Goldman Sachs' (GS) second-quarter results topped Wall Street's estimates as a record performance in the global banking and markets business propelled its revenue growth.
Earnings per share for the June quarter jumped to a record $20.98 from $10.91 a year earlier, well above the FactSet-polled consensus of $14.51. Net revenue surged 39% to $20.34 billion, while analysts expected $16.23 billion.
Revenue in Goldman's global banking and markets segment jumped 53% year over year to $15.52 billion, with the equities business delivering a 72% increase to $7.42 billion. Investment banking fees grew 55% to $3.4 billion, reflecting strength in equity and debt underwriting, as well as in advisory.
Large-cap corporate merger and acquisition volumes soared 90% through the first half of 2026, Chief Executive David Solomon said during an earnings conference call, according to a FactSet transcript.
"We have further expanded our lead as the number one M&A advisor, and earlier this year became the first bank to cross the $1 trillion in announced volumes over a six month period," Solomon said. "This long standing leadership, combined with our One Goldman Sachs operating ethos, creates a real multiplier effect."
Shares of the bank were up 7.5% intraday Tuesday. The stock has risen about 28% so far this year.
The equities business got a boost amid shifting market dynamics and elevated activity levels, Solomon said. "Client activity was particularly strong in Asia, driven in part by robust (artificial intelligence) capital formation and investment," he told analysts.
JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Wells Fargo (WFC), Bank of America (BAC) and Citigroup (C) all posted strong second-quarter results Tuesday amid gains in markets revenue and investment banking fees.
BofA Securities said last week that major US banks could top second-quarter earnings expectations on the back of capital markets activity.
Revenue in Goldman's asset and wealth management segment rose 20% to $4.6 billion.
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