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Goldman Sachs is one of the largest investment banks in the world. It was founded in 1869 by Marcus Goldman.
The company's net worth is a staggering $121 billion. This makes it one of the most valuable companies globally. Goldman Sachs has a long history of financial success, dating back to the 19th century.
Goldman Sachs is a multinational financial services company with operations in over 30 countries.
Financial Data
Goldman Sachs has a market cap of $190.99 billion, making it a significant player in the financial industry. The company's net worth is substantial, with a net cash position of $294.30 billion.
The company's cash and cash equivalents total $1.04 trillion, while its total debt stands at $741.73 billion. This gives Goldman Sachs a net cash position of $294.30 billion or $893.93 per share. The company's book value is $121.64 billion, with a book value per share of $327.61.
Here's a breakdown of Goldman Sachs' financial data:
What Is
Goldman Sachs is a financial powerhouse that has been around since 1869, founded by Marcus Goldman on the bustling streets of Manhattan.
It initially made its mark by pioneering commercial paper in the United States, providing a vital source of liquidity in the burgeoning economy.
Goldman Sachs serves a diverse clientele that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments, and high-net-worth individuals.
The firm's asset management division generates revenue by collecting fees for managing client assets, steering through volatile market conditions with a blend of experience and innovation.
Goldman Sachs leverages its vast expertise in market-making to thrive in the financial markets, buying and selling securities to provide liquidity and facilitating trades for clients.
It has an expansive global reach, enabling it to capitalize on opportunities in both emerging and developed markets.
Through its multifaceted operations, Goldman Sachs not only generates substantial profits but also leaves an indelible impact on the financial architecture of the global economy.
Total Valuation
Goldman Sachs has a market cap of $190.99 billion, making it a significant player in the financial industry.
The company's enterprise value is -$104.51 billion, which is a notable aspect of its financial standing.
Goldman Sachs' market capitalization is a key indicator of its size and influence in the market.
Here's a comparison of Goldman Sachs' market cap and enterprise value:
In terms of its financial health, Goldman Sachs has a net cash position of $294.30 billion, which is a significant asset for the company.
This net cash position is derived from the company's cash and cash equivalents of $1.04 trillion, minus its total debt of $741.73 billion.
Financial Performance
Goldman Sachs reported a revenue of $49.39 billion in the last 12 months, with profits of $11.42 billion.
Their earnings per share was a significant $34.06, indicating a strong financial performance. The company's gross profit was $41.11 billion, while their operating income was $15.03 billion.
Their pretax income was $14.16 billion, and net income was $11.42 billion. It's worth noting that Goldman Sachs doesn't have a record of stock splits.
Here's a breakdown of their key financial performance metrics:
Their margins were also impressive, with a gross margin of 83.24%, operating margin of 30.43%, and profit margin of 24.65%.
Key Information
Goldman Sachs was founded in September 1869 by Marcus Goldman.
The bank's current CEO is David M. Solomon, who has been leading the company since.
Goldman Sachs is involved in financial services, banking, and asset management.
The company's net worth is a staggering $163.45 billion.
Goldman Sachs releases its annual financial reports in late March each year.
The bank's stock ticker is GS on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
The dividend yield for Goldman Sachs is 2.18%.
Goldman Sachs reported $11.32 billion of sales and $5.48 earnings per share in the fourth quarter of 2023.
The company's shares gained less than 1% on the bumper earnings, trading less than 10% below their all-time high.
Goldman Sachs' $46.5 billion in sales marked its worst year since 2020.
The bank's $8.52 billion in net income capped its least profitable year since 2019.
Goldman's highly profitable investment banking division had a tough stretch in 2023, with its $6.2 billion in investment banking revenues and $3.3 billion in mergers and acquisitions strategic advisory revenues its worst respective numbers since 2013 and 2020.
Timeline
Goldman Sachs's journey began in 1869 when Marcus Goldman pioneered the commercial paper business. The company established relationships with financial firms in major European capitals, providing services such as foreign exchange and letters of credit.
By 1896, Goldman Sachs was listed on the New York Stock Exchange and had become a leader in commercial paper sales. It also expanded its business to include investment banking, making equity and debt securities more attractive to investors.
In the early 1900s, the firm established offices in major cities across the US, including Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, and Philadelphia. By 1922, Goldman Sachs was a national firm with a rapidly expanding underwriting business.
The company faced challenges during the Great Depression and World War II, but by the late 1950s, it had introduced block trading and formed a New Business Department. Goldman Sachs also acted as a managing underwriter for large IPOs and bond issues, including Ford's $657 million IPO and Sears Roebuck's $350 million debenture offering.
In 2020, Goldman Sachs held its first Investor Day and laid out a comprehensive strategy to strengthen and expand its operations. Despite the pandemic, the company capitalized on market volatility, generating revenue of $50 billion in 2020 and a record $60 billion in 2021.
1960-1989: Expands Globally
Goldman Sachs expanded its operations internationally by the 80s, opening offices in London, Tokyo, and Zurich.
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The firm launched new financial products and pioneered innovative risk management strategies, including the use of futures, options, and swaps.
In 1981, Goldman Sachs acquired J. Aron & Company, a commodities trading firm, to strengthen its position in the global financial services industry.
A landmark partnership deal with Japanese conglomerate Sumitomo Bank Ltd in 1986 brought in a $500 million investment.
By the end of the 80s, Goldman Sachs had joined the Tokyo Stock Exchange, launched equities trading in Tokyo, and opened a banking subsidiary in Japan, increasing its reach in Europe and Japan.
2010-2019: Consumer Banking Ventures
Goldman Sachs made a significant push into consumer banking between 2010 and 2019. This strategic growth led to the opening of new offices in various locations around the world, including Mumbai, Sao Paulo, and Dubai.
The bank's expansion into consumer banking also led to the launch of new digital services, such as Marcus in 2016, which offered personal loans, online deposits, and other unique digital banking services. Marcus was a key development in Goldman Sachs' consumer banking strategy.
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In 2013, Goldman Sachs acquired the stable value business of Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management, with total assets under supervision of $21.6 billion. This acquisition aimed to complement the firm's existing stable value business and leverage new talent.
Here are some key developments in Goldman Sachs' consumer banking ventures between 2010 and 2019:
- The launch of Marquee in 2014 for advanced trading and risk management.
- The launch of Marcus in 2016 to break into consumer banking.
- A partnership with Apple to launch Apple Card in 2019.
Goldman Sachs also made key strategic acquisitions to fuel its growth, including fintech startups Honest and Clarity Money, Boyd Corporation for $3 billion, and United Capital Financial Advisers LLC for $750 million.
2020-Present: Recalibrates
In January 2020, Goldman Sachs held its first Investor Day and laid out a comprehensive strategy to strengthen and expand its operations.
The company invested in its core business and pursued strategic growth opportunities across its segments.
Goldman Sachs capitalized on market volatility, raking in revenue of $50 billion in 2020.
A record $60 billion in revenue was achieved in 2021, despite the challenging operating environment created by the global pandemic.
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In August 2021, Goldman Sachs acquired NN Investment Partners for $1.9 billion from NN Group.
This acquisition expanded Goldman Sachs's European business and brought assets under supervision in the region to over $600 billion.
The company continued to make strategic investments in its technology and acquisitions to strengthen its long-term position.
However, this strained the bank's finances and resulted in mounting losses, particularly in its consumer segment.
Goldman Sachs announced changes to its consumer business in the third quarter of 2022, effectively dismantling Marcus.
CEO David Solomon acknowledged the challenges with Goldman Sachs's consumer business in a January 2023 interview with CNBC.
The bank missed earnings estimates in 2023, the only one among the six major Wall Street banks to do so.
Goldman Sachs incurred a $485 million write-down for its real-estate holdings and a $504 million loss related to the purchase of GreenSky in 2023.
By Q2 2024, a recovery was evident, with net earnings hitting $3.04 billion, an increase of 150% year-over-year.
Controversies
Goldman Sachs has been linked to several costly and damaging controversies over the years.
The bank played a key role in the 2008 financial crisis by creating and selling mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations.
Goldman Sachs's stellar reputation was damaged, and shares plummeted by over 75% from over $200 in late 2007 to below $50 by the end of 2008.
Revenue also fell by 56% from a peak of $43 billion to just $19 billion, and profits declined sharply, with a 58% drop in net earnings between 2007 to 2008.
The firm paid a $550 million settlement in July 2010, for misleading its investors and profiting from the collapse of the mortgage market during the 2007–2008 financial crisis.
Goldman Sachs acknowledged that its marketing materials for the subprime product contained incomplete information and committed to reforming its business practices.
The bank agreed to pay more than $5 billion to resolve allegations that it misled investors over residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) in the lead-up to the 2008 financial crisis.
In 2020, Goldman Sachs agreed to pay Malaysia $3.9 billion, and the US Government a further $2.9 billion, for its involvement in a corruption scandal involving a Malaysian investment fund, known as 1MDB.
CEO David Solomon and other top executives took massive pay cuts in the wake of the scandal, while the Board considered the 1MDB matter an institutional and leadership failure.
Goldman Sachs agreed to pay $215 million to resolve claims of pay discrimination and a “boys club” work culture that hindered the advancement of female employees.
What Can We Learn?
Goldman Sachs's enduring competitive edge is a testament to the power of a strong brand and reputation, allowing it to attract and retain clients even in turbulent times.
The bank's resilience in the face of geopolitical uncertainties and market fluctuations highlights the importance of having a global presence and diversified business model.
Over $17.7 billion in penalties since 2000 demonstrate the far-reaching impact of scandals on Goldman Sachs's net worth and reputation.
Strong leadership and culture have historically been key drivers of Goldman Sachs's net worth growth, enabling the bank to navigate market challenges and maximize shareholder value.
Poor leadership has tarnished the company's reputation as a top employer, cost the company talent, and resulted in strategic missteps that have impacted the bank's margins, serving as a stark reminder of the critical role leadership plays.
The bank's unsuccessful foray into consumer banking is a lesson in the importance of truly understanding the needs of consumers and tailoring services accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Goldman Sachs?
Goldman Sachs is primarily owned by institutional investors, with a smaller percentage held by insiders and public companies, as well as individual investors. The majority of its stock is held by institutional investors, accounting for approximately 61%.
Sources
- https://stockanalysis.com/stocks/gs/statistics/
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2024/01/16/goldman-sachs-posts-worst-annual-profit-in-4-years-heres-why/
- https://markets.ft.com/data/equities/tearsheet/profile
- https://www.business2community.com/statistics-pages/goldman-sachs-net-worth
- https://www.alphaspread.com/security/nyse/gs/financials/balance-sheet/cash-equivalents
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