Goldman Sachs' stock price closed down more than 2% on Monday following its earnings release, as Wall Street analysts shifted their focus to the downside risks behind the strong headline figures. Although the bank achieved record first-quarter revenue from equity trading, its fixed income, currencies, and commodities (FICC) business reported a 10% decline in revenue, falling short of expectations.
Bank of America commented that Goldman Sachs delivered "solid" overall performance for the quarter, but noted that it was "overshadowed by weaker-than-expected results in fixed income, currencies, and commodities."
Wolfe Research offered a less optimistic assessment. "Overall, these results are disappointing (albeit relative to high expectations), with pressure in fixed income, currencies, and commodities... suggesting some 'bad volatility' towards the end of the first quarter," the firm stated. It added that strength in commodities and currency trading was "offset by weakness in rates trading, mortgage-related trading, and credit trading."
Wells Fargo indicated that the shortfall in the fixed income, currencies, and commodities segment was not only weak but also "somewhat surprising relative to peer guidance and balance sheet growth."
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