Â鶹´«Ã½

Skip to main content

Goldman's trading income cushions profit hit from ebbing deals

The logo for Goldman Sachs appears above a trading post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, on July 13, 2021. (Richard Drew / AP) The logo for Goldman Sachs appears above a trading post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, on July 13, 2021. (Richard Drew / AP)
Share

Goldman Sachs Group Inc on Monday reported a smaller-than-expected 48% slump in second-quarter profit, buffered by the strength in its fixed-income trading as investors realigned their bets amid market volatility.

It shares rose 3.7% as revenue at the global markets unit, which houses Goldman's trading desks, jumped 32% to $6.47 billion, with fixed income, commodities and trading revenue surging 55% and equities revenue adding 11%.

This helped the bank offset a hit to investment banking business due to a plunge in underwriting activity and deals.

Its quarterly report rounds off earnings from big banks and mirrors peers JPMorgan Chase & Co and Morgan Stanley, both of which saw weak revenue from investment banking.

Goldman's revenue from the segment fell 41% to US$2.14 billion in the quarter. Revenue from both equity and debt underwriting fell along with those from advising on stock listings and mergers and acquisitions.

Runaway inflation and rising borrowing costs to stamp it out have rattled global financial markets, forcing companies to curb their appetite for deals and go slow in raising cash through stock or debt offerings.

In the second quarter, the global market for initial public offerings saw 305 deals raising $40.6 billion, down 65% from last year, according to data from Ernst & Young's report.

The value of announced deals dropped 25.5% year-on-year to $1 trillion in the quarter with M&A activity in the United States plunging 40%, according to Dealogic data.

"The banks news certainly was very poor for the most part," said Rick Meckler, partner at Cherry Lane Investments.

"It was not unexpected when you consider that investment banking income is really falling off the table and that some of the banks have taken large credit reserves."

Peer JPMorgan Chase & Co's JPM.N investment banking revenue had slumped 61% to $1.4 billion, mainly due to a 54% drop in fees, while Morgan Stanley MS.N had reported a 55% slide in revenue from the segment.

Goldman's net revenue fell 23% to $11.86 billion for the second quarter and profit nearly halved to $2.8 billion, or $7.73 per share.

Asset management was another weak spot for Goldman, with net revenue of $1.08 billion, 79% lower than the second quarter of 2021.

CONSUMER FOCUS

Goldman's Chief Executive David Solomon has been working to reduce the bank's reliance on volatile trading and investment banking by shifting focus to Marcus, its consumer banking unit.

Consumer and wealth management recorded a 25% jump in net revenues to $2.18 billion, driven by higher management fees and credit card balances.

However, if the U.S. Federal Reserve further raises the borrowing cost to a level that restricts consumer spending, the demand for loans could take a hit.

Goldman kept aside $667 million to cover credit losses, compared with a net benefit of $92 million in the same period a year ago.

The U.S. central bank has been trying curb a relentless surge in prices and has committed to a "soft landing." But market participants worry that policymakers will need to engineer a recession to bring inflation under control.

In June, the Fed raised its benchmark federal funds rate by 75 basis points, the biggest hike since 1994, as inflation unexpectedly rose despite expectations it had peaked.

Goldman's net interest income jumped 6% to $1.73 billion.

Reporting by Saeed Azhar in New York, Niket Nishant and Noor Zainab Hussain in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Bansari Mayur Kamdar; Editing by Arun Koyyur

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

A team of tornado experts is heading to Fergus, Ont. after a storm ripped through the area Sunday night.

Why brain aging can vary dramatically between people

Researchers are uncovering deeper insights into how the human brain ages and what factors may be tied to healthier cognitive aging, including exercising, avoiding tobacco, speaking a second language or even playing a musical instrument.

Local Spotlight

For the second year in a row, the ‘Gift-a-Family’ campaign is hoping to make the holidays happier for children and families in need throughout Barrie.

Some of the most prolific photographers behind CTV Skywatch Pics of the Day use the medium for fun, therapy, and connection.

A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.

As Connor Nijsse prepared to remove some old drywall during his garage renovation, he feared the worst.

A group of women in Chester, N.S., has been busy on the weekends making quilts – not for themselves, but for those in need.

A Vancouver artist whose streetside singing led to a chance encounter with one of the world's biggest musicians is encouraging aspiring performers to try their hand at busking.

Ten-thousand hand-knit poppies were taken from the Sanctuary Arts Centre and displayed on the fence surrounding the Dartmouth Cenotaph on Monday.

A Vancouver man is saying goodbye to his nine-to-five and embarking on a road trip from the Canadian Arctic to Antarctica.

Stay Connected