Goldman Sachs closed the first quarter of 2015 with net income of $2,84 billion, up 39,9% over the same period in 2014. Earnings per share increased to $5,94 from $4,02, doing significantly better than the expectations of analysts, who were expecting earnings per share of $4,26. Revenues grew by 13,8% to 10,617 billion dollars, the highest level in the last four years and against expectations for 9,35 billion. Thanks to the results, the US giant's board of directors raised the quarterly dividend to $0,65 from $0,60.
As for capital solidity, the common equity tier 1 calculated on the basis of the advanced methodology of Basel III is equal to 12,6%. Total liquid assets at the end of March stood at $175 billion. "We are satisfied with the results of this quarter - commented the managing director Lloyd Blankfein - and in particular with the fact that all our main areas of activity have contributed". "We remain confident about the prospects for continued growth," he added, also thanks to "more normalized markets and a higher level of customer activity."
Prior to Goldman Sachs they had published accounts too JP Morgan e Wells Fargo, while today was also the turn of Citigroup reported year-ago first-quarter net earnings of $4,77 billion or $1,51 a share versus year-ago earnings of $3,94 billion or $1,23 a share and the 1,39, 19,81 per share expected by consensus of analysts. Revenue was $20,2 billion on an adjusted basis, in line with expectations, down slightly from $XNUMX billion a year ago. Under the leadership of CEO Michael Corbat, Citigroup has long since implemented a policy that aims to divest some non-core activities and to settle the legal disputes still pending in an amicable manner. Last month Citigroup announced the sale of subprime mortgage business OneMain Financial to Springleaf Holdings along with the first dividend hike since the start of the financial crisis.
