Goldman Sachs strategists are estimating a 5% gain in the S&P 500 next year. That's close to three times the year-to-date return of the index through November 2, following steep losses in October.
Underpinning the Goldman forecast are expected net sales by pension funds (-$100 billion), mutual funds (-$125 billion) and households (-$175 billion) offset in part by net buying from foreign investors (+100 billion) and most prominently corporations (+$700 billion).
"Corporates will be, by far, the biggest source of equity demand given a 20%+ gross buyback growth and a favorable backdrop for M&A," write Goldman Sachs strategists in their latest Flow of Funds report. A potential record year for IPOs, which could include Uber, Airbnb and Slack among other large privately held U.S. companies, however, could partially offset corporate net purchases of equities.
While corporate purchases of U.S. equities are expected to top all previous years dating back to at least 2013, net purchases by foreign investors are expected to fall to their lowest level since 2016, when they actually declined. An expected 3% decline in the U.S. dollar versus foreign currencies is seen supporting foreign U.S. equity purchases.
Overall Goldman Sachs strategists "expect investors will reduce portfolio risk in 2019." Their allocation to equities currently is the highest since the tech bubble in 2000 and it accounts for 44% of total direct and indirect financial assets owned by households, mutual funds, pension funds, and foreign investors.
"A flattening yield curve, modest equity market outperformance vs. bonds and cash, and low current cash balances should continue to support risk-averse asset rotations next year," write Goldman strategists.