Goldman Sachs US Equity Positioning and Key Levels

FICC and Equities | 2 June 2025 |

Below is a concise recap of key GS positioning metrics:

Summary:

1. CTA Corner:

- After purchasing $103 billion in global equities last month, CTAs are now expected to be net sellers across all scenarios globally and in the US over the next week. Currently, CTAs hold a long position of $17.5 billion in US equities.

2. GS PB Performance:

- Equity Fundamental L/S Performance: Increased by +0.64% between 5/23 and 5/29 (compared to MSCI World TR +1.17%), driven by beta gains of +0.45% and alpha gains of +0.19%, primarily from long-side performance.

- Equity Systematic L/S Performance: Declined by -0.06% during the same period, with losses driven by beta, while alpha remained flat (long-side gains offset by short-side losses).

3. Buybacks:

- Blackout periods are estimated to begin approximately 4-6 weeks before earnings and end 1-2 days post-earnings. The upcoming blackout window is expected to start around 6/16 and continue through 7/25.

CTA Corner Details:

- CTA Flows (Next Week):

- Flat market: Sellers of $1.79B ($260M out of the US)

- Rising market: Sellers of $2.49B ($381M into the US)

- Declining market: Sellers of $17B ($5.5B out of the US)

- CTA Flows (Next Month):

- Flat market: Sellers of $1.35B ($201M into the US)

- Rising market: Buyers of $5.27B ($5.7B into the US)

- Declining market: Sellers of $123.9B ($36B out of the US)

Key SPX Pivot Levels:

- Short-term: 5657

- Medium-term: 5793

- Long-term: 5538