Goldman Sachs posts strong Q2 profits on debt underwriting and fixed-income trading surge
debt underwriting and a strong performance in its fixed-income trading business.
Earnings were $3.04 billion, or $8.62 per share, for the three months ended June 30, compared with $1.22 billion, or $3.08 per share, a year earlier, the bank said on Monday.
«We are pleased with our solid second quarter results and our overall performance in the first half of the year, reflecting strong year-on-year growth in both Global Banking & Markets and Asset & Wealth Management,» CEO David Solomon said in a statement.
The bank's earnings in the year-ago quarter were hit by writedowns related to GreenSky, its former fintech business that Goldman has since sold.
The resilience of the U.S. economy has given corporate executives the confidence to pursue acquisitions, debt sales and stock offerings.
Goldman's investment banking fees rose 21% to $1.73 billion in the quarter, helped by higher fees earned from debt and stock underwriting and advising on mergers and acquisitions (M&As).
Revenue from fixed income, currency and commodities (FICC) trading rose 17%, boosted by FICC financing, which makes loans to institutional investors and others. Equities trading revenue increased 7%.
JPMorgan Chase and Jefferies Financial also recorded a strong performance in their investment banking divisions. Global investment banking revenue climbed 17% to $41.6 billion in the first half of the year, Dealogic data showed.
After a foray into consumer banking flopped, Goldman has refocused on its traditional mainstays — investment banking and
