New York Post·2026-01-15 22:09Core Viewpoint - Goldman Sachs anticipates a significant increase in mega-deals on Wall Street in 2026, supported by strong financial results from major US banks in 2025, including a record $9.3 billion in investment banking fees for Goldman Sachs, marking a 21% increase from the previous year [1][2]. Financial Performance - Major US banks, including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Citi, Wells Fargo, JP Morgan, and Bank of America, reported a combined revenue of $593 billion in 2025, reflecting a 6% increase from the prior year, with profits reaching approximately $157 billion, up 8% [2]. - Goldman Sachs achieved a record $9.3 billion in investment banking fees for 2025, up from $7.7 billion in 2024 [1]. - Morgan Stanley's investment banking revenue rose to $7.6 billion in 2025 from $6.1 billion the previous year [4]. Market Outlook - Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon expressed optimism for 2026, suggesting it could be a "very, very good year" for investment bankers and M&A advisors, citing a favorable environment for M&A and capital markets [5][6]. - Global M&A volumes reached $5.1 trillion in 2025, a 42% increase from 2024, indicating strong CEO confidence in pursuing large-scale consolidations [8]. - The deal pipeline for Goldman Sachs is at its highest level in four years, suggesting robust future transaction activity [8]. Regulatory Environment - Solomon noted a shift in the regulatory landscape for M&A, contrasting the current environment with the previous four years under the Biden administration, which was perceived as more restrictive [6]. Sector-Specific Insights - Morgan Stanley's CFO highlighted an accelerating pipeline in M&A and IPOs, particularly in the healthcare and industrial sectors, while also acknowledging potential economic and geopolitical challenges [14]. - Citigroup reported a 22% increase in investment banking fees to $4.4 billion in 2025, up from $3.6 billion the previous year, as part of a strategic overhaul aimed at improving profitability and operational efficiency [17][18].