Goldman Smashes Expectations, Reports Second Highest Revenue In History On Blockbuster FICC Results Tyler Durden Wed, 07/15/2020 - 08:02 If Wells Fargo plunged yesterday due to being one of the few US banks without a trading desk to offset its balance sheet woes, then Goldman was the opposite, and without much of a balance sheet to talk about (its attempts to attract subprime borrowers to its Marcus product have had mixed success), the company reaped all the benefits of the Q2 record refi and trading frenzy with almost none of the downside. Indeed, as Goldman reported moments ago, the bank smashed both top and bottom line expectations, on the back of blockbuster FICC revenues: Q2 Revenue of $13.30BN, Exp. $9.75BN and 41% higher than Q2 2019 Q2 EPS $6.26, nearly double the consensus estimate of $3.78, and above last year's $5.81 Y/Y And the punchline: Q2 FICC Sales & Trading Rev $4.24B, Est. $2.64B Some more of the quarter's highlights: Net revenues of $13.30 billion, 41% higher than the second quarter of 2019 and 52% higher than the first quarter of 2020, were the firm’s second highest quarterly net revenues. The increase compared with the second quarter of 2019 reflected significantly higher net revenues in Global Markets and Investment Banking and higher net revenues in Consumer & Wealth Management, partially offset by lower net revenues in Asset Management. Net revenues in Global Markets were $7.18 billion for the second quarter of 2020, 93% higher than the second quarter of 2019 and 39% higher than the first quarter of 2020. Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities (FICC) generated quarterly net revenues soared 93% to $4.24 billion, its highest quarterly performance in nine years, "reflecting continued strong client activity in intermediation and financing." The surge in FICC revenues reflected significantly higher net revenues across all major businesses, particularly in interest rate products, credit products and commodities. In addition, net revenues in FICC financing were significantly higher, primarily driven by repurchase agreements. It was the third straight quarter of increases for Goldman's FICC division. Equities generated quarterly net revenues of $2.94 billion, its highest quarterly performance in eleven years, and 46% higher than the second quarter of 2019, due to significantly higher net revenues in Equities intermediation, reflecting significantly higher net revenues in both cash products and derivatives, partially offset by lower net revenues in Equities financing, reflecting lower average customer balances, tighter spreads and a decrease in dividends. Investment Banking generated record quarterly net revenues of $2.66 billion, 36% higher than the second quarter of 2019 and 22% higher than the first quarter of 2020, including record quarterly net revenues in both Equity and Debt underwriting. The increase compared with the second quarter of 2019 reflected significantly higher net revenues in Underwriting, partially offset by a net loss in Corporate lending and lower net revenues in Financial advisory. Firmwide assets under supervision, increased $239 billion during the quarter to a record $2.06 trillion. The bank's prop trading/investment portfolio also benefit from the Q2 rebound after taking a massive markdown in the first three months of the year. Equity and debt holdings swung to a $1.38 billion gain after producing a hit of almost $900 million in the first quarter. Goldman has said it’s moving away from taking stakes with its own money, and is trying to raise more client funds. The strategy could help limit exaggerated moves that add volatility to the firm’s quarterly results. And while few will care, Goldman was not completely spared from the covid turbulence, with the company reporting that its provision for credit losses soared to $1.59 billion in Q2 2020, up from just $214 million for the second quarter of 2019 and $937 million for the first quarter of 2020. The increase compared with the second quarter of 2019 was primarily due to significantly higher provisions related to wholesale loans and, to a lesser extent, consumer loans, reflecting revisions to forecasts of expected deterioration in the broader economic environment (incorporating the accounting for credit losses under the Current Expected Credit Losses standard6). In addition, the increase in provisions related to wholesale loans reflected the impact of individual impairments during the quarter. The firm’s allowance for credit losses was $4.39 billion as of June 30, Overall, however, the results were solid, DJing CEO David Solomon was happy: “This quarter demonstrated the continued dedication of the people of Goldman Sachs to helping our clients navigate a very challenging environment, while working remotely or returning to offices that are quite different than the ones we left earlier in the year. We also continue to be grateful for those working hard to contain the pandemic and limit its human and economic costs. Our strong financial performance across our client franchises demonstrates the inherent benefits of our diversified business model. The turbulence we have seen in recent months only reinforces our commitment to the strategy we outlined earlier this year to investors. While the economic outlook remains uncertain, I am confident that we will continue to be the firm of choice for clients around the world who are looking to reshape their businesses and rebuild a more resilient economy.” Goldman stock surged in kneejerk reaction: