Live Market Insights

Geopolitics, AI, and Private Credit: Navigating Three Key Investor Concerns

The first four months of 2026 have been marked by geopolitical shifts and heightened market volatility. In this episode of our video series Live Market Insights, the Wealth Management Investment Strategy Group (ISG) addresses three key topics important to investors: the macro and market implications of the Middle East conflict, the impact of artificial intelligence on the software sector, and concerns around the outlook for private credit. ISG also shares whether their long-held investment themes of US Preeminence and Stay Invested remain intact.
May 4, 2026  |  6 min read
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Geopolitics, AI, and Private Credit: Navigating Three Key Investor Concerns

Matt Weir, managing director with the Investment Strategy Group (ISG), and Matheus Dibo, head of Tactical Asset Allocation for ISG, share their economic and financial market perspectives in a live discussion moderated by Nicola Gifford, vice president in ISG. Specifically, they address:

  • 1
    The Macro and Market Implications of the Middle East Conflict (0:50)
    The Middle East has been a notable source of volatility for financial markets over the past two months. We discuss the implications of higher oil prices on the global macroeconomic outlook and US equities.
  • 2
    The Potential Impact of AI on the Software Sector (5:42)
    Despite strong fundamentals for the S&P 500 in aggregate, investors are concerned about the sell-off of software stocks given growing scepticism around the software business model in light of rapid advancements in AI. We discuss our views and tactical investment opportunities.
  • 3
    Concerns Around the Outlook for Private Credit (6:40)
    There have been several overlapping concerns in private credit. Learn more about the outlook.
  • 4
    Investment Perspectives for the Months Ahead (8:07)
    Insight on how the Investment Strategy Group advises clients position their portfolios strategically and tactically, including managing market volatility.

For more of our views on these topics, read the Investment Strategy Group’s latest note ‘InBrief: Perspectives on the Ongoing Middle East Conflict’.

“
We looked at 21 airstrike campaigns that the US conducted in the Middle East over the last 40 years. We found that initially equities sold off ...but eight weeks following these strikes, equities were higher 95% of the time by a median of 4%.”
Matheus Dibo
Head of Tactical Asset Allocation with the Goldman Sachs Wealth Management Investment Strategy Group
“
The dispersion of private credit outcomes will be very wide across managers based on their credit selection.”
Matt Weir
Managing Director with the Goldman Sachs Wealth Management Investment Strategy Group
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