Shares of global investment bank Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) fell 7.6% in the afternoon session after the release of a stronger-than-anticipated Producer Price Index (PPI) report showed wholesale inflation rose more than expected in January.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the PPI, a key measure of inflation at the wholesale level, increased by 0.5% last month, significantly above the 0.3% consensus forecast from economists. On a year-over-year basis, the index rose 2.9%. This unexpectedly high reading suggests that inflationary pressures in the supply chain are more persistent than previously thought.
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The data has dampened investor optimism for near-term interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve, as the central bank is less likely to lower borrowing costs while inflation remains elevated. This shift in expectations for monetary policy triggered a broad sell-off across the market, as traders adjusted to the possibility of interest rates remaining higher for longer.
Compounding these worries are growing anxieties in the credit markets. According to a Bank of America strategist, problem loans are an increasing concern that could pressure lenders. Investors are reassessing credit risk, particularly in private-credit and leveraged-loan markets, weighing on the valuations of banks sensitive to the economic cycle.
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Goldman Sachs’s shares are not very volatile and have only had 5 moves greater than 5% over the last year. In that context, today’s move indicates the market considers this news meaningful, although it might not be something that would fundamentally change its perception of the business.
The biggest move we wrote about over the last year was 4 months ago when the stock gained 4% on the news that reports revealed that it was closing in on a deal to acquire a majority stake in Excel Sports Management, a major sports agency. The asset management division of the investment bank was in advanced discussions to buy a controlling stake in the agency, which represents stars like Tiger Woods and Caitlin Clark, at a valuation close to $1 billion. This move was seen as an expansion of Goldman’s presence in mid-sized corporate buyouts and its growing interest in the sports industry. The broader market sentiment also provided a tailwind, as major indices hit record highs following a positive inflation report that fueled hopes for interest rate cuts.