Summary
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. reported a net earnings decrease of 42% to $4.29 billion for 2017, translating to diluted earnings per share of $9.01, down from $16.29 in 2016. This significant decline was primarily attributed to a substantial $4.40 billion income tax expense recorded in the fourth quarter of 2017 related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Excluding this tax impact, diluted earnings per share would have been $19.76 and return on average common shareholders' equity would have been 10.8%. Despite the headline earnings drop, net revenues increased by 5% to $32.07 billion, driven by strong performance in Investing & Lending and growth in Investment Banking and Investment Management, which offset a decline in Institutional Client Services, particularly Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities (FICC) client execution due to low market volatility. The company returned $7.90 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends.
Financial Highlights
37 data points| Interest Expense | $10.18B |
| Net Income | $4.29B |
| EPS (Basic) | $9.12 |
| EPS (Diluted) | $9.01 |
| Shares Outstanding (Basic) | 401.60M |
| Shares Outstanding (Diluted) | 409.10M |
Key Highlights
- 1Net earnings for 2017 decreased by 42% to $4.29 billion ($9.01 per diluted share) compared to $7.40 billion ($16.29 per diluted share) in 2016, largely due to a $4.40 billion tax expense related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
- 2Excluding the tax impact, net earnings applicable to common shareholders were $8.09 billion, and diluted EPS was $19.76, with a return on average common shareholders' equity of 10.8%.
- 3Net revenues increased by 5% to $32.07 billion, driven by a 61% increase in Investing & Lending net revenues ($6.58 billion) and an 18% rise in Investment Banking net revenues ($7.37 billion).
- 4Institutional Client Services net revenues decreased by 18% to $11.90 billion, primarily due to a 30% decline in FICC Client Execution, reflecting lower client activity and challenging market-making conditions characterized by low volatility.
- 5Operating expenses increased by 3% to $20.94 billion, with compensation and benefits up 2% to $11.85 billion, while non-compensation expenses rose 5% due to investments in growth initiatives.
- 6The firm returned $7.90 billion to common shareholders in 2017 through $6.72 billion in share repurchases and $1.18 billion in dividends.
- 7Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratios remained strong, with the Basel III Advanced approach ratio at 10.9% as of December 31, 2017.