April 15, 2026
**Goldman
What the sources say
Points of agreement
- •Since late 2018/2019, Goldman Sachs has experienced significant growth in revenues (from ~$36B to ~$60B), earnings (up 120%), and market capitalization (from ~$70B to $300B).
- •CEO David Solomon is consistently optimistic about the outlook for M&A and IPO activity, predicting that 2026 could be a record year.
- •The firm has strategically exited its digital consumer banking business to refocus on its core strengths like global banking, markets, and asset management.
- •The former Special Situations Group (SSG) was a historically large and highly profitable principal investing unit for the firm, managing up to $25 billion at its peak.
Points of disagreement
- •While most sources highlight exceptional financial performance, one report notes a private credit fund within its asset management arm narrowly avoided hitting a 5% redemption cap, suggesting potential underlying stress.
- •David Solomon highlights a massive capital investment boom driven by AI infrastructure, yet states Goldman Sachs does not expect AI to reduce its own headcount, planning instead to reinvest efficiency gains.
- •Sources provide slightly different timelines for the firm's recent growth, citing performance since David Solomon became CEO in October 2018 versus a more specific period starting from the end of 2019.
Sources
Goldman Sachs Chairman and CEO David Solomon on AI, M&A, and Markets
David Solomon provides specific metrics on the firm's growth since 2019, discusses the strategic exit from consumer banking, and shares a bullish outlook for M&A in 2026, fueled by an AI-driven investment boom.
The David Rubenstein Show: David Solomon
This interview highlights Goldman's significant growth in revenue, market capitalization, and trading wallet share since David Solomon became CEO in 2018.
The Investment Firm That Can 'Do Anything' | Sixth Street CEO Alan Waxman
Sixth Street CEO Alan Waxman offers a historical perspective on the scale and profitability of Goldman Sachs' former Special Situations Group, which he helped build.
Ben Horowitz and David Solomon: The Sweetest Macro Spot in 40 Years
David Solomon discusses the firm's current $1.9 trillion balance sheet, its $6 billion technology spend, and the growth of its deposit base to $500 billion.
Trump Says Iran Reached Out on Deal as US Blocks Hormuz | Bloomberg Businessweek Daily 4/13/2026
This source provides a counterpoint to the overall success narrative by reporting that a private credit fund within Goldman's asset management arm recently faced significant redemption pressures.
FULL DISCUSSION: Goldman, JPMorgan, BlackRock CEOs Join Saudi Arabia’s Mega Investment Summit | AQ1B
In this discussion, David Solomon predicts that the current acceleration in M&A and IPO activity will continue.
Related questions
What were the specific financial impacts and write-downs associated with exiting the digital consumer banking business?
→Which specific strategies in Goldman's trading businesses led to the 380 basis point increase in client wallet share over the last five years?
→What are the broader risks and redemption terms across Goldman's $500 billion private assets portfolio, particularly within private credit?
→How is Goldman Sachs specifically deploying its $6 billion annual technology budget to leverage AI for the business growth and reinvestment David Solomon described?
→Ask your own research questions
Search and synthesize across 400+ expert conversations in real time.
Try: “**Goldman”
Search this on Sonic →