Goldman Sachs Reports First Quarter Earnings Per Share of US$1.40

NEW YORK, March 20, 2001 – The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) today reported net earnings of US$768 million for its fiscal first quarter ended February 23, 2001. Earnings per diluted share were US$1.40 compared to US$1.50 (1) for the 2000 fourth quarter and US$1.76 for the first quarter of 2000. Diluted earnings per share, excluding the amortization of goodwill and other intangible assets, were US$1.47 for the first quarter of 2001. Annualized return on average tangible shareholders' equity (2) for the quarter was 24.5%.

(1)Excludes a nonrecurring charge related to the firm's acquisition of Spear, Leeds & Kellogg (SLK) on October 31, 2000.

(2)Tangible shareholders' equity excludes goodwill and other intangible assets.


Business Highlights

  • Goldman Sachs' Financial Advisory business achieved record quarterly net
    revenues of US$730 million.

  • The firm's trading businesses - Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities (FICC)
    and Equities - generated record net revenues of US$2.30 billion.

  • Asset Management and Securities Services net revenues increased to a record US$1.43
    billion, reflecting growth across all businesses.

  • Assets under management grew to US$300 billion, with net inflows of US$14 billion
    during the quarter.

"While the firm produced record revenues in a number of key businesses, there is no question that current economic and market activity have slowed considerably," said Henry M. Paulson, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Recognizing the environment, we have increased our focus on controlling expense growth and driving efficiency. That said, we remain confident in Goldman Sachs' long-term growth potential."


Business Segments

Global Capital Markets

Net revenues in Global Capital Markets, which includes Investment Banking and Trading and Principal Investments, were US$3.31 billion, 47% higher than the fourth quarter of 2000 and slightly below the first quarter of 2000.

Investment Banking


Net revenues in Investment Banking were US$1.15 billion compared to US$1.22 billion for the fourth quarter of 2000 and US$1.24 billion for the first quarter of 2000.


Net revenues in the Financial Advisory business increased 25% over the same 2000 period, principally due to mergers and acquisitions in the communications, media and entertainment, healthcare and high technology sectors. Net revenue growth was strong across all major regions. Underwriting net revenues decreased 36% compared to the same 2000 period, primarily due to a slowdown in equity new issue activity.


The firm's backlog declined significantly during the quarter reflecting lower equity market valuations, reduced merger activity and general market uncertainty.

Trading and Principal Investments


Net revenues in Trading and Principal Investments were US$2.16 billion for the quarter, a significant increase over the fourth quarter of 2000 and a 3% increase compared to the first quarter of 2000.


Net revenues in FICC increased 11% compared to the same 2000 period, primarily due to increased customer flow and market volatility in commodities and currencies. These increases were offset by lower net revenues as a result of reduced customer flow in
fixed income derivatives and mortgages.


Equities net revenues increased 37% over the first quarter of 2000 primarily due to the contribution from SLK and strength in equity arbitrage. These increases were partially offset by lower net revenues from decreased secondary market activity in the firm's European shares business compared to an exceptionally strong first quarter of 2000.


Principal Investments experienced negative net revenues in the first quarter, due to unrealized losses on the firm's merchant banking investments in the high technology and telecommunications sectors, partially offset by real estate disposition gains.

Asset Management and Securities Services

Asset Management and Securities Services net revenues were US$1.43 billion, an increase of 22% compared to both the prior quarter and same prior year period.


Asset Management net revenues were 20% higher than last year's first quarter, primarily reflecting a 12% increase in average assets under management. Strong net inflows were partially offset by declines in asset values due to depreciation in global equity markets.


Securities Services net revenues increased 18% over the same 2000 period, primarily due to the inclusion of SLK's securities and margin lending business, as well as increased spreads in the firm's fixed income matched book.


Commissions increased 24% compared to the same period last year, due to the contribution from SLK's clearing and execution business and increased customer flow in equity derivatives. These increases were partially offset by decreased activity in the firm's
global shares businesses.


Expenses

Operating expenses were US$3.47 billion, 15% above first quarter 2000, primarily reflecting the inclusion of SLK expenses. Compensation and benefits increased 5% commensurate with higher net revenue levels. The ratio of compensation and benefits to net revenues was 50%.


Non-compensation-related expenses were US$976 million, 49% above the same 2000 period, primarily due to inclusion of SLK expenses, as well as incremental costs associated with the firm's growth during fiscal 2000.


The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2001 was 39% compared to 40% for the first quarter of 2000.


Capital


As of February 23, 2001, total capital was US$48.22 billion, consisting of US$17.44 billion in shareholders' equity and US$30.78 billion in long-term debt. Book value per share was US$33.93, based on common shares outstanding, including restricted stock units granted to employees with no future service requirements, of 514.0 million at period end. The firm repurchased approximately 3.4 million shares of its common stock during the quarter.


Dividend

The Board of Directors of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. declared a dividend of US$0.12 per share to be paid on May 24, 2001, to common shareholders of record on April 24, 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 "Business - Certain Factors That May Affect Our Business" in the firm's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 24, 2000.


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. For a discussion of other important factors that could adversely affect our investment banking transactions, see "Business - Certain Factors That May Affect Our Business" in the firm's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 24, 2000.


Conference Call

A conference call to discuss the firm's results, outlook and related matters, will be held at 11:00 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 1-888-281-7154 (U.S. domestic) or 1-706-679-5627 (international). 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 section of our Web site,
http://www.gs.com/our_firm/investor_relations. 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 1-800-642-1687 (U.S. domestic) or 1-706-645-9291 (international) passcode number 976151 beginning approximately one hour after the event. Please direct any questions regarding obtaining access to the conference call to Goldman Sachs Investor Relations, via e-mail, at investor-relations@gs.com.


Financial Data

Financial data are available in a spreadsheet [Microsoft® Excel®, 82KB].



Printable Version

You may also wish to view a printable version [PDF, 28KB] of the press release and financial data.


Contacts

Investor Contact:
John Andrews
Tel: 1-212-357-2674


Media Contact:
Kate Baum
Tel: 1-212-902-5400

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