360 Degrees of Goldman Sachs

This stock sells for about 10 times earnings. Wells Fargo(WFC Quote), by comparison, sells at 14 times earnings! Wells has nowhere near the growth of Goldman. It has nowhere near the control of its destiny vs. Goldman. Wells is hostage to the Fed; Goldman couldn't care less where the short rates go. Housing bubble being pricked? Who cares at Goldman? But it's devastating for Wells. The U.S. markets cool? Wells can't do a thing. Goldman can go all over the world to the best markets.

Which is why I believe that Goldman will get a higher multiple than Wells and get one now, after this fantastic quarter. I believe that 15 times earnings is reasonable, a mere one multiple point above Wells.

Do the math: 15 x $15 = $225.

I rest my case.

The Perfect Storm, by John Layfield

Editor's Note: The following is from a March 25 Street.com column.

Goldman Sachs' last earnings report was very similar to Barry Bonds having a ball teed up for him. Goldman went deep.

It blew away earnings estimates of $3.29 per share with $5.08 in the first quarter. Goldman already has earned 42% of profits that were forecast for the entire year.