Group 1 - Goldman Sachs plans to invest up to $1 billion in T. Rowe Price stock to acquire up to 3.5% of shares, aiming to enhance access to private markets for clients [1][2] - The partnership will provide wealth and retirement products, including target-date strategies, model portfolios, and multi-asset products, specifically designed for mass affluent and high-net-worth clients [2][3] - The collaboration reflects a trend among asset managers to tap into the growing demand for private market investments among retail investors, particularly in light of regulatory changes that facilitate access to alternatives [3][4] Group 2 - The demand for private assets is increasing among retail investors, with alternatives being seen as suitable for 401(k) accounts due to their long time horizons and tax advantages [4] - Other notable partnerships in the industry include Blackstone, Vanguard, and Wellington launching an interval fund, and Capital Group and KKR creating public-private credit funds targeting retail investors [5]

Group 1 - Goldman Sachs (GS) has partnered with T. Rowe Price (TROW) to provide a diversified suite of public and private market solutions for retirement and wealth investors, with Goldman investing approximately $1 billion for a 3.5% stake in T. Rowe Price [1][9] - The collaboration will enhance private market access for individuals, advisors, and plan sponsors, introducing Target-Date Strategies, model portfolios, multi-asset offerings, and personalized advice [2][3] - This partnership follows an executive order aimed at expanding access to alternative assets for 401(k) participants, which is expected to increase participation in private market investments [3][4] Group 2 - Other major financial firms, including BlackRock and JPMorgan, are also enhancing their private market capabilities to meet rising demand and attract new clients [5] - BlackRock has invested over $28 billion in the past year to strengthen its position in private markets and aims for $400 billion in fundraising by 2030 [6] - JPMorgan announced a $50 billion allocation toward direct lending in February 2025, having deployed over $10 billion across 100+ private credit transactions since 2021 [7] Group 3 - Goldman Sachs shares have increased by 30.8% year to date, outperforming the industry growth of 23.6% [8] - Goldman trades at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 14.91X, slightly above the industry average of 14.65X [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Goldman's earnings in 2025 and 2026 indicates year-over-year growth of 12.6% and 14.9%, respectively, with estimates remaining unchanged over the past 30 days [13]

Core Insights - The Broadridge Fund Brand 50 (FB50) report highlights the importance of brand strength in asset management, with fund selectors prioritizing 'Solidity' and 'Client-oriented thinking' when choosing asset managers [1][5][13] - BlackRock has overtaken Vanguard as the top asset management brand, marking a significant shift in fund selector preferences [2][6] - The study ranks asset managers based on ten brand attributes, revealing insights into the competitive landscape of the asset management industry [2][10] Brand Rankings - The top three U.S. asset management brands for 2025 are BlackRock, Vanguard, and Capital Group, with BlackRock moving up one position and Vanguard dropping one [3] - First Trust made notable progress, rising from 10th to 6th place, attributed to its innovative product offerings [6] Valued Attributes - The top three attributes valued by U.S. fund selectors are 'Solidity', 'Client-oriented thinking', and 'Appealing investment strategy', indicating a preference for stability and customer-centric approaches [5][13] - 'Experts in what they do' and 'Knowledge of the market where they operate' have gained importance, reflecting the need for specialized expertise in a complex investment landscape [13] Market Trends - Fund selectors are increasingly favoring large, established brands with diverse product offerings, as well as firms that can adapt to new market demands [7][13] - There is a growing consumer demand for new product types, including actively managed ETFs and model portfolios, influencing the rankings of asset managers [13] Additional Findings - Charles Schwab excelled in 'Client-oriented thinking', ranking 7th in this attribute despite an overall 17th place in the FB50 rankings [13] - The study indicates a continued willingness among fund selectors to explore new engagements, driven by steady performance and lower volatility [13]

Group 1 - The article discusses Verizon's Q4 2024 earnings preview, suggesting that it is an opportune time for investors to be aggressive in their approach [1] - Sensor Unlimited, the author, is part of an investment group that focuses on generating high income and growth through dynamic asset allocation strategies [1] - The investment group offers two model portfolios aimed at different investment strategies: one for short-term survival and another for aggressive long-term growth [1] Group 2 - Sensor Unlimited has a PhD in financial economics and has spent the last decade analyzing the mortgage market, commercial market, and banking industry [2] - The focus of Sensor Unlimited's writing includes asset allocation and ETFs related to the overall market, bonds, banking, financial sectors, and housing markets [2]