Goldman Sachs Profit Jumps as Tax Cuts Fatten the Bottom Line

Goldman Sachs reports a 19% jump in third-quarter profit thanks to President Donald Trump's tax cuts. It was Lloyd Blankfein's final quarter as CEO. David Solomon, his successor, says the Wall Street firm is 'well positioned to continue delivering for our clients and shareholders.'
By Bradley Keoun ,

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) - Get Report  , in former CEO Lloyd Blankfein's final quarter as head of the Wall Street firm, said third-quarter profit rose 19% thanks to President Donald Trump's tax cuts last December.

Net income was $2.524 billion, the New York-based bank said Tuesday, Oct. 16. Earnings per share were $6.28, beating the average analyst estimate of $5.38 in a FactSet survey.

Goldman Sachs had such an abysmal trading performance last year that some analysts began calling for Blankfein to step aside to make way for the next generation of leaders. The Wall Street firm announced in July that Blankfein would step down at the end of September and be replaced by David Solomon, a former investment-banking executive.

"We delivered solid results in the third quarter driven by contributions from across our diversified client franchise," Solomon said in the statement.   

Like rival U.S. banks, Goldman Sachs is getting a windfall from the Trump tax cuts. Although the tax cuts, which took effect last December, have drastically widened the U.S. government's budget deficit, ballooning the national debt past $21.5 trillion, the legislation has enriched banks' shareholders and employees.

Goldman set aside $554 million for taxes in the third quarter, down 35% from a year earlier. 

Revenue in the firm's juggernaut trading division were mixed, with gains in stock-related fees offset by a decline in bonds, commodities and currencies. 

Stock-trading revenue rose by 8%to $1.79 billion, according to the statement. Fees in the bonds unit tumbled by 10% from the prior year's period to $1.31 billion. 

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