By Geoffrey Smith
Investing.com -- Goldman Sachs' (NYSE:GS) earnings per share plummeted in the final quarter of the year, coming in some 40% below analysts' expectations due to a sharp drop in revenue from asset and wealth management, as well as higher credit provisions and higher operating costs.
Goldman said earnings per share totaled $3.32 in the quarter, down by two-thirds from a year earlier, and well below consensus forecasts of $5.56 a share. Revenue fell slightly short of expectations at $10.59 billion, down 16% from a year earlier, as its fees from asset and wealth management fell 27%.
The bank also booked charges of $972M against potential losses on its credit card and its point-of-sale loan portfolios.
Goldman Sachs stock fell 1.5% in premarket trading in response.