge: Goldman Sachs boasts a substantial lead of nearly $300 billion in the M&A advisory league table, the largest lead ever recorded at this point in the year, which is expected to generate substantial fee income and further solidify its market position.
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Analyst Views on GS
Wall Street analysts forecast GS stock price to fall
12 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
7 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 1008.370
Low
604.00
Averages
951.45
High
1100
Current: 1008.370
Low
604.00
Averages
951.45
High
1100
About GS
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a global financial institution that delivers a range of financial services to a large and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and individuals. Its segments include Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management and Platform Solutions. The Global Banking & Markets segment offers a range of services, including financing, advisory services, risk distribution, and hedging for its institutional and corporate clients. It facilitates client transactions and makes markets in fixed income, equity, currency and commodity products. The Asset & Wealth Management segment manages assets and offers investment products across all asset classes to a diverse set of clients. It also provides investing and wealth advisory solutions. The Platform Solutions segment includes consumer platforms, such as partnerships offering credit cards and point-of-sale financing, and transaction banking and other platform businesses.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Goldman Sachs Predicts Record M&A Activity in 2026
- Strong M&A Activity: Goldman Sachs COO John Waldron stated at the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference that M&A activity in 2026 is on track to approach or breach the record set in 2021, indicating a robust market recovery and increased corporate confidence.
- Corporate-Led Market: Waldron highlighted that corporate-led M&A has surged approximately 62% year-over-year, while private equity activity has declined by 4%, marking a significant trend reversal as companies seek to expand their scale within their industries.
- Private Equity Potential: Although the future of private equity M&A remains uncertain, Waldron noted that private equity and venture capital firms hold $1 trillion in dry powder and $4 trillion in embedded portfolio valuations, suggesting that if these funds are deployed, M&A activity could accelerate significantly.
- Goldman's Leading Edge: Goldman Sachs boasts a substantial lead of nearly $300 billion in the M&A advisory league table, the largest lead ever recorded at this point in the year, which is expected to generate substantial fee income and further solidify its market position.
See More
Analysis of Current Best CD Rates
- Current CD Rates: As of May 28, 2026, Marcus by Goldman Sachs offers a 4% APY on its 14-month CD, showcasing competitive rates compared to historical averages, appealing to savers seeking secure investments.
- Rate Trend Analysis: Since the Federal Reserve began cutting rates in 2024, CD rates have been on a downward trend, although several financial institutions still offer competitive rates of 4% APY and above, reflecting a cautious market outlook.
- CD Account Opening Process: The steps to open a CD account include researching rates, selecting an appropriate account, preparing necessary documents, and completing the application, which can often be done online for convenience.
- Future Rate Predictions: While the Federal Reserve has kept rates unchanged in 2026, uncertainty remains regarding future rate movements, prompting savers to consider locking in current higher rates to mitigate potential future declines.
See More
ECB Faces Dilemma Over Interest Rate Hikes Amid Economic Fragility
- Rate Hike Expectations: Markets are pricing in a 91% probability of a 25 basis point rate hike at the ECB's June 11 meeting, raising the key rate to 2.25%, which could tighten credit conditions and impact corporate financing, potentially stifling economic growth.
- Rising Inflation Pressures: Eurozone inflation surged to 3% in April due to rising energy costs from the Iran conflict, increasing pressure on the ECB to adopt tightening measures, despite the economy showing only 0.1% growth.
- Policy Formulation Challenges: The ECB's Vice-President noted the need to balance inflation control with economic growth protection, raising questions about the necessity of rate hikes in the current fragile economic environment.
- Credibility Risks: Economists warn that failure to address inflation promptly could undermine the ECB's credibility, eroding market confidence in its ability to maintain price stability, which would be difficult to restore once lost.
See More
US-Iran Conflict Escalates, Oil Prices Surge Amid Economic Uncertainty
- Escalation of US-Iran Conflict: Following weeks of paused action, the US and Iran have resumed airstrikes, complicating hopes for a permanent resolution to the conflict, which is impacting global oil supplies and market sentiment.
- Strong Stock Market Performance: Despite rising geopolitical tensions, both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closed at record highs, primarily driven by a surge in AI-related stocks, indicating strong market confidence in the technology sector.
- Oil Price Warning: ExxonMobil has warned that oil inventories are on track to reach dangerously low levels in the coming weeks, forcing prices to spike and curbing demand, reflecting market concerns over energy supply.
- Wealthy Investors Pulling Out: According to the UBS Global Family Office Report, 60% of family offices plan to adjust their investment allocations in the next year, with many reducing US holdings and increasing exposure to emerging markets, highlighting a growing trend of 'de-dollarization'.
See More
Private Credit Defaults Expected to Rise to Record Levels
- Rising Default Rates: According to S&P, private credit defaults are expected to increase from 4.4% to 9-10%, primarily driven by the implications of the AI cycle, which may exacerbate risks associated with corporate loans and undermine investor confidence.
- Software Sector Pressure: The software industry accounts for 19% of private credit collateralized loan obligations, and as growth slows and margins compress, the repayment capacity of these loans is expected to be negatively impacted, adding to market uncertainty.
- Liquidity Crisis: With constrained liquidity, investors are beginning to attempt to withdraw funds, particularly with significant withdrawal requests anticipated in June, which could exert further pressure on the market and lead to more default events.
- Pension Fund Risks: While some large state pension funds continue to maintain investments in private credit, their significant risk exposure could have spillover effects on the broader financial markets, especially given that banks have loaned approximately $300 billion to private credit, potentially putting retail investors at risk.
See More
IBM Invests $5 Billion in New Cybersecurity Platform
- Significant Investment: IBM has announced a $5 billion investment in a new cybersecurity platform aimed at addressing vulnerabilities in open-source software, which not only underscores the company's commitment to cybersecurity but also enhances its competitive position in the enterprise market.
- Project Partnerships: Dubbed Project Lightwell, the initiative has already attracted major U.S. banks such as Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan, and Bank of America as early adopters, indicating strong market confidence and demand for IBM's new platform.
- Innovation Driven by Technology: CEO Arvind Krishna noted that Anthropic's Mythos model was a pivotal factor in driving this investment, highlighting the potential of large language models to discover and exploit vulnerabilities in code, which could reshape the cybersecurity landscape.
- Collaborative Industry Outlook: IBM and Red Hat are dedicating 20,000 software engineers to assist partners in securing software, with Krishna emphasizing that cybersecurity firms should be viewed as partners rather than competitors, a collaborative approach that could enhance overall industry security capabilities.
See More
Goldman Sachs Predicts Record M&A Activity in 2026
- Strong M&A Activity: Goldman Sachs COO John Waldron stated at the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference that M&A activity in 2026 is on track to approach or breach the record set in 2021, indicating a robust market recovery and increased corporate confidence.
- Corporate-Led Market: Waldron highlighted that corporate-led M&A has surged approximately 62% year-over-year, while private equity activity has declined by 4%, marking a significant trend reversal as companies seek to expand their scale within their industries.
- Private Equity Potential: Although the future of private equity M&A remains uncertain, Waldron noted that private equity and venture capital firms hold $1 trillion in dry powder and $4 trillion in embedded portfolio valuations, suggesting that if these funds are deployed, M&A activity could accelerate significantly.
- Goldman's Leading Edge: Goldman Sachs boasts a substantial lead of nearly $300 billion in the M&A advisory league table, the largest lead ever recorded at this point in the year, which is expected to generate substantial fee income and further solidify its market position.
See More
Analysis of Current Best CD Rates
- Current CD Rates: As of May 28, 2026, Marcus by Goldman Sachs offers a 4% APY on its 14-month CD, showcasing competitive rates compared to historical averages, appealing to savers seeking secure investments.
- Rate Trend Analysis: Since the Federal Reserve began cutting rates in 2024, CD rates have been on a downward trend, although several financial institutions still offer competitive rates of 4% APY and above, reflecting a cautious market outlook.
- CD Account Opening Process: The steps to open a CD account include researching rates, selecting an appropriate account, preparing necessary documents, and completing the application, which can often be done online for convenience.
- Future Rate Predictions: While the Federal Reserve has kept rates unchanged in 2026, uncertainty remains regarding future rate movements, prompting savers to consider locking in current higher rates to mitigate potential future declines.
See More
ECB Faces Dilemma Over Interest Rate Hikes Amid Economic Fragility
- Rate Hike Expectations: Markets are pricing in a 91% probability of a 25 basis point rate hike at the ECB's June 11 meeting, raising the key rate to 2.25%, which could tighten credit conditions and impact corporate financing, potentially stifling economic growth.
- Rising Inflation Pressures: Eurozone inflation surged to 3% in April due to rising energy costs from the Iran conflict, increasing pressure on the ECB to adopt tightening measures, despite the economy showing only 0.1% growth.
- Policy Formulation Challenges: The ECB's Vice-President noted the need to balance inflation control with economic growth protection, raising questions about the necessity of rate hikes in the current fragile economic environment.
- Credibility Risks: Economists warn that failure to address inflation promptly could undermine the ECB's credibility, eroding market confidence in its ability to maintain price stability, which would be difficult to restore once lost.
See More
US-Iran Conflict Escalates, Oil Prices Surge Amid Economic Uncertainty
- Escalation of US-Iran Conflict: Following weeks of paused action, the US and Iran have resumed airstrikes, complicating hopes for a permanent resolution to the conflict, which is impacting global oil supplies and market sentiment.
- Strong Stock Market Performance: Despite rising geopolitical tensions, both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closed at record highs, primarily driven by a surge in AI-related stocks, indicating strong market confidence in the technology sector.
- Oil Price Warning: ExxonMobil has warned that oil inventories are on track to reach dangerously low levels in the coming weeks, forcing prices to spike and curbing demand, reflecting market concerns over energy supply.
- Wealthy Investors Pulling Out: According to the UBS Global Family Office Report, 60% of family offices plan to adjust their investment allocations in the next year, with many reducing US holdings and increasing exposure to emerging markets, highlighting a growing trend of 'de-dollarization'.
See More
Private Credit Defaults Expected to Rise to Record Levels
- Rising Default Rates: According to S&P, private credit defaults are expected to increase from 4.4% to 9-10%, primarily driven by the implications of the AI cycle, which may exacerbate risks associated with corporate loans and undermine investor confidence.
- Software Sector Pressure: The software industry accounts for 19% of private credit collateralized loan obligations, and as growth slows and margins compress, the repayment capacity of these loans is expected to be negatively impacted, adding to market uncertainty.
- Liquidity Crisis: With constrained liquidity, investors are beginning to attempt to withdraw funds, particularly with significant withdrawal requests anticipated in June, which could exert further pressure on the market and lead to more default events.
- Pension Fund Risks: While some large state pension funds continue to maintain investments in private credit, their significant risk exposure could have spillover effects on the broader financial markets, especially given that banks have loaned approximately $300 billion to private credit, potentially putting retail investors at risk.
See More
IBM Invests $5 Billion in New Cybersecurity Platform
- Significant Investment: IBM has announced a $5 billion investment in a new cybersecurity platform aimed at addressing vulnerabilities in open-source software, which not only underscores the company's commitment to cybersecurity but also enhances its competitive position in the enterprise market.
- Project Partnerships: Dubbed Project Lightwell, the initiative has already attracted major U.S. banks such as Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan, and Bank of America as early adopters, indicating strong market confidence and demand for IBM's new platform.
- Innovation Driven by Technology: CEO Arvind Krishna noted that Anthropic's Mythos model was a pivotal factor in driving this investment, highlighting the potential of large language models to discover and exploit vulnerabilities in code, which could reshape the cybersecurity landscape.
- Collaborative Industry Outlook: IBM and Red Hat are dedicating 20,000 software engineers to assist partners in securing software, with Krishna emphasizing that cybersecurity firms should be viewed as partners rather than competitors, a collaborative approach that could enhance overall industry security capabilities.
See More
