Finding the Right Problems: How Sutter Hill Ventures’ Mike Speiser Creates Great Companies

When Kathy Matsui first published research on "Womenomics," exploring the economic outcomes of women in the workforce, Japan had one of the lowest female participation rates in the developed world. Now, 20 years later, Japan's female participation rate is 71%, which tops the US and Europe. In this episode, Kathy Matsui joins us in the studio to discuss the progress that has been made over the next two decades and where challenges remain. "I believe Womenomics is working in Japan's context," Matsui says, though she notes that it remains "a work in progress" with significant room to improve the nation's gender leadership and pay gap. This podcast was recorded on April 23, 2019. All price references and market forecasts correspond to the date of this recording. This podcast should not be copied, distributed, published or reproduced, in whole or in part. The information contained in this podcast does not constitute research or a recommendation from any Goldman Sachs entity to the listener. Neither Goldman Sachs nor any of its affiliates makes any representation or warranty, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in this podcast and any liability therefor (including in respect of direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage) is expressly disclaimed. The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of Goldman Sachs, and Goldman Sachs is not providing any financial, economic, legal, accounting or tax advice or recommendations in this podcast. In addition, the receipt of this podcast by any listener is not to be taken as constituting the giving of investment advice by Goldman Sachs to that listener, nor to constitute such person a client of any Goldman Sachs entity. Copyright 2019 Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

30 Maj 201929min

The 2017 tax overhaul created incentives for investing in certain low-income communities across America, or "opportunity zones" as they're called. In this episode, Margaret Anadu, head of Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group, explains the opportunity zone investing landscape and the role of private capital in revitalizing struggling communities. "There's no way we're going to change the situation in low-income communities and bring back all of that opportunity without the investment of private capital," Anadu says. This podcast was recorded on May 7, 2019. This podcast should not be copied, distributed, published or reproduced, in whole or in part. The information contained in this podcast is not financial research nor a product of Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research. Neither Goldman Sachs nor any of its affiliates makes any representation or warranty, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in this podcast and any liability therefore (including in respect of direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage) is expressly disclaimed. The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of Goldman Sachs, and Goldman Sachs is not providing any financial, economic, legal, accounting or tax advice or recommendations in this podcast. In addition, the receipt of this podcast by any listener is not to be taken as constituting the giving of investment advice by Goldman Sachs to that listener, nor to constitute such person a client of any Goldman Sachs entity. Copyright 2019 Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

22 Maj 201922min

Elections for the European Parliament taking place May 23-26 are setting up to be exceptionally important given the rise of populist and nationalist forces that threaten Europe’s long-standing centrist status quo. Some even see this election as a crucial moment in deciding the future of the European Union. Allison Nathan from Goldman Sachs Research talks to experts about the potential implications of this important election in this episode of Top of Mind. José Manuel Barroso, former President of the European Commission and Chairman of Goldman Sachs International, gives firsthand insight on the large and growing relevance of the European Parliament. Mark Leonard, Director of the European Council on Foreign Relations, provides his view on how a possible realignment in power at both the European and national levels could disrupt everything from EU leadership appointments, to trade deals, to the EU’s budget— not to mention implications for fiscal policy in member countries, among other policy areas.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 Maj 201916min

In this episode, Steve Strongin of Goldman Sachs Research discusses a new report from Goldman Sachs' Global Markets Institute, titled "What the Market Pays For." One of the main findings is that equity investors tend to pay for persistence or what is sometimes called "visibility." Strongin also discusses why large corporations often feel that they aren't rewarded for innovation the way small firms are. The reason for this, Strongin explains, is how the market perceives the "deep pocket risk" involved. Investors worry that large firms may overspend on failing projects because they have the resources to do so. Smaller companies, however, don't have as much money to be able to do the same. Strongin also discusses how corporate reporting can be managed to improve firms' valuations. This podcast was recorded on May 1, 2019.. All price references and market forecasts correspond to the date of this recording. This podcast should not be copied, distributed, published or reproduced, in whole or in part. The information contained in this podcast does not constitute research or a recommendation from any Goldman Sachs entity to the listener. Neither Goldman Sachs nor any of its affiliates makes any representation or warranty, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in this podcast and any liability therefor (including in respect of direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage) is expressly disclaimed. The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of Goldman Sachs, and Goldman Sachs is not providing any financial, economic, legal, accounting or tax advice or recommendations in this podcast. In addition, the receipt of this podcast by any listener is not to be taken as constituting the giving of investment advice by Goldman Sachs to that listener, nor to constitute such person a client of any Goldman Sachs entity. Copyright 2019 Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

9 Maj 201920min

The findings of Goldman Sachs Asset Management's (GSAM) annual insurance survey are in, and insurance companies generally believe that US markets are in late stages of the economic cycle. Of the companies surveyed, 84% indicated that the US will see a recession within the next two years, but only 2% think that the recession will come this year, explains GSAM's Mike Siegel. Given these views, along with the current environment of high equity valuations and low bond yields, the key consideration on insurers' minds, Siegel says, is "where to safely deploy their capital in order to get a recent return." This podcast was recorded on April 26, 2019. The views and opinions expressed herein should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell any securities and such views and opinions may differ from those of Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research or other departments or divisions of Goldman Sachs and its affiliates. This information may not be current and Goldman Sachs has no obligation to provide any updates or changes. Neither Goldman Sachs nor any of its affiliates makes any representation or warranty, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in this podcast and any liability therefore (including in respect of direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage) is expressly disclaimed. Goldman Sachs is not providing any financial, economic, legal, accounting or tax advice in this podcast. In addition, the receipt of this podcast by any listener is not to be taken as constituting the giving of investment advice by any Goldman Sachs entity. The portfolio risk management process includes an effort to monitor and manage risk but does not imply low risk. Copyright 2019 Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

6 Maj 201914min

In the wake of the financial crisis, the low interest rate environment gave consumers little incentive to put their money into savings accounts. That's changing in the UK, says Goldman Sachs' Des McDaid, with savings rates "back on the agenda." In this episode, McDaid, who oversaw the launch of Marcus by Goldman Sachs in the UK, explains the factors driving the renewed demand for savings accounts and compares savings habits in the region to those around the world. This podcast was recorded on March 5, 2019. The views and opinions expressed herein should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell any securities and such views and opinions may differ from those of Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research or other departments or divisions of Goldman Sachs and its affiliates. This information may not be current and Goldman Sachs has no obligation to provide any updates or changes. Neither Goldman Sachs nor any of its affiliates makes any representation or warranty, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in this podcast and any liability therefore (including in respect of direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage) is expressly disclaimed. Goldman Sachs is not providing any financial, economic, legal, accounting or tax advice in this podcast. In addition, the receipt of this podcast by any listener is not to be taken as constituting the giving of investment advice by any Goldman Sachs entity. The portfolio risk management process includes an effort to monitor and manage risk but does not imply low risk. Copyright 2019 Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

30 Apr 201921min

The surge in US corporate buybacks to all-time highs in 2018 has generated public debate about the effects of buybacks on workers, companies, and the economy. We speak with William Lazonick, prof. at the University of Massachusetts, about the concerns driving this debate, at the core of which is the notion that buybacks come at the expense of investment. But GS portfolio strategists see little evidence of this. Aswath Damodaran, prof. at the NYU Stern School of Business, argues that’s because buybacks redirect—rather than reduce—investment, and trapping cash in firms that don’t have a good use for it instead would harm their competitiveness. More broadly, Steven Davis, prof. at The Chicago Booth School of Business, explains that such an inefficient allocation of resources would shrink the size of the economic “pie” and likely reinforce the unequal distribution of it. As for market impacts, we conclude that banning buybacks would likely lead to lower and more volatile US equity markets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

29 Apr 201918min

When banks reigned in their lending activities after the global financial crisis, there was a gap in the market as small-to-medium sized businesses had nowhere to go to raise capital that they needed to grow. In this episode, Greg Olafson and Nishi Somaiya of Goldman Sachs' Securities Division discuss how alternative asset managers have filled that gap in Europe through direct lending to middle-market companies. "This form of lending in Europe has evolved and has become an asset class in its own right, to the point where companies now have an option where they go [to raise capital]," Somaiya says. This podcast was recorded on March 6, 2019. This podcast should not be copied, distributed, published or reproduced, in whole or in part. The information contained in this podcast is not financial research nor a product of Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research. Neither Goldman Sachs nor any of its affiliates makes any representation or warranty, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in this podcast and any liability therefore (including in respect of direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage) is expressly disclaimed. The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of Goldman Sachs, and Goldman Sachs is not providing any financial, economic, legal, accounting or tax advice or recommendations in this podcast. This recording should not be relied upon to evaluate any potential transaction. In addition, the receipt of this podcast by any listener is not to be taken as constituting the giving of investment advice by Goldman Sachs to that listener, nor to constitute such person a client of any Goldman Sachs entity. Copyright 2019 Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

23 Apr 201926min