Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon: We're still in early innings of private capital formation

Core Insights - Goldman Sachs is hosting its 24th annual alternative summit, featuring prominent figures from various sectors, indicating the growing importance of alternative assets in the financial landscape [1][2]. Group 1: Alternative Assets Overview - The alternative assets sector has seen significant growth, with Goldman Sachs managing over $500 billion in alternatives across private equity, private credit, infrastructure, and real estate [4]. - The private capital formation is still in its early stages, suggesting potential for further growth and development in the market [5]. - The U.S. capital markets are highlighted as the most robust globally, with a strong private capital formation ecosystem that supports economic strength [6][7]. Group 2: Access and Investment Considerations - Historically, alternative investments have been limited to wealthier investors due to their illiquid nature, but there is a push for broader access to these products [7][11]. - Investors are encouraged to consider their liquidity needs and time horizons when investing in alternatives, with suggestions of a 20-25% allocation in retirement accounts for long-term investors [10][23]. - The discussion around the transparency and valuation of private assets is crucial as these products become more integrated into public markets, raising questions about the need for independent verification [14][15]. Group 3: Market Dynamics and Valuation - The valuation of private equity assets has been slower due to discrepancies between marked values and actual market conditions, particularly following the market fluctuations in 2020 and 2021 [16][22]. - The industry perspective suggests that maintaining different valuations for private assets compared to public markets is a feature rather than a bug, emphasizing the unique nature of private investments [17]. - The importance of marking assets accurately for liquidity options is highlighted, as it affects the value delivered to investors seeking liquidity [19].