Goldman Sachs Reports Record Net Earnings for 2000; Annual Net Revenues Increase 24%
Net earnings, including the SLK charge, were US$3.07 billion, or US$6.00 per diluted share for the full year, and US$601 million, or US$1.16 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter.
Core earnings per diluted share were US$6.61 for the full year of 2000, 20% higher than 1999, and US$1.58 for the fourth quarter, slightly below the same 1999 pro forma period. 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. Core earnings per diluted share exclude the SLK charge.
Business Highlights
- On October 31, 2000, the firm completed its combination with SLK, a leader in securities clearing and execution, floor-based market making and off-floor market making.
- Goldman Sachs maintained its leading investment banking position, ranking first in worldwide, U.S. and European mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings and public stock offerings. (1)
- Investment Banking generated record annual net revenues of US$5.37 billion, 23% higher than 1999.
- The firm's Equities trading business achieved record annual net revenues of US$3.49 billion, 78% higher than 1999.
- Asset Management and Securities Services exhibited strong growth as annual net revenues grew 43%, compared to 1999, to US$4.59 billion.
- Assets under management grew 14% to US$294 billion during the year, with net inflows of US$40 billion.
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"Our results for the year speak to the strength, breadth and market leadership of our business globally," said Henry M. Paulson, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Although the markets continue to be slower for a number of our businesses, we are cautiously optimistic about the prospects for our business in 2001, and confident of the significant global growth opportunities of the coming years."
(1)Thomson Financial Securities Data - January 1, 2000 through November 24, 2000
Business Segments
Global Capital Markets
Net revenues in Global Capital Markets, which includes Investment Banking and Trading and Principal Investments, were US$12.0 billion for the full year, an 18% increase over 1999. Net revenues for the fourth quarter were US$2.25 billion, 12% below the fourth quarter of 1999 and 35% lower than the third quarter of 2000.
Investment Banking
Full Year
Investment Banking generated record net revenues of US$5.37 billion, a 23% increase over 1999, with strong revenue growth in all major regions. The firm's backlog decreased during the fourth quarter of 2000 but was higher than at the end of 1999.
Net revenues in Financial Advisory increased 14% over 1999 as the firm benefited from increased activity in the global mergers and acquisitions market, particularly in the high technology, communications, media and entertainment, and financial institutions sectors. Underwriting net revenues increased 33% over 1999 as the firm capitalized on strong investor demand which led to record new issue volume in the global equity markets. Revenue growth was exceptionally strong in the high technology and communications, media and entertainment sectors.
Fourth Quarter
Net revenues in Investment Banking were US$1.22 billion, 7% lower than the fourth quarter of 1999 and 8% lower than the third quarter of 2000.
Net revenues in the Financial Advisory business were essentially unchanged compared to the same 1999 period, as increased contributions from mergers and acquisitions in the high technology, financial institutions and healthcare sectors were offset by decreases in the communications, media and entertainment sector. Underwriting net revenues declined 13% compared to the same 1999 period, principally due to reductions in the energy and power and communications, media and entertainment sectors, offset in part by increases in the high technology and healthcare sectors.
Trading and Principal Investments
Full Year
Net revenues in Trading and Principal Investments were US$6.63 billion for the year, an increase of 15% compared to 1999.
Net revenues in Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities (FICC) increased 5% compared to 1999, primarily due to increased activity in fixed income derivatives and currencies. These increases were partially offset by lower activity in the firm's credit-sensitive businesses, which were negatively affected by market uncertainty and wider credit spreads. Net revenues also declined in the firm's government bond and commodities businesses.
Equities net revenues rose 78% compared to 1999, primarily due to significant growth in equity derivatives, which benefited from favorable market conditions and increased customer flow, as well as record transaction volumes in the firm's European and U.S. shares businesses.
Principal Investments net revenues decreased substantially, as market declines in the high technology and telecommunications sectors led to unrealized losses on certain of the firm's merchant banking investments. These losses were partially offset by increased gains on dispositions.
Fourth Quarter
Net revenues in Trading and Principal Investments were US$1.03 billion for the quarter, 18% lower than the fourth quarter of 1999 and 52% lower than the third quarter of 2000.
FICC net revenues increased 16% compared to the same 1999 period, primarily due to increased customer flow in currencies and commodities. These increases were partially offset by declines in the firm's emerging markets, mortgages and fixed income derivatives businesses.
Equities net revenues rose 82% compared to the fourth quarter of 1999, primarily resulting from strong performances in equity derivatives and equity arbitrage and higher transaction volumes in the firm's U.S. shares business.
Principal Investments incurred negative net revenues in the fourth quarter, due to unrealized losses on the firm's merchant banking investments in the high technology and telecommunications sectors, partially offset by disposition gains.
Asset Management and Securities Services
Full Year
Asset Management and Securities Services net revenues were US$4.59 billion, an increase of 43% compared to 1999.
Asset Management net revenues were 46% higher than last year, primarily reflecting a 31% increase in average assets under management as well as favorable changes in the composition of assets managed. Performance fees also contributed to the increase in net revenues.
Securities Services net revenues increased 22% over 1999, primarily due to growth in the firm's securities lending and margin lending, partially offset by reduced spreads in the fixed income matched book.
Commissions increased 52% compared to 1999 due to record transaction volumes in global equity markets and the firm's increased share of income and gains from its merchant banking funds.
Fourth Quarter
Asset Management and Securities Services net revenues were US$1.17 billion, an increase of 28% above the same prior year period, and 7% above the prior quarter.
Asset Management net revenues were 27% higher than last year's fourth quarter, primarily reflecting a 29% increase in average assets under management.
Securities Services net revenues increased 10% over the same 1999 period, reflecting growth in the firm's prime brokerage business and increased customer balances in securities lending and margin lending.
Commissions increased 36% compared to the same period last year, as the firm benefited from higher U.S. and European transaction volumes in listed equity securities and increased activity in equity derivatives. Revenues from the increased share of income and gains from the firm's merchant banking funds also contributed to the increase in Commissions.
Expenses
Operating expenses excluding the SLK charge were US$11.28 billion for the full fiscal year, 24% above pro forma 1999, primarily reflecting increased compensation and benefits commensurate with higher net revenue levels. The ratio of compensation and benefits to net revenues for fiscal year 2000 was 47%, compared to 50% for the nine-month period ended August 25, 2000, and 48% for pro forma 1999. Employee compensation for 2000 included both restricted stock units and stock options.
Non-compensation-related expenses increased to US$3.08 billion, 42% above pro forma 1999, primarily due to incremental costs associated with global expansion, higher employment levels and increased business activity. Increased investment in technology-related expenditures also contributed to the increase in non-compensation-related expenses.
The firm's effective tax rate for fiscal year 2000 declined to 39% compared to 40% for the nine months ended August 25, 2000 and for the 1999 pro forma fiscal year.
Spear, Leeds & Kellogg Charge
As part of the combination with SLK, the firm established a US$702 million retention pool in restricted stock units for all SLK employees. A charge of US$290 million (US$180 million after-tax), related to restricted stock units for which future service is not required as a condition to the delivery of the underlying shares of common stock, was included in the fourth quarter results of fiscal 2000. The remaining restricted stock units, for which future service is required, will be amortized over the five-year service period following the combination date.
Capital
As of November 24, 2000, total capital was US$47.93 billion, consisting of US$16.53 billion in stockholders' equity and US$31.40 billion in long-term debt. Book value per share was US$32.18, based on common shares outstanding, including restricted stock units granted to employees with no future service requirements, of 513.7 million at period end. The firm repurchased approximately 6.5 million shares of its common stock during the year.
Dividend
The Board of Directors of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. declared a dividend of US$0.12 per share to be paid on February 22, 2001, to common shareholders of record on January 22, 2001.
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
This press release contains "forward-looking statements". These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only the firm's belief regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the firm's control. It is possible that the firm's actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. For a discussion of some of the risks and factors that would affect the firm's future results, see our preliminary prospectus contained in our registration statement (no. 333-49958) filed with the SEC on November 15, 2000, under the caption "Risk Factors".
Statements about the firm's investment banking transaction backlog also may constitute forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to the risk that the terms of these transactions may be modified or that they may not be completed at all; therefore, the net revenues that we expect to earn from these transactions may differ, possibly materially, from those currently expected. Important factors that could result in a modification of the terms of a transaction or a transaction not being completed include, in the case of underwriting transactions, a decline in general economic conditions, volatility in the securities markets generally or an adverse development with respect to the issuer of the securities and, in the case of financial advisory transactions, a decline in the securities markets, an adverse development with respect to a party to the transaction or a failure to obtain a required regulatory approval. Other important factors that could adversely affect our investment banking transactions are contained in our preliminary prospectus, as filed on November 15, 2000, under the caption "Risk Factors".
A conference call to discuss the firm's results, outlook and related matters, will be held at 10:00 a.m., E.S.T. The call will be open to the public. Members of the public who would like to listen to the conference call should dial 1-888-209-3802. The number should be dialed at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the conference call. The conference call will also be accessible through the Shareholders portion of our Web site, http://www.gs.com. There is no charge to access the call. For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available on our Web site or by dialing 1-800-633-8284 (domestic) or 1-858-812-6440 (international) passcode number 17001959 beginning approximately one hour after the event. Please direct any questions regarding obtaining access to the conference call to Denise Iosue at 1-212-855-9668 or investor-relations@gs.com.
Financial Data
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Contacts
Investor Contact:
John Andrews
Tel: 1-212-357-2674
Media Contact:
Kate Baum
Tel: 1-212-902-5400