2022 was a tumultuous year. Equity markets dropped precipitously, interest rates rose at the fastest pace in decades and commodity prices gyrated in response to high inflation and geopolitical tensions. The Investment Strategy Group within Goldman Sachs Wealth Management expects 2023 to be less turbulent for markets, with inflation moderating and major central banks approaching the end of their tightening cycles. Yet there is still a fog of uncertainty facing investors. 

Global growth slowed through 2022 on a diminishing reopening boost, fiscal and monetary tightening, China’s Covid restrictions and property slump, and the Russia-Ukraine war. Goldman Sachs Research analysts expect global growth of just 1.8% in 2023, as US resilience contrasts with a European recession and a bumpy reopening in China. 

The key macroeconomic question of the year has been whether inflationary overheating can be reversed without a recession. Analysis from Goldman Sachs Research economists suggests that the answer is yes—an extended period of below-potential growth can gradually reverse labor market overheating and bring down wage growth and ultimately inflation, providing a feasible if challenging path to a soft landing.

Goldmans Sachs Research economists maintain their long-held view that the energy crisis will push the European economy into recession this winter, as surveys and production data point to a sizeable slowing in energy-intensive industries, and high inflation will reduce real household incomes. But they now see a shallower recession as the hard data have remained surprisingly resilient, the rebalancing of the gas market has reduced the risk of energy rationing and governments have provided significant fiscal support.    

Economic growth is likely to start 2023 on the weak side across most of the Asia-Pacific, according to Goldman Sachs Research economists, as a fading reopening boost, slowing global manufacturing cycle, and past monetary tightening weigh on activity. As these headwinds fade and China’s reopening gets underway, they expect growth to reaccelerate. While most of our economists’ GDP forecasts are a little below consensus for 2023 as a whole, they are more positive on second-half growth, particularly in China. 

After a very challenging 2022, Goldman Sachs Research economists expect China GDP growth to accelerate from 3.0% this year to 4.5% next year on the back of China’s potential exit from its zero-Covid policy, which they assume will start shortly after the “Two Sessions” in March. China’s reopening would imply a strong consumption rebound, firming core inflation, and gradually normalizing cyclical policies in 2023.