Scientech Research LLC Makes New $1.20 Million Investment in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. $GS

Key Points

• Scientech Research LLC has acquired a new stake of 2,197 shares in The Goldman Sachs Group, valued at approximately $1.2 million, reflecting strong institutional interest in the company's stock.
• The Goldman Sachs Group reported $10.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the last quarter, exceeding analysts' expectations and contributing to a 14.5% year-over-year revenue growth.
• The company announced an increase in its quarterly dividend to $4.00 per share from the previous $3.00, which translates to an annualized yield of 2.2%.

Scientech Research LLC purchased a new stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS - Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 2,197 shares of the investment management company's stock, valued at approximately $1,200,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. Sepio Capital LP grew its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 5.1% in the first quarter. Sepio Capital LP now owns 1,224 shares of the investment management company's stock worth $669,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares during the period. Raab & Moskowitz Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 0.9% in the first quarter. Raab & Moskowitz Asset Management LLC now owns 2,020 shares of the investment management company's stock worth $1,104,000 after acquiring an additional 19 shares during the last quarter. Rise Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 2.9% in the first quarter. Rise Advisors LLC now owns 704 shares of the investment management company's stock worth $384,000 after acquiring an additional 20 shares during the last quarter. Plancorp LLC grew its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 11.8% in the first quarter. Plancorp LLC now owns 751 shares of the investment management company's stock worth $410,000 after acquiring an additional 79 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Murchinson Ltd. grew its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 100.0% in the first quarter. Murchinson Ltd. now owns 10,000 shares of the investment management company's stock worth $5,463,000 after acquiring an additional 5,000 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.21% of the company's stock.

The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Performance

The Goldman Sachs Group stock traded up $21.82 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $763.67. 2,609,385 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,569,345. The firm has a market capitalization of $231.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 1.41. The business has a 50 day moving average of $725.43 and a two-hundred day moving average of $628.27. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $439.38 and a 12 month high of $765.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.57, a current ratio of 0.67 and a quick ratio of 0.67.

The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 16th. The investment management company reported $10.91 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $9.82 by $1.09. The company had revenue of $14.58 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.53 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 12.37% and a return on equity of 14.32%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 14.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $8.62 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 earnings per share for the current year.

The Goldman Sachs Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 29th. Investors of record on Friday, August 29th will be given a dividend of $4.00 per share. This represents a $16.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.1%. This is a positive change from The Goldman Sachs Group's previous quarterly dividend of $3.00. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group's payout ratio is currently 35.26%.

Insider Activity at The Goldman Sachs Group

In related news, EVP John F.W. Rogers sold 6,008 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $717.39, for a total transaction of $4,310,079.12. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 65,761 shares in the company, valued at $47,176,283.79. This represents a 8.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO David M. Solomon sold 6,608 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $712.31, for a total transaction of $4,706,944.48. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 126,176 shares in the company, valued at approximately $89,876,426.56. This trade represents a 4.98% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 38,323 shares of company stock worth $28,111,828 in the last three months. 0.55% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently commented on GS. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued a "sector perform" rating on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, July 12th. Citigroup increased their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $550.00 to $700.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Monday, July 21st. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $650.00 to $785.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 8th. Finally, Citizens Jmp reiterated a "market perform" rating on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a report on Monday, July 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $660.00.

About The Goldman Sachs Group

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements.