Goldman Sachs is a storied financial institution, founded in 1869 and best known for its role as a leading global investment bank... Show more
Goldman Sachs entered the third quarter of 2026 against a complicated backdrop: rising bond yields, renewed geopolitical tension, and a Federal Reserve rate increase in September. Coming off a record second quarter, investors were watching closely to see whether momentum in trading and dealmaking could hold up. The results matter beyond a single quarter because they reflect the health of Wall Street's core profit engines, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A) advisory, underwriting, and market-making. As a bellwether for capital markets activity, Goldman's quarterly earnings provide a read on corporate confidence and risk appetite across the broader economy.
For the three months ended September 30, 2026, Goldman Sachs reported net revenues of $18.68 billion, up 23% from $15.18 billion a year earlier and ahead of the roughly $16.86 billion consensus. Net earnings rose 29% to $5.29 billion, with diluted EPS of $17.01 compared with $12.25 in the prior-year period. Results included an accelerated charitable contribution that reduced EPS by about $1.00.
Global Banking & Markets revenue climbed 32% to $13.46 billion. Equities was the standout, up 72% to $6.44 billion on stronger financing and intermediation, including record financing revenue. Investment banking fees rose 21% to $3.22 billion, led by record advisory revenue of $1.65 billion. Fixed Income, Currencies and Commodities (FICC) revenue was essentially flat at $3.47 billion.
Asset & Wealth Management revenue increased 14% to $5.05 billion, supported by record management and other fees of $3.59 billion. Platform Solutions revenue fell 72% to $170 million, reflecting markdowns tied to the Apple Card loan portfolio. Operating expenses rose 20% to $11.31 billion, and the provision for credit losses was $368 million.
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Goldman Sachs shares rose modestly in pre-market trading following the release, gaining roughly 1.5% to 3% as investors weighed a strong top- and bottom-line beat against a sequential decline from the second quarter's record results. The equities franchise was the clearest positive surprise, while FICC revenue came in slightly below some expectations amid higher Treasury yields. Sentiment was also supported by the 25% dividend increase, signaling management confidence in the durability of earnings. Higher operating expenses and an elevated provision for credit losses were noted as areas of caution, but the overall reaction suggested investors viewed the quarter as affirmatively strong rather than transformative.
Looking ahead, Goldman Sachs pointed to several themes that could shape results in coming quarters. Financing activities have become a larger and more durable component of the markets business, and management expects this shift to support a more stable revenue base than traditional trading and advisory cycles alone.
In asset and wealth management, the firm raised its full-year alternatives fundraising target to roughly $150 billion, up from an earlier goal of $75 billion to $100 billion. Wealth management long-term net inflows are annualizing at about 12%, well above the firm's 5% target, underscoring momentum in recurring-fee revenue.
Management also highlighted a potentially significant long-term opportunity in financing the build-out of artificial intelligence infrastructure, noting that U.S. data center investment could require more than $10 trillion through 2032. At the same time, investors should watch credit quality, expense discipline, and the trajectory of the investment banking backlog, which declined sequentially, as well as how elevated interest rates continue to affect trading and deal activity.
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