Insights 
VT 
Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon predicts a minor change in policy rates as autumn approaches. He anticipates a 25 basis point reduction and suggests there could be one or two additional cuts in the near future.
Recent job data points towards a softening economy. Meanwhile, this week Goldman Sachs will conduct more initial public offerings (IPOs) and experience increased IPO activity compared to any period since July 2021.
Change in Monetary Policy
We are preparing for a shift in monetary policy, with a 25 basis point rate cut looking highly probable this fall. Market pricing, seen in Fed funds futures, now implies over an 80% chance of a cut at the next meeting. This expectation is being driven by the latest jobs report from August 2025, which showed hiring slowing more than anticipated.
This economic softening gives the central bank cover to begin an easing cycle, potentially with one or two more cuts to follow. The August 2025 Non-Farm Payrolls report added just 145,000 jobs, below the 170,000 consensus, while the unemployment rate edged up to 4.1%. We saw a similar dynamic in 2019 when the Fed pivoted to rate cuts in response to slowing growth, which ultimately supported risk assets through the end of that year.
At the same time, we’re seeing a clear revival of risk appetite in the IPO market, which is now the most active it has been since the peak in July 2021. This renewed confidence suggests that underlying market volatility is expected to decrease. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) has reflected this, recently trading down to a yearly low of 13.5.
Investment Strategies
Given this backdrop, we should consider positioning for lower interest rates and a more stable market environment. Options strategies that benefit from lower volatility, such as selling puts on major indices like the S&P 500, appear attractive. This aligns with the expectation that lower rates will provide a floor for equity prices in the coming weeks.
Long positions in interest-rate-sensitive derivatives should perform well as the market fully prices in the start of an easing cycle. This includes buying Treasury note futures, as bond prices will rise when rates fall. We should also look at call options on rate-sensitive sectors like technology and real estate investment trusts (REITs), which have historically outperformed during periods of declining rates.
