Goldman Sachs posted its first quarterly loss since it went public in 1999, losing US$2.12 billion during its fiscal fourth quarter ended Nov. 28, but the firm still managed to eek out a full year profit.

The firm reported fourth quarter negative net revenues of US$1.58 billion and a net loss of US$2.12 billion. The diluted loss per common share was US$4.97 compared with diluted earnings per common share of US$7.01 for the fourth quarter of 2007 and US$1.81 for the third quarter of 2008.

For the full year, net revenues were US$22.22 billion and net earnings of US$2.32 billion. Diluted earnings per common share were US$4.47 compared with US$24.73 for the year ended Nov. 30, 2007. Return on average common shareholders’ equity was 4.9% for 2008.

“Our results for the fourth quarter reflect extraordinarily difficult operating conditions, including a sharp decline in values across virtually every asset class,” said Lloyd Blankfein, chairman and CEO. “While our quarterly performance obviously didn’t meet our expectations, Goldman Sachs remained profitable during one of the most challenging years in our industry’s history. Our deep and global client franchise, experienced and talented people and strong balance sheet position our firm well for the year ahead.”

Net revenues in Investment Banking were US$5.19 billion for the year, 31% lower than 2007. Net revenues in Financial Advisory were US$2.66 billion, 37% lower than in 2007, primarily reflecting a decline in industry-wide completed mergers and acquisitions. Net revenues in the firm’s Underwriting business were US$2.53 billion, 24% lower than 2007, principally due to significantly lower net revenues in debt underwriting.

Net revenues in Trading and Principal Investments were US$9.06 billion for the year, 71% lower than 2007. The Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities division had net revenues of US$3.71 billion for the year, 77% lower than 2007, primarily reflecting losses in credit products, which included a loss of approximately US$3.1 billion (net of hedges) related to non-investment-grade credit origination activities and losses from investments, including corporate debt and private and public equities. Net revenues in Equities were US$9.21 billion for the year, 19% lower than a particularly strong 2007, reflecting losses in principal strategies, partially offset by higher net revenues in the client franchise businesses.

Principal Investments recorded a net loss of US$3.86 billion for 2008. These results included net losses of US$2.53 billion from corporate principal investments and US$949 million from real estate principal investments, as well as a US$446 million loss related to the firm’s investment in the ordinary shares of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited.

The only business that saw an increase in net revenues year over year is Asset Management and Securities Services, which had revenues of US$7.97 billion for the year, 11% higher than 2007. Asset Management net revenues were US$4.55 billion for the year, 1% higher than 2007. During the year, assets under management decreased US$89 billion to US$779 billion, due to US$123 billion of market depreciation, primarily in equity assets, partially offset by US$34 billion of net inflows. Securities Services net revenues were US$3.42 billion for the year, 26% higher than 2007, reflecting the impact of changes in the composition of securities lending customer balances, as well as higher total average customer balances.

On the news, DBRS placed its long-term ratings for Goldman Sachs Under Review with Negative Implications. “This rating action reflects the further deterioration in the company’s prospects since DBRS changed the trend on its long-term ratings to negative on Sept. 17, after weak Q3 2008 earnings due to the sustained disruptions in the financial markets, the rapid deterioration in the U.S. economy, as well as the weakening of economies and financial markets around the world,” it explains.

“For financial institutions generally, this deteriorating environment has resulted in diminished investor confidence, increased volatility in asset prices, lower client activity, increased risk aversion and higher funding costs,” it adds. “In weathering the sustained turmoil of the past eighteen months, Goldman had managed to generate positive earnings until this quarter. In DBRS’s opinion, this quarter’s loss, however, absorbs capital, impacts market confidence and elevates the market’s concerns about remaining risk.”

Even though the operating environment remains very difficult, DBRS says it believes that Goldman has the necessary franchise strengths, funding, liquidity and capital to successfully manage through the very challenging operating environment. As a result of these factors and the increased level of government support, the ratings are very unlikely to be downgraded by more than one notch and could be confirmed at the current level following the review, it says.

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