NEW YORK - The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE: GS) today reported net earnings of US$887 million, or US$1.76 per diluted share, for its fiscal first quarter ended February 25, 2000.
Earnings per diluted share were 57% above pro forma earnings per diluted share of US$1.12 for the same 1999 quarter, and 14% higher than pro forma results of US$1.54 for the 1999 fourth quarter. Pro forma earnings for 1999 assume that the firm’s incorporation and other related transactions had occurred at the beginning of 1999. Annualized return on average stockholders’ equity in the first quarter was 33%.
Core earnings per diluted share were US$1.81 for the first quarter compared to pro forma per share results of US$1.60 in the prior quarter. Core earnings per diluted share exclude the amortization of the employee initial public offering awards and include all of the related restricted stock units issued in connection with the initial public offering in common shares outstanding.
Business Highlights
“These first quarter results, which were truly excellent, demonstrate the earnings and growth potential of Goldman Sachs’ global franchise,” said Henry M. Paulson, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “While the firm clearly benefited during the quarter from strong market conditions, the keys to our long-term success continue to be the ability to lead rather than follow changes in our industry and our single-minded commitment to creating value for clients and, as a result, for our shareholders.”
Business Segments
Global Capital Markets
Net revenues in Global Capital Markets, which includes Investment Banking and Trading and Principal Investments, were US$3.3 billion, a 30% increase from the prior quarter and 47% above last year’s first quarter.
Investment Banking
Investment Banking generated net revenues of US$1.2 billion, a 5% decrease from the record prior quarter and 37% above last year’s first quarter. Underwriting revenues increased significantly over the same period in 1999 as strong investor demand in global equity markets continued to create a favorable environment for new issue activity. Net revenues in the Financial Advisory business increased 12% over the same period in 1999, resulting from an active global mergers and acquisitions market and an increase in the number of large transactions. Net revenue growth was particularly strong in the high technology and communications, media and entertainment sectors as compared with the first quarter of 1999. Net revenues increased in all major regions compared to the first quarter of 1999.
Trading and Principal Investments
Net revenues in Trading and Principal Investments were US$2.1 billion for the quarter, significantly above both the fourth quarter of 1999 and last year’s first quarter. FICC net revenues increased 16% compared to the first quarter of 1999, primarily due to increased customer activity in fixed income derivatives, partially offset by a reduction in net revenues from the firm’s government bond business. Net revenues in Equities increased substantially over the same 1999 period, primarily due to favorable conditions in global equity markets that resulted in higher transaction volumes in the firm’s global shares businesses, particularly in Europe, and increased customer flow in equity derivatives. Net revenues in Principal Investments increased substantially over the same 1999 period, primarily due to mark-to-market gains on certain of the firm’s merchant banking investments in the high technology and telecommunications sectors.
Asset Management and Securities Services
Net revenues in Asset Management and Securities Services were US$1.2 billion, an increase of 27% over the fourth quarter and 59% above the same prior year period. Asset Management revenues increased 51% over last year’s first quarter, primarily reflecting a 33% increase in average assets under management as well as favorable changes in the composition of assets managed. Securities Services net revenues were 15% higher than the same 1999 period, primarily due to growth in the firm’s prime brokerage business and increased customer balances in securities lending and margin lending. Commissions nearly doubled compared to the same prior year period as healthy global equity markets led worldwide transaction volumes to record levels. Revenues from the increased share of gains from the firm’s merchant banking funds also contributed to the growth in Commissions.
Expenses
Operating expenses were US$3.0 billion for the quarter, up 44% from the same pro forma period in 1999, primarily reflecting increased compensation and benefits commensurate with higher net revenue levels. The ratio of compensation and benefits to net revenues was 50% for the first quarter of 2000. Non-compensation-related expenses rose 23% compared to the same period in 1999, primarily due to costs associated with higher employment levels, global expansion and growth in business activity. The firm’s effective tax rate for the first quarter was 40%.
Capital
As of February 25, 2000, total capital was US$33.8 billion, consisting of US$11.1 billion in stockholders’ equity and US$22.7 billion in long-term debt. Book value per share was US$22.90, based on common shares outstanding, including restricted stock units granted to employees with no future service requirements, of 484,613,335 at period end.
Dividend
On March 20, 2000, the Board of Directors of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (the Board) declared a dividend of US$0.12 per share to be paid on May 25, 2000, to voting and nonvoting common shareholders of record on April 24, 2000.
Share Repurchase Program
On March 20, 2000, the Board approved a share repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of up to 15 million shares of the firm’s common stock. The repurchase program will be effected from time to time, depending on market conditions, through open market purchases and privately negotiated transactions.
Goldman Sachs is a leading global investment banking and securities firm that provides a wide range of services worldwide to a substantial and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and high-net-worth individuals. Founded in 1869, it is one of the oldest and largest investment banking firms. The firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices in London, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Hong Kong and other major financial centers around the world.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release may constitute “forward-looking statements.” These forward-looking statements represent only the firm’s belief regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of its control. For a discussion of some of the risks and factors that could affect the firm’s future results, see “Business - Certain Factors That May Affect Our Business” in the firm’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 26, 1999.
Financial Data
Financial data are available in a spreadsheet [Microsoft® Excel®, 90KB].
Printable Version
You may also wish to view a printable version [PDF, 28KB] of the press release and financial data.
Contacts
Investor Contact:
John Andrews
Tel: 1-212-357-2674
Media Contact:
Kate Baum
Tel: 1-212-902-5400
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