Goldman Sachs Wins $70bn Retirement Asset Mandates From Verizon and Lockheed Martin

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July 10, 2026

The logo for Goldman Sachs is seen on the trading floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, New York, U.S., November 17, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/Files

Goldman Sachs has secured mandates to oversee a combined $70 billion in retirement assets for Verizon Communications and Lockheed Martin, strengthening its position in one of the fastest-growing segments of the investment management industry as large corporations increasingly outsource the management of employee retirement savings.

The mandates rank among the largest outsourced retirement asset awards announced in recent years and underscore a structural shift in how some of America’s biggest employers manage pension funds and defined-contribution retirement plans.

According to Goldman Sachs, the appointments cover approximately $30 billion in pension assets belonging to Verizon and Lockheed Martin, as well as $40 billion in Verizon’s defined-contribution retirement plans, which primarily consist of 401(k) accounts.

The latest wins expand Goldman’s presence in the outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) market, where asset managers assume responsibility for constructing portfolios, allocating capital, selecting external managers, overseeing risk, and adjusting investment strategies on behalf of institutional clients.

The business has become increasingly important across the financial industry as corporations contend with more complex investment environments, heightened market volatility, higher interest rates, changing regulations and growing allocations to private markets such as private equity, private credit, infrastructure and real estate.

Many companies are now choosing to delegate day-to-day portfolio management to specialist firms with global research capabilities and access to a broader range of investment opportunities rather than maintaining large in-house investment teams.

The trend is reshaping institutional asset management and creating an increasingly lucrative business for global investment firms.

Stable Fees In An Unpredictable Market

The mandates represent more than an increase in assets under management for Goldman Sachs. Analysts believe they also reinforce the firm’s long-term strategy of expanding businesses that generate recurring fee income, helping reduce its dependence on investment banking and trading operations, whose earnings can fluctuate significantly with market conditions.

Unlike advisory work on mergers or capital raisings, or revenue from securities trading, retirement mandates typically span many years and produce predictable management fees regardless of short-term market cycles.

That stability has made the OCIO business one of the industry’s most fiercely contested markets.

Global investment firms, including BlackRock, Russell Investments, and Mercer, are competing aggressively for a share of the multitrillion-dollar retirement assets managed on behalf of pension funds, corporations, universities, foundations, and other institutional investors. Winning large mandates from household-name companies such as Verizon and Lockheed Martin not only increases assets under management but also enhances an asset manager’s reputation when competing for future institutional business.

The awards also show that institutional investors are reducing the number of firms managing their assets. Instead of dividing portfolios among numerous investment managers, many plan sponsors now prefer to consolidate responsibilities with a single adviser capable of managing sophisticated investment strategies across both traditional and alternative asset classes.

Marc Nachmann, Goldman’s Global Head of Asset and Wealth Management, said that the trend is becoming more pronounced.

“Large plan sponsors are consolidating responsibilities with one partner with the investment expertise and depth of platform to manage their bespoke needs,” he said.

His comments point to a broader evolution in institutional investing. Modern retirement portfolios are no longer built primarily around publicly traded stocks and bonds. Many now include private equity, infrastructure projects, private credit, hedge funds and other alternative investments that require specialized expertise, extensive due diligence and ongoing oversight.

As investment strategies become more diversified, many employers have concluded that outsourcing portfolio management can improve governance, strengthen risk management, and potentially enhance long-term investment performance while reducing internal administrative burdens.

A Growing Pillar of Goldman Sachs

The latest mandates further cement asset and wealth management as one of Goldman’s most important growth engines. As of March 31, the firm’s outsourced chief investment officer business managed approximately $480 billion in assets. Its broader Asset and Wealth Management division oversees roughly $3.7 trillion, making it one of the world’s largest investment managers and an increasingly important contributor to the bank’s earnings.

Growing this business is central to Chief Executive David Solomon’s plan of making Goldman’s revenue base more balanced and resilient by increasing the share of earnings derived from recurring management fees. The plan has gained added importance as investment banking activity and capital markets revenues have remained susceptible to swings in interest rates, geopolitical uncertainty, and shifting investor sentiment.

What It Means For Verizon And Lockheed Martin

For Verizon and Lockheed Martin, outsourcing larger portions of their retirement assets allows management teams to focus on their core businesses while relying on a specialist investment manager to navigate complex financial markets.

Pension plans and defined-contribution schemes face mounting pressure to generate competitive long-term returns while managing inflation risks, changing demographic profiles and evolving regulatory requirements. Partnering with a global asset manager provides access to dedicated research teams, sophisticated portfolio construction tools, advanced risk analytics and investment opportunities that may not be practical to manage internally.

The mandates therefore represent more than a transfer of investment responsibilities. They illustrate how corporate retirement management is becoming increasingly institutionalized, with companies placing greater emphasis on specialist expertise, scale and operational efficiency.

SpaceX Falls 35% From Peak Despite Nasdaq-100 Inclusion

By

Paul Ugbede Godwin

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July 10, 2026

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SpaceX has experienced a significant decline of approximately 35% from its recent peak, surprising many investors despite its inclusion in the Nasdaq-100 index.

Ordinarily, being added to one of the world’s most influential stock market indices is viewed as a milestone that boosts investor confidence and attracts institutional capital.

SpaceX’s recent performance highlights an important lesson in financial markets: prestigious index inclusion does not guarantee sustained share price appreciation.

The Nasdaq-100 is composed of some of the largest and most innovative non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq exchange. Companies admitted to the index often benefit from increased demand because exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and index funds tracking the Nasdaq-100 must purchase their shares.

This passive buying typically creates upward momentum in the short term. SpaceX initially enjoyed that effect, with strong buying pressure pushing its valuation to record highs shortly after its inclusion. Yet markets are driven by more than passive investment flows.

Once the excitement surrounding the index addition faded, investors began reassessing SpaceX based on its valuation, growth prospects, competitive position, and broader market conditions. Many analysts argued that the company’s stock had risen too rapidly ahead of its inclusion, leaving little room for additional upside.

As profit-taking accelerated, the share price began to retreat from its peak. Macroeconomic uncertainty also played a role. Rising interest rates, persistent inflation concerns, and changing expectations for global economic growth have prompted investors to become more selective when investing in high-growth technology companies.

Businesses trading at premium valuations often experience larger price swings because future earnings become more heavily discounted in higher-rate environments. SpaceX, despite its impressive technological leadership, has not been immune to these broader market forces.

Another contributing factor is investor sentiment surrounding ambitious growth expectations.

SpaceX operates in industries with enormous long-term potential, including reusable rockets, satellite communications through Starlink, and future space exploration initiatives. While these opportunities remain compelling, investors increasingly demand evidence that ambitious projects can translate into consistent financial returns.

High expectations can quickly become a burden when quarterly performance or future guidance fails to exceed already optimistic forecasts. Competition across the aerospace and satellite sectors is also intensifying. Governments and private companies worldwide continue investing heavily in space technologies, creating both new opportunities and stronger competitive pressures.

Maintaining leadership requires continuous innovation, substantial capital investment, and flawless execution.

Investors recognize these challenges and often adjust company valuations to reflect execution risks. Despite the recent decline, many long-term investors remain optimistic about SpaceX’s strategic position.

The company continues to dominate commercial launch services, expand the Starlink satellite network globally, and pursue ambitious projects that could reshape telecommunications and space transportation. These strengths provide a foundation for future growth, even if short-term market volatility persists.

The recent correction may also be viewed as a healthy reset following an extended rally. Financial markets frequently experience cycles of enthusiasm followed by consolidation. Such pullbacks can reduce speculative excesses and establish more sustainable valuations before the next phase of growth.

For disciplined investors, periods of weakness often present opportunities to reassess long-term fundamentals rather than react to short-term price movements. SpaceX’s 35% decline after joining the Nasdaq-100 demonstrates that market recognition alone cannot sustain elevated valuations indefinitely.

Investors reward companies that consistently execute their strategies, generate durable earnings growth, and adapt to changing economic conditions. While the company’s inclusion in the Nasdaq-100 underscores its importance within the technology sector.

Its future stock performance will depend less on index membership and more on its ability to deliver innovation, profitability, and long-term value for shareholders.

Nigerian Stocks Become World’s Best-Performing Equity Market in Dollar Terms, Overtaking South Korea

By

Samuel Nwite

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July 10, 2026

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Nigeria’s stock market has emerged as the world’s best-performing equity market in dollar terms this year, overtaking South Korea after a sharp correction in Asian technology stocks knocked the Kospi into bear market territory.

According to data compiled by Bloomberg across 92 global stock exchanges, Nigeria’s benchmark stock index has delivered a 67% return in U.S. dollar terms since the beginning of the year, narrowly surpassing South Korea’s Kospi index, which has returned 66%.

The milestone marks a dramatic turnaround for Nigeria’s equity market, which only a few years ago struggled with foreign exchange shortages, weak foreign investor participation and concerns over capital repatriation. It also highlights how global investors have increasingly rewarded markets benefiting from improving macroeconomic conditions while pulling back from sectors where valuations had become stretched.

Nigeria’s ascent comes largely because South Korea’s stock market has surrendered much of the gains that previously made it the world’s strongest-performing equity market.

The Kospi has fallen more than 20% from its June 19 record high, pushing the benchmark into technical bear market territory after investors aggressively sold semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related stocks. The selloff gathered pace as investors questioned whether the enormous spending on AI infrastructure by major technology companies could continue at its current pace and whether chipmakers’ valuations had become detached from underlying earnings prospects.

Heavyweight semiconductor companies, including SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics, have been among the biggest drags on the Korean market as investors rotated away from AI-linked stocks amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and renewed concerns over global economic growth.

South Korea’s returns have also been eroded by currency weakness. The South Korean won has depreciated about 5% against the U.S. dollar this year, making it the fourth-worst-performing currency in Asia. For international investors, that depreciation reduced the value of equity gains when converted back into dollars.

Nigeria, by contrast, has benefited from the opposite dynamic.

Stronger Naira Amplifies Investor Returns

While stock prices have rallied sharply, Nigeria’s currency has also appreciated by approximately 4% against the dollar since January. That combination of rising share prices and a strengthening currency has significantly enhanced returns for foreign investors, allowing Nigeria to outperform virtually every other equity market in dollar terms.

Dollar-denominated performance is closely watched by international portfolio managers because it captures both stock market gains and currency movements. A market can deliver strong returns in local currency but still produce weak dollar returns if its currency depreciates sharply.

Nigeria has instead benefited from improving foreign exchange liquidity, greater exchange-rate stability, and reforms introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria that have helped restore confidence in the foreign exchange market.

Those improvements have reduced one of the biggest risks previously cited by foreign investors: uncertainty over accessing foreign currency and repatriating investment proceeds.

Economic Reforms and Oil Prices Underpin Rally

The Nigerian market has also drawn support from improving macroeconomic conditions.

Economic reforms implemented by the Tinubu administration, firmer international crude oil prices, and increased confidence in the foreign exchange market have encouraged investors to return to Nigerian assets after several years of subdued participation.

Higher oil prices have improved Nigeria’s external earnings outlook and strengthened expectations for foreign exchange inflows, while ongoing reforms have bolstered investor confidence that authorities are committed to improving the functioning of financial markets.

The banking sector has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the recovery.

Financial services companies have led gains on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), supported by expectations of stronger earnings, ongoing banking sector recapitalization and improved investor sentiment toward financial stocks.

Among the market’s standout performers is Fortis Global Insurance Plc, whose shares have generated returns of approximately 1,400% in dollar terms this year, making it one of the strongest-performing stocks globally.

Unlike South Korea, where technology and semiconductor companies dominate market performance, Nigeria’s equity market has very limited direct exposure to artificial intelligence and semiconductor stocks.

That sector composition has worked in Nigeria’s favor during the recent global selloff.

While AI-related companies have come under heavy pressure amid concerns over valuations and future demand, Nigerian equities have largely avoided those headwinds because their performance is driven primarily by financial services, telecommunications, consumer goods, industrial companies and energy firms.

Investor sentiment has also been boosted by improving international recognition of Nigeria’s capital market reforms. On Wednesday, S&P Dow Jones Indices (S&P DJI) placed Nigeria on its 2027 watchlist for a potential upgrade from its current “Standalone” classification to “Frontier” market status.

The index provider said the decision reflects regulatory reforms aimed at improving market transparency, accessibility, enforcement and overall market integrity. However, S&P cautioned that Nigeria must demonstrate consistent implementation of those reforms and stronger operational resilience before any reclassification can be approved.

A return to Frontier Market status would represent an important milestone because it would restore Nigeria’s eligibility for inclusion in frontier-market benchmark indices tracked by international asset managers. Such an upgrade could unlock additional foreign portfolio inflows from passive investment funds and exchange-traded funds that automatically allocate capital to countries included in frontier market indices.

It would also broaden Nigeria’s visibility among institutional investors and reinforce confidence that reforms undertaken by regulators are producing lasting improvements in market accessibility.

Market Capitalization Surges

The latest ranking comes shortly after one of the Nigerian stock market’s strongest daily performances in recent weeks.

On July 8, 2026, the NGX All-Share Index climbed 2.27% to 242,459.98 points from 237,083.28 points. The rally added approximately N3.45 trillion to investors’ wealth, lifting the Nigerian market’s capitalization to N155.59 trillion.

The gains were led by Airtel Africa, whose shares advanced the maximum daily limit of 10% to close at N5,801.40.

The strong session pushed the market’s year-to-date return in local currency to 55.81%, a sharp rebound from 46.78% recorded on July 7, effectively reversing much of the correction that followed June’s market pullback.

With this notable shift, analysts believe the prospect of regaining Frontier Market status could provide another catalyst for sustained foreign investment if regulatory reforms continue to deliver tangible improvements in market accessibility and policy consistency.

Remittix Markets Launch Announcement Sends RTX Community Into High Alert

By

TI Partners

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July 10, 2026

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Remittix has sent the RTX community into high alert after announcing Remittix Markets, a new perpetual futures trading platform that adds a major trading layer to the growing Remittix ecosystem.

The announcement gives Remittix a broader product story as the project moves closer to launch. Until now, Remittix has been focused mainly on PayFi through its crypto-to-fiat platform. With Remittix Markets, the project is now expanding into perps trading, creating a second major vertical designed to increase ecosystem activity and give RTX holders more utility to watch.

Compared with projects that focus only on payments or only on trading, Remittix is now building across both sides of the market. The crypto-to-fiat platform remains the foundation, while Remittix Markets adds a trading product aimed at users looking for perpetual futures exposure.

Remittix Markets Adds A New Trading Focus

The Remittix Markets announcement marks a clear expansion of the RTX ecosystem.

The new platform is being built around perpetual futures trading, giving users access to a product category that has become one of the fastest-growing areas in crypto. This puts Remittix into a wider conversation around trading platforms, but with a different angle.

Many perps platforms are built purely for traders. Remittix is entering the space with an existing PayFi product already behind it. That means the project is not replacing its payments mission. Instead, it is adding Remittix Markets as another layer alongside its crypto-to-fiat infrastructure.

For RTX holders, this makes the ecosystem more active. Payments bring real-world utility, while perps trading adds market activity and platform engagement.

PERPS300 Bonus And 10% Trading Bonus

To support the Remittix Markets launch announcement, Remittix has introduced two major incentives.

Users making new RTX purchases can receive a 300% buy bonus by using promo code PERPS300. This offer gives new buyers an added reason to enter while attention around Remittix Markets is building.

Users who buy over $500 in RTX will also receive a 10% trading bonus on Remittix Markets. This bonus is designed to reward larger buyers and support early engagement with the new perps trading platform.

Together, the 300% buy bonus and 10% trading bonus create a strong promotional push around the announcement and give the community another reason to stay alert during the current launch window.

Presale Nears $32M Launch Date Reveal

Remittix has now raised $30.9 million in its presale and is moving closer to the key $32 million milestone.

Once the project reaches $32 million, the team is expected to reveal the official launch date. That milestone has become one of the biggest short-term targets for RTX holders, especially now that Remittix Markets has been announced.

Airdrop registration is also live for RTX holders. The registration process is connected to the distribution of RTX tokens purchased during the presale. Holders can register through the official Remittix site by connecting their wallet, submitting their wallet address and completing the registration page.

Users should only use official Remittix links and avoid unofficial websites, fake direct messages or unknown accounts claiming to offer airdrop access.

Crypto-To-Fiat Platform Fully Developed

The Remittix crypto-to-fiat platform is now fully developed and has already been tested by members of the community.

The platform is designed to let users send crypto while recipients receive fiat directly into bank accounts. This remains the core PayFi product behind Remittix and gives the project a practical payments use case.

With Remittix Markets now announced, the RTX ecosystem is expanding across two major pillars: crypto-to-fiat payments and perpetual futures trading. That combination is why the latest launch announcement has pushed the RTX community into high alert.

Discover the future of PayFi with Remittix by checking out their project here:

Website: https://remittixpresale.io

Airdrop Registration: https://airdrop.remittixpresale.io

FAQ

What is Remittix Markets?
Remittix Markets is the new perpetual futures trading platform being added to the RTX ecosystem alongside the project’s crypto-to-fiat PayFi platform.

What bonuses are available with Remittix Markets?
Users can receive a 300% buy bonus on new RTX purchases with promo code PERPS300, plus a 10% trading bonus on Remittix Markets for RTX buys over $500.

When will Remittix reveal its launch date?
Remittix has raised $30.9 million in its presale, and the official launch date is expected to be revealed once the project reaches the $32 million milestone.

Global Markets Rotate Away From Gold as ETF Outflows Surge

By

Paul Ugbede Godwin

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July 9, 2026

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Gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have experienced a significant wave of outflows, with investors withdrawing an estimated $8.9 billion as selling pressure spread across every major region.

The broad-based retreat highlights a notable shift in market sentiment after a prolonged period in which gold was viewed as one of the safest assets during economic uncertainty. While the precious metal remains an important component of diversified investment portfolios.

Recent developments suggest that many institutional and retail investors are reassessing their positions in response to changing macroeconomic conditions. Gold has traditionally served as a hedge against inflation, geopolitical instability, and financial market volatility.

During periods of uncertainty, demand for gold-backed ETFs typically rises because they provide investors with an efficient and liquid way to gain exposure to the precious metal without physically owning bullion.

As economic expectations evolve and investors become more optimistic about alternative asset classes, capital often rotates away from defensive investments like gold. The latest $8.9 billion in ETF outflows reflects this changing landscape.

Unlike previous episodes in which withdrawals were concentrated in a single market, this round of selling occurred across North America, Europe, Asia, and other regions. Such synchronized selling indicates that the trend is driven by global investment sentiment rather than isolated regional concerns.

Rising real interest rates increase the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets such as gold. When government bonds and other fixed-income securities offer attractive returns, investors often prefer those income-generating investments over precious metals.

At the same time, expectations surrounding central bank monetary policy continue to influence capital flows, with markets closely watching inflation data and interest rate decisions.

Another contributing factor is renewed confidence in equity markets and risk assets. Strong corporate earnings, improving economic indicators, and optimism surrounding artificial intelligence, technology, and infrastructure investments have encouraged investors to shift capital toward assets with higher growth potential.

This risk-on environment naturally reduces demand for traditional safe-haven investments. The rise of digital assets has also added a new dimension to portfolio allocation. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are increasingly viewed by some investors as alternative stores of value, although they remain significantly more volatile than gold.

As institutional adoption of digital assets expands and cryptocurrency investment products become more accessible, a portion of capital that once flowed into gold may now be finding its way into digital markets. Despite the recent withdrawals, gold’s long-term investment thesis remains intact.

Central banks around the world continue to hold substantial gold reserves, and many have increased their purchases in recent years as part of broader reserve diversification strategies. Geopolitical tensions, persistent inflation risks, and concerns over sovereign debt levels could quickly restore demand for gold if market conditions deteriorate.

Investors should also recognize that ETF flows often reflect short-term sentiment rather than long-term fundamentals. Periods of heavy outflows have historically been followed by renewed inflows when uncertainty returns. Gold’s unique role as a portfolio diversifier has not disappeared, even if its popularity fluctuates with changing economic cycles.

The $8.9 billion withdrawn from gold ETFs illustrates how quickly investor preferences can change in response to evolving market conditions. While confidence in equities and other growth-oriented investments currently dominates global markets, gold remains a cornerstone of defensive investing.

Whether the recent outflows represent a temporary rotation or the beginning of a longer trend will largely depend on inflation, interest rates, geopolitical developments, and the broader outlook for the global economy.