Goldman Sachs Group Inc Stock Hold Recommendation Reiterated (GS)

Editor's Note: TheStreet ratings do not represent the views of TheStreet's staff or its contributors. Ratings are established by computer based on metrics for performance (which includes growth, stock performance, efficiency and valuation) and risk (volatility and solvency). Companies with poor cash flow or high debt levels tend to earn lower ratings in our model.

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS) has been reiterated by TheStreet Ratings as a hold with a ratings score of C . The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its attractive valuation levels, increase in stock price during the past year and expanding profit margins. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including disappointing return on equity, weak operating cash flow and deteriorating net income.

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Highlights from the ratings report include:

• Compared to where it was 12 months ago, the stock is up, but it has so far lagged the appreciation in the S&P 500. Despite the fact that it has already risen in the past year, there is currently no conclusive evidence that warrants the purchase or sale of this stock.
• Despite the weak revenue results, GS has outperformed against the industry average of 26.9%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues fell by 10.0%. The declining revenue appears to have seeped down to the company's bottom line, decreasing earnings per share.
• The company's current return on equity has slightly decreased from the same quarter one year prior. This implies a minor weakness in the organization. When compared to other companies in the Capital Markets industry and the overall market, GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP INC's return on equity is below that of both the industry average and the S&P 500.
• Net operating cash flow has significantly decreased to $5,367.00 million or 50.09% when compared to the same quarter last year. In addition, when comparing to the industry average, the firm's growth rate is much lower.

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. provides investment banking, securities, and investment management services, as well as a range of financial services to corporations, financial institutions, governments and high-net-worth individuals worldwide. The company has a P/E ratio of 16.6, above the average financial services industry P/E ratio of 16.5 and below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Goldman Sachs Group has a market cap of $54.43 billion and is part of the financial sector and financial services industry. Shares are up 25.6% year to date as of the close of trading on Friday.

You can view the full Goldman Sachs Group Ratings Report or get investment ideas from our investment research center.

--Written by a member of TheStreet Ratings Staff.

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