Goldman Sachs Reports Third Quarter Earnings Per Common Share of $5.25

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20091015005457/en

NEW YORK--(Business Wire)--
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE: GS) today reported net revenues of $12.37
billion and net earnings of $3.19 billion for its third quarter ended September
25, 2009. Diluted earnings per common share were $5.25 compared with $1.81 for
the third quarter ended August 29, 2008 and $4.93 for the second quarter ended
June 26, 2009. Annualized return on average common shareholders` equity (ROE)
(1) was 21.4% for the third quarter of 2009 and 19.2% for the first nine months
of 2009.

Business Highlights

* Goldman Sachs continued its leadership in worldwide mergers and acquisitions,
ranking first in worldwide announced transactions for the calendar year-to-date.
(2)
* Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities (FICC) generated quarterly net revenues
of $5.99 billion, reflecting strong results across most businesses.
* Equities generated quarterly net revenues of $2.78 billion, reflecting strong
results across the franchise.
* The firm`s Tier 1 capital ratio under Basel I (3) was 14.5% as of September
25, 2009, up from 13.8% as of June 26, 2009. The firm`s Tier 1 common ratio (3)
under Basel I was 11.6% as of September 25, 2009, up from 10.9% as of June 26,
2009.
* Book value per common share increased 4% during the quarter to $110.75 and
tangible book value per common share (4) increased 5% during the quarter to
$101.39.
* On July 22, 2009, the firm repurchased the warrant issued to the U.S. Treasury
pursuant to the Treasury`s TARP Capital Purchase Program for $1.1 billion. The
U.S. taxpayers` annualized return on their total investment in the firm was
approximately 23%.

______________

"Although the world continues to face serious economic challenges, we are seeing
improving conditions and evidence of stabilization, even growth, across a number
of sectors," said Lloyd C. Blankfein, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Our
client franchise businesses -- advisory, financing, market making and asset
management -- contribute to and benefit from the overall improvement in
conditions. Because the job market, and growth more generally, remain under
stress, we continue to be focused on actively helping our clients in order to
promote greater economic activity."

Net Revenues

Investment Banking

Net revenues in Investment Banking were $899 million, 31% lower than the third
quarter of 2008 and 38% lower than the second quarter of 2009.

Net revenues in Financial Advisory were $325 million, 47% lower than the third
quarter of 2008, primarily reflecting a significant decline in industry-wide
completed mergers and acquisitions. Net revenues in the firm`s Underwriting
business were $574 million, 15% lower than the third quarter of 2008, due to
significantly lower net revenues in debt underwriting, partially offset by
higher net revenues in equity underwriting. The decrease in debt underwriting
primarily reflected a decline in net revenues from leveraged loans. The increase
in equity underwriting primarily reflected an increase in industry-wide initial
public offerings. The firm`s investment banking transaction backlog increased
significantly during the quarter. (5)

Trading and Principal Investments

Net revenues in Trading and Principal Investments were $10.03 billion,
significantly higher than the third quarter of 2008 and 7% lower than a record
second quarter of 2009.

Net revenues in FICC were $5.99 billion, significantly higher than the third
quarter of 2008. These results reflected strong performances in credit products
and mortgages, which were significantly higher compared with a difficult third
quarter of 2008. Net revenues in interest rate products were also strong and
significantly higher compared with the third quarter of 2008, while net revenues
in commodities and currencies were lower compared with the same prior year
period. During the quarter, FICC operated in an environment characterized by
solid client activity levels, tighter credit spreads and a general improvement
in asset values.

Net revenues in Equities were $2.78 billion, 78% higher than the third quarter
of 2008. These results reflected strong net revenues in derivatives, which were
significantly higher than the third quarter of 2008, as well as a solid
performance in shares. In addition, net revenues in principal strategies
improved significantly compared with a difficult third quarter of 2008.
Commissions declined compared with the third quarter of 2008. During the
quarter, Equities operated in an environment generally characterized by a
significant increase in global equity prices, favorable market opportunities and
a decline in volatility levels.

Principal Investments recorded net revenues of $1.26 billion for the third
quarter of 2009. These results included a gain of $977 million from corporate
principal investments, a gain of $344 million related to the firm`s investment
in the ordinary shares of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited (ICBC)
and a loss of $66 million from real estate principal investments.

Asset Management and Securities Services

Net revenues in Asset Management and Securities Services were $1.45 billion, 29%
lower than the third quarter of 2008 and 6% lower than the second quarter of
2009.

Asset Management net revenues were $974 million, 14% lower than the third
quarter of 2008, primarily reflecting the impact of changes in the composition
of assets managed. During the third quarter of 2009, assets under management
increased $29 billion to $848 billion, due to $39 billion of market
appreciation, primarily in equity and fixed income assets, partially offset by
$10 billion of net outflows. Net outflows primarily reflected outflows in money
market assets, partially offset by inflows in fixed income assets.

Securities Services net revenues were $472 million, 48% lower than the third
quarter of 2008. The decrease in net revenues primarily reflected the impact of
lower customer balances compared with the third quarter of 2008.

Expenses

Operating expenses were $7.58 billion, 49% higher than the third quarter of 2008
and 13% lower than the second quarter of 2009.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation and benefits expenses (including salaries, estimated year-end
discretionary compensation, amortization of equity awards and other items such
as payroll taxes, severance costs and benefits) were $5.35 billion, which was
higher than the third quarter of 2008, due to higher net revenues. The ratio of
compensation and benefits to net revenues was 43.3% for the third quarter of
2009 (compared with 48.3% for the second quarter of 2009), resulting in a ratio
of compensation and benefits to net revenues of 47.0% for the first nine months
of 2009. This ratio was 49.0% for the first six months of 2009 and 48.0% for the
first nine months of 2008.

Non-Compensation Expenses

Non-compensation expenses were $2.23 billion, 2% higher than the third quarter
of 2008 and 7% higher than the second quarter of 2009. The increase compared
with the third quarter of 2008 reflected the impact of a $200 million charitable
contribution to The Goldman Sachs Foundation and $36 million of net provisions
for litigation and regulatory proceedings during the third quarter of 2009,
partially offset by the impact of lower transaction volumes in Equities.

Provision for Taxes

The effective income tax rate for the first nine months of 2009 was 32.2%, up
slightly from 31.5% for the first half of 2009.

Capital

As of September 25, 2009, total capital was $255.07 billion, consisting of
$65.35 billion in total shareholders` equity (common shareholders` equity of
$58.40 billion and preferred stock of $6.96 billion) and $189.72 billion in
unsecured long-term borrowings. Book value per common share was $110.75 and
tangible book value per common share (4) was $101.39, an increase of 4% and 5%,
respectively, during the quarter. Book value and tangible book value per common
share are based on common shares outstanding, including restricted stock units
granted to employees with no future service requirements, of 527.3 million at
period end.

On July 22, 2009, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (Group Inc.) repurchased in full
from the U.S. Treasury the warrant to purchase 12.2 million shares of common
stock that was issued to the U.S. Treasury pursuant to the U.S. Treasury`s TARP
Capital Purchase Program. The purchase price paid by Group Inc. to the U.S.
Treasury for this warrant was $1.1 billion. This amount was recorded as a
reduction to shareholders` equity. Excluding this repurchase, book value and
tangible book value per common share (4) increased 6% and 7%, respectively,
during the quarter.

Under the regulatory capital guidelines currently applicable to bank holding
companies, the firm`s Tier 1 capital ratio under Basel I (3) was 14.5% as of
September 25, 2009, up from 13.8% as of June 26, 2009. The firm`s Tier 1 common
ratio (3) under Basel I was 11.6% as of September 25, 2009, up from 10.9% as of
June 26, 2009. The firm`s ratio of tangible common shareholders` equity (4) to
Basel I risk-weighted assets (3) was 13.1% as of September 25, 2009, up from
12.4% as of June 26, 2009.

The firm also assesses its capital adequacy using an internal risk-based
methodology, which is generally consistent with Basel II. Under this
methodology, the firm`s Tier 1 capital ratio (3) was 16.0% as of September 25,
2009.

Other Balance Sheet and Liquidity Metrics

* Total assets (6) were $882 billion as of September 25, 2009, down slightly
from June 26, 2009.
* Level 3 assets (6) were approximately $50 billion as of September 25, 2009
(down from $54 billion as of June 26, 2009) and represented 5.7% of total
assets.
* Average global core excess (7) liquidity was $167 billion for the third
quarter of 2009, down slightly from $171 billion for the second quarter of
2009.

Dividends

The Board of Directors of Group Inc. (the Board) declared a dividend of $0.35
per common share to be paid on December 30, 2009 to common shareholders of
record on December 2, 2009. The Board also declared dividends of $239.58,
$387.50, $255.56 and $255.56 per share of Series A Preferred Stock, Series B
Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock,
respectively (represented by depositary shares, each representing a 1/1,000th
interest in a share of preferred stock), to be paid on November 10, 2009 to
preferred shareholders of record on October 26, 2009. In addition, the Board
declared a dividend of $2,500 per share of Series G Preferred Stock to be paid
on November 10, 2009 to preferred shareholders of record on October 26, 2009.

______________

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a leading global financial services firm
providing investment banking, securities and investment management services to a
substantial and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial
institutions, governments and high-net-worth individuals. Founded in 1869, the
firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices in London, Frankfurt,
Tokyo, Hong Kong and other major financial centers around the world.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead
represent only the firm`s beliefs regarding future events, many of which, by
their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the firm`s control. It is
possible that the firm`s actual results and financial condition may differ,
possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition
indicated in these forward-looking statements. For a discussion of some of the
risks and important factors that could affect the firm`s future results and
financial condition, see "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A of the firm`s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 28, 2008 and
"Management`s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" in Part II, Item 7 of the firm`s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended November 28, 2008.

Certain of the information regarding the firm`s Tier 1 capital ratios,
risk-weighted assets, total assets, level 3 assets and average global core
excess liquidity consist of preliminary estimates; these estimates are
forward-looking statements and are subject to change, possibly materially, as
the firm completes its quarterly financial statements.

Statements about the firm`s investment banking transaction backlog also may
constitute forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to the risk
that the terms of these transactions may be modified or that they may not be
completed at all; therefore, the net revenues, if any, that the firm actually
earns from these transactions may differ, possibly materially, from those
currently expected. Important factors that could result in a modification of the
terms of a transaction or a transaction not being completed include, in the case
of underwriting transactions, a decline or continued weakness in general
economic conditions, outbreak of hostilities, volatility in the securities
markets generally or an adverse development with respect to the issuer of the
securities and, in the case of financial advisory transactions, a decline in the
securities markets, an inability to obtain adequate financing, an adverse
development with respect to a party to the transaction or a failure to obtain a
required regulatory approval. For a discussion of other important factors that
could adversely affect the firm`s investment banking transactions, see "Risk
Factors" in Part I, Item 1A of the firm`s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended November 28, 2008 and "Management`s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Part II, Item 7 of the firm`s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 28, 2008.

Conference Call

A conference call to discuss the firm`s results, outlook and related matters
will be held at 9:00 am (ET). The call will be open to the public. Members of
the public who would like to listen to the conference call should dial
1-888-281-7154 (U.S. domestic) or 1-706-679-5627 (international). The number
should be dialed at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the conference call.
The conference call will also be accessible as an audio webcast through the
Investor Relations section of the firm`s web site, www.gs.com/shareholders.
There is no charge to access the call. For those unable to listen to the live
broadcast, a replay will be available on the firm`s web site or by dialing
1-800-642-1687 (U.S. domestic) or 1-706-645-9291 (international) passcode number
32860124, beginning approximately two hours after the event. Please direct any
questions regarding obtaining access to the conference call to Goldman Sachs
Investor Relations, via e-mail, at gs-investor-relations@gs.com.

THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SEGMENT NET REVENUES
(UNAUDITED)
$ in millions

Three Months Ended % Change From
September 25, June 26, August 29, June 26, August 29,
2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
Investment Banking
Financial Advisory $ 325 $ 368 $ 619 (12 ) % (47 ) %

Equity underwriting 363 736 292 (51 ) 24
Debt underwriting 211 336 383 (37 ) (45 )
Total Underwriting 574 1,072 675 (46 ) (15 )

Total Investment Banking 899 1,440 1,294 (38 ) (31 )

Trading and Principal Investments
FICC 5,991 6,795 1,595 (12 ) N.M.

Equities trading 1,845 2,157 354 (14 ) N.M.
Equities commissions 930 1,021 1,208 (9 ) (23 )
Total Equities 2,775 3,178 1,562 (13 ) 78

ICBC 344 948 106 (64 ) N.M.
Other corporate and real estate gains and losses 911 (156 ) (581 ) N.M. N.M.
Overrides 6 19 22 (68 ) (73 )
Total Principal Investments 1,261 811 (453 ) 55 N.M.

Total Trading and Principal Investments 10,027 10,784 2,704 (7 ) N.M.

Asset Management and Securities Services
Management and other fees 971 918 1,115 6 (13 )
Incentive fees 3 4 14 (25 ) (79 )
Total Asset Management 974 922 1,129 6 (14 )

Securities Services 472 615 916 (23 ) (48 )

Total Asset Management and Securities Services 1,446 1,537 2,045 (6 ) (29 )

Total net revenues $ 12,372 $ 13,761 $ 6,043 (10 ) 105

Nine Months Ended % Change From
September 25, August 29, August 29,
2009 2008 2008
Investment Banking
Financial Advisory $ 1,220 $ 2,082 (41 ) %

Equity underwriting 1,147 1,080 6
Debt underwriting 795 989 (20 )
Total Underwriting 1,942 2,069 (6 )

Total Investment Banking 3,162 4,151 (24 )

Trading and Principal Investments
FICC 19,343 7,116 172

Equities trading 5,029 2,883 74
Equities commissions 2,925 3,680 (21 )
Total Equities 7,954 6,563 21

ICBC 1,141 185 N.M.
Other corporate and real estate gains and losses (506 ) (515 ) N.M.
Overrides 29 70 (59 )
Total Principal Investments 664 (260 ) N.M.

Total Trading and Principal Investments 27,961 13,419 108

Asset Management and Securities Services
Management and other fees 2,820 3,391 (17 )
Incentive fees 25 216 (88 )
Total Asset Management 2,845 3,607 (21 )

Securities Services 1,590 2,623 (39 )

Total Asset Management and Securities Services 4,435 6,230 (29 )

Total net revenues $ 35,558 $ 23,800 49

THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(UNAUDITED)
In millions, except per share amounts and total staff

Three Months Ended % Change From
September 25, June 26, August 29, June 26, August 29,
2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
Revenues
Investment banking $ 899 $ 1,440 $ 1,294 (38 ) % (31 ) %
Trading and principal investments 8,801 9,322 2,440 (6 ) N.M.
Asset management and securities services 982 957 1,174 3 (16 )
Total non-interest revenues 10,682 11,719 4,908 (9 ) 118

Interest income 3,000 3,470 8,717 (14 ) (66 )
Interest expense 1,310 1,428 7,582 (8 ) (83 )
Net interest income 1,690 2,042 1,135 (17 ) 49

Net revenues, including net interest income 12,372 13,761 6,043 (10 ) 105

Operating expenses
Compensation and benefits 5,351 6,649 2,901 (20 ) 84

Brokerage, clearing, exchange and distribution fees 580 574 734 1 (21 )
Market development 84 82 119 2 (29 )
Communications and technology 194 173 192 12 1
Depreciation and amortization 367 426 300 (14 ) 22
Occupancy 230 242 237 (5 ) (3 )
Professional fees 183 145 168 26 9
Other expenses 589 441 432 34 36
Total non-compensation expenses 2,227 2,083 2,182 7 2

Total operating expenses 7,578 8,732 5,083 (13 ) 49

Pre-tax earnings 4,794 5,029 960 (5 ) N.M.
Provision for taxes 1,606 1,594 115 1 N.M.
Net earnings 3,188 3,435 845 (7 ) N.M.

Preferred stock dividends 160 717 35 (78 ) N.M.
Net earnings applicable to common shareholders $ 3,028 $ 2,718 $ 810 11 N.M.

Earnings per common share
Basic (8) $ 5.74 $ 5.27 $ 1.89 9 % N.M. %
Diluted 5.25 4.93 1.81 6 190

Average common shares outstanding
Basic 525.9 514.1 427.6 2 23
Diluted 576.9 551.0 448.3 5 29

Selected Data
Total staff at period end (9) 31,700 31,200 37,600 2 (16 )
Total staff at period end including consolidated 35,500 35,100 42,500 1 (16 )

entities held for investment purposes (10)

THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(UNAUDITED)
In millions, except per share amounts

Nine Months Ended % Change From
September 25, August 29, August 29,
2009 2008 2008
Revenues
Investment banking $ 3,162 $ 4,145 (24 ) %
Trading and principal investments 23,829 12,556 90
Asset management and securities services 2,928 3,736 (22 )
Total non-interest revenues 29,919 20,437 46

Interest income 10,832 29,460 (63 )
Interest expense 5,193 26,097 (80 )
Net interest income 5,639 3,363 68

Net revenues, including net interest income 35,558 23,800 49

Operating expenses
Compensation and benefits 16,712 11,424 46

Brokerage, clearing, exchange and distribution fees 1,690 2,265 (25 )
Market development 234 389 (40 )
Communications and technology 540 571 (5 )
Depreciation and amortization 1,342 774 73
Occupancy 713 707 1
Professional fees 463 531 (13 )
Other expenses 1,412 1,204 17
Total non-compensation expenses 6,394 6,441 (1 )

Total operating expenses 23,106 17,865 29

Pre-tax earnings 12,452 5,935 110
Provision for taxes 4,015 1,492 169
Net earnings 8,437 4,443 90

Preferred stock dividends 1,032 115 N.M.
Net earnings applicable to common shareholders $ 7,405 $ 4,328 71

Earnings per common share
Basic (8) $ 14.60 $ 10.08 45 %
Diluted 13.74 9.62 43

Average common shares outstanding
Basic 505.8 429.3 18
Diluted 539.0 449.7 20

THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(UNAUDITED)

Average Daily VaR (11)
$ in millions

Three Months Ended
September 25, June 26, August 29,
2009 2009 2008
Risk Categories
Interest rates $ 159 $ 205 $ 141
Equity prices 74 60 67
Currency rates 35 39 25
Commodity prices 27 40 51
Diversification effect (12) (87 ) (99 ) (103 )
Total $ 208 $ 245 $ 181

Assets Under Management (13)
$ in billions

As of % Change From
September 30, June 30, August 31, June 30, August 31,
2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
Asset Class
Alternative investments $ 145 $ 142 $ 154 2 % (6 ) %
Equity 139 121 179 15 (22 )
Fixed income 292 272 268 7 9
Total non-money market assets 576 535 601 8 (4 )

Money markets 272 284 262 (4 ) 4
Total assets under management $ 848 $ 819 $ 863 4 (2 )

Three Months Ended
September 30, June 30, August 31,
2009 2009 2008

Balance, beginning of period $ 819 $ 771 $ 895

Net inflows / (outflows)
Alternative investments - (2 ) 9
Equity (1 ) (1 ) (12 )
Fixed income 3 6 3
Total non-money market net inflows / (outflows) 2 3 -

Money markets (12 ) 3 (7 )
Total net inflows / (outflows) (10 ) 6 (7 )

Net market appreciation / (depreciation) 39 42 (25 )

Balance, end of period $ 848 $ 819 $ 863

Principal Investments (14)
$ in millions

As of September 25, 2009
Corporate Real Estate Total

Private $ 10,283 $ 1,703 $ 11,986
Public 2,170 49 2,219
Subtotal 12,453 1,752 14,205
ICBC ordinary shares (15) 6,875 - 6,875
Total $ 19,328 (16)  $ 1,752 $ 21,080

Footnotes

(1) Annualized return on average common shareholders` equity (ROE) is computed by dividing annualized net earnings applicable to common shareholders by average monthly common
shareholders` equity. The one-time preferred dividend of $426 million related to the repurchase of the firm`s TARP preferred stock (calculated as the difference between
the carrying value and the redemption value of the preferred stock) in the second quarter of 2009 was not annualized in the calculation of annualized net earnings
applicable to common shareholders for the nine months ended September 25, 2009 since it has no impact on other quarters in the year. The following table sets forth our
average common shareholders` equity:

Average for the
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended

September 25, 2009 September 25, 2009
(unaudited, $ in millions)
Total shareholders' equity $ 63,634 $ 64,789
Preferred stock (6,957 ) (12,685 )
Common shareholders' equity $ 56,677 $ 52,104

(2) Dealogic - January 1, 2009 through September 25, 2009.

(3) The Federal Reserve Board is the primary U.S. regulator of Group Inc., a bank holding company and a financial holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act. As a
bank holding company, the firm is subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by the Federal Reserve Board. The firm is reporting its Tier 1 capital ratio in
accordance with the regulatory capital requirements currently applicable to bank holding companies, which are based on the Capital Accord of the Basel Committee on
Banking Supervision (Basel I). The Tier 1 capital ratio equals Tier 1 capital divided by total risk-weighted assets. The Tier 1 common ratio equals Tier 1 capital less
preferred stock and junior subordinated debt issued to trusts, divided by total risk-weighted assets. The firm`s risk-weighted assets under Basel I were approximately
$409 billion as of September 25, 2009. The firm also assesses its capital adequacy using an internal risk-based methodology. Under this methodology, the calculation of
the Tier 1 capital ratio is generally consistent with the guidelines set out in the Revised Framework for the International Convergence of Capital Measurement and Capital
Standards issued by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (Basel II). The firm`s risk-weighted assets under this methodology were approximately $404 billion as of
September 25, 2009. These ratios represent preliminary estimates as of the date of this earnings release and may be revised in the firm`s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the fiscal period ended September 25, 2009. For a further discussion of the firm's capital ratios, see "Equity Capital" in Part I, Item 2 "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the firm's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal period ended June 26, 2009.

(4) Tangible common shareholders' equity equals total shareholders' equity less preferred stock, goodwill and identifiable intangible assets. Tangible book value per common
share is computed by dividing tangible common shareholders` equity by the number of common shares outstanding, including restricted stock units granted to employees with
no future service requirements. Management believes that tangible common shareholders` equity is meaningful because it is one of the measures that the firm and investors
use to assess capital adequacy. In addition, management believes that presenting the change in book value and tangible book value per common share excluding the one-time
impact of the repurchase of the firm`s TARP warrant provides a meaningful period-to-period comparison of these measures. The following table sets forth the reconciliation
of total shareholders' equity to tangible common shareholders' equity:

As of September 25, 2009
As reported Add back: Excluding impact of TARP

impact of TARP
warrant repurchase

warrant repurchase
(unaudited, $ in millions)
Total shareholders' equity $ 65,354 $ 1,100 $ 66,454
Preferred stock (6,957 ) - (6,957 )
Common shareholders` equity 58,397 1,100 59,497
Goodwill and identifiable intangible assets (4,934 ) - (4,934 )
Tangible common shareholders` equity $ 53,463 $ 1,100 $ 54,563

(5) The firm`s investment banking transaction backlog represents an estimate of the firm`s future net revenues from investment banking transactions where management believes
that future revenue realization is more likely than not.

(6) This amount represents a preliminary estimate as of the date of this earnings release and may be revised in the firm`s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal period
ended September 25, 2009.

(7) The firm`s global core excess represents a pool of excess liquidity consisting of unencumbered, highly liquid securities that may be sold or pledged to provide same-day
liquidity, as well as overnight cash deposits. This liquidity is intended to allow the firm to meet immediate obligations without the need to sell other assets or depend
on additional funding from credit-sensitive markets in a difficult funding environment. This amount represents the average loan value (the estimated amount of cash that
would be advanced by counterparties against these securities), as well as overnight cash deposits, of the global core excess. For a further discussion of the firm's
global core excess liquidity pool, please see "Liquidity and Funding Risk" in Part I, Item 2 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" in the firm's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal period ended June 26, 2009. This amount represents a preliminary estimate as of the date of this
earnings release and may be revised in the firm`s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal period ended September 25, 2009.

(8) Unvested share-based payment awards that have non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents are treated as a separate class of securities in calculating
earnings per common share. The firm adopted this methodology in the first quarter of fiscal 2009. The impact to basic earnings per common share for the three and nine
months ended September 25, 2009, was a reduction of $0.02 and $0.04 per common share, respectively. Prior periods have not been restated due to immateriality.

(9) Includes employees, consultants and temporary staff.

(10) Compensation and benefits and non-compensation expenses related to consolidated entities held for investment purposes are included in their respective line items in the
consolidated statements of earnings.

(11) VaR is the potential loss in value of the firm`s trading positions due to adverse market movements over a one-day time horizon with a 95% confidence level. The modeling
of the risk characteristics of the firm`s trading positions involves a number of assumptions and approximations. While management believes that these assumptions and
approximations are reasonable, there is no standard methodology for estimating VaR, and different assumptions and/or approximations could produce materially different VaR
estimates. For a further discussion of the calculation of VaR, see "Market Risk" in Part I, Item 2 "Management`s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations" in the firm`s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal period ended June 26, 2009.

(12) Equals the difference between total VaR and the sum of the VaRs for the four risk categories. This effect arises because the four market risk categories are not perfectly
correlated.

(13) Substantially all assets under management are valued as of calendar month-end. Assets under management do not include the firm`s investments in funds that it manages.

(14) Represents investments included within the Principal Investments component of the firm`s Trading and Principal Investments segment.

(15) Includes interests of $4.35 billion as of September 25, 2009 held by investment funds managed by the firm. The fair value of the investment in the ordinary shares of
ICBC, which trade on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, includes the effect of foreign exchange revaluation for which the firm maintains an economic currency hedge.

(16) Excludes the firm`s investment in the convertible preferred stock of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. The firm has hedged all of the common stock underlying this
investment.

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
Media Relations:
Lucas van Praag, 212-902-5400

Investor Relations:
Dane E. Holmes, 212-902-0300

Copyright Business Wire 2009