OREANDA-NEWS. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE: GS) today reported net revenues of $6.86 billion and net earnings of $1.43 billion for the third quarter ended September 30, 2015. Diluted earnings per common share were $2.90 compared with $4.57 for the third quarter of 2014 and $1.98 for the second quarter of 2015. Annualized return on average common shareholders’ equity (ROE) was 7.0% for the third quarter of 2015 and 8.8% for the first nine months of 2015.

Highlights

Goldman Sachs ranked first in worldwide announced and completed mergers and acquisitions for the year-to-date, and also ranked first in worldwide equity and equity-related offerings and common stock offerings for the year-to-date.

Investment Banking produced year-to-date net revenues of $5.48 billion, its highest performance for the first nine months of the year since 2007.

Investment Management generated year-to-date net revenues of $4.65 billion, a record for the first nine months of the year. Assets under supervision ended the quarter at a record $1.19 trillion, with net inflows in long-term assets under supervision of $41 billion during the quarter.

Book value per common share and tangible book value per common share of $171.45 and $162.11, respectively, were both 5% higher compared with the end of 2014.

The firm continues to maintain strong capital ratios and liquidity. As of September 30, 2015, the firm’s Common Equity Tier 1 ratio as computed in accordance with both the Standardized approach and the Basel III Advanced approach was 12.4% and 12.7%, respectively. In addition, the firm’s global core liquid assets were $193 billion as of September 30, 2015.

“We experienced lower levels of activity and declining asset prices during the quarter, reflecting renewed concerns about global economic growth,” said Lloyd C. Blankfein, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We continue to see strong levels of activity in Investment Banking and growth in Investment Management, and looking ahead, are encouraged by the competitive positioning of our global client franchise. Our focus on serving our clients and improving operating leverage puts us in a strong position to generate superior returns for our shareholders.”