Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

Summary Description
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) is a global provider of investment banking, securities, and investment management services to corporations, financial institutions, governments, and high-net-worth individuals. Goldman Sachs operates through three business segments: Trading and Principle Investments, Asset Management and Securities Services, and Investment Banking.

• Trading and Principle Investments
  The Trading Principle Investments is Goldman Sachs' largest segment, comprising 78% ($662B) of total assets. The market-making arm of Goldman Sachs is one of the largest sitting on the New York Stock Exchange. It engages in market making activities in all aspects of financial securities, derivatives, real estate, and private equity investing and subordinate lending.


• Asset Management and Securities Services
  Goldman Sachs' Asset Management and Securities Services segment offers asset management services comprising of investment advisory services, financial planning, and investment products; management of merchant banking funds; and securities services, such as prime brokerage, financial services, and securities lending.


• Investment Banking
  Goldman Sachs' Investment Banking segment, which accounts for an estimated 25% of revenues, is comprised of two components: Financial Advisory and Underwriting. Financial Advisory includes advisory services with respect to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructuring, and spin-offs. Underwriting includes both equity underwriting and debt underwriting, public and private.

Key Competitors
Morgan Stanley
Citigroup, Incorporated
JPMorgan Chase & Company
Bank of America Corporation

Summary Financials

GS 5-day Stock Price - Yahoo! Finance

Reason to Own

• Arguably most prestigious and profitable bank on Wall Street

Reasons to Sell

• Large amount of equity highly exposed to derivative risk
• China urging state-owned enterprises to default on existing commodity derivatives

Recent News

SEC accuses Goldman Sachs of defrauding investors - Yahoo! Finance, April 20th 2010