Goldman Sachs President John Waldron: Dealmaking Outlook Is Still ‘Quite Good'

Group 1: Market Outlook - Goldman Sachs maintains confidence in its dealmaking pipeline despite tariff-related uncertainties, with a strong investment banking business and a positive outlook [1] - Corporate clients remain optimistic about transactions, with ongoing discussions about mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and capital raising [2] - A 30% increase in large deals valued over $500 million this year indicates market resilience, despite a general slump in M&A activity [2] Group 2: M&A Activity Trends - M&A activity has slowed in the second quarter compared to the first, but significant transactions are still being worked on [3] - From the start of the year until April 21, the number of M&A deals decreased by 19%, with no deals over $10 billion announced in February, marking a two-year low [4] - Tariff-related uncertainties are affecting companies' planning and production across various sectors, including consumer electronics and clothing [4] Group 3: Product Development Impact - Research indicates that 25% of product leaders have altered their product designs, pricing, or go-to-market strategies due to tariffs [5] - Additionally, 14% of product leaders have delayed or canceled product development, reflecting disruptions to strategic growth initiatives [6] - All executives surveyed reported some impact from tariffs, highlighting the broader implications for operational stability [6]