Goldman Sachs tops revenue estimates on better-than-expected asset management results

Goldman Sachs on Tuesday posted fourth-quarter results that topped analysts' expectations on better-than-expected asset management revenue.

Here's what the company reported versus what Wall Street analysts surveyed by LSEG, formerly known as Refinitiv, expected:

Wall Street analysts had expected per share earnings of $3.51, but it wasn't immediately clear if that was comparable to reported earnings.

Goldman said earnings for the quarter jumped 51% to $2.01 billion, or $5.48 per share; a year ago, the bank was weighed down by loan loss provisions and surging expenses.

Net revenues were $11.32 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023, 7% higher than the fourth quarter of 2022 and 4% lower than the third quarter of 2023. The increase compared with the fourth quarter of 2022 reflected higher net revenues in Asset & Wealth Management and Platform Solutions, partially offset by lower net revenues in Global Banking & Markets.

Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon has endured a tough year, thanks to dormant capital markets and strategic missteps.

But hope is building that Goldman can turn a corner after pivoting away from Solomon's failed consumer banking efforts.

Goldman's core activities of investment banking and trading may not recover in the fourth quarter, but analysts will want to hear about the possibility of a rebound in 2024. Early signs are that corporations that have waited on the sidelines to acquire competitors or raise funds may finally be ready to act this year.

Unlike more diversified rivals, Goldman gets most of its revenue from Wall Street. That can lead to outsized returns during boom times and underperformance when markets don't cooperate.

On Friday, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup and Wells Fargo each posted results that were marred by a litany of one-time items.

This story is developing. Please check back for updates.