On the stock market since 1999, it operates in the world of money and finance. It has 47,000 employees. Now — the numbers.
This is an established company with proven profits.
That much dependence is a risk in itself: if this one line weakens, the whole company feels it directly.
Average growth of 18% a year over the last 4 years. Every year shown ended in profit.
We compared this company with its own sector across five subjects.
A score of 50 means class average.
Profit indicators sit around the sector average.
For a bank, strength is measured by capital buffers and reserves — not cash minus debt.
Clearly below the class average.
There is growth, but not at top-of-the-class tempo.
The stock has been running stronger than the market lately.
Financial Strength: The capital buffer looks thin next to its class; less room to absorb a rough stretch.
Valuation: The stock trades at a price that looks expensive next to its earnings; that can cap future returns.
The stock trades below its recent peak — about 12% off the top. A pullback, not a collapse.
Over the last 3 years, sales grew about 22% a year on average.
It met or beat analyst expectations in 8 of the last 8 quarters — consistency is a promise kept.
The average analyst price target is $1,202 — 18% above today’s price.
Over the last 12 months, executives reported 186 sells against just 40 buys. Not an alarm bell by itself, but a number worth watching.
The balance sheet offers little cushion against a rough stretch. Report-card grade: 6/100.
Today’s price already includes part of tomorrow’s optimism. Report-card grade: 34/100.
On our five-subject report card, GS sits behind the class. A low grade doesn’t mean “doomed” — it means “big claim, small proof.”
The takeaway: GS is an established business that has proven its profits for years. The real debate isn’t the quality of the business — it’s whether the price paid for the stock is too high.
The total grade weighs these five subjects against the sector — it isn’t a simple average of the five.
Analysts’ average target sits above today’s price, yet the valuation grade (34/100) says the stock isn’t cheap.