Communist tool; is that the best you can come up with? So far I gave you a cogent analysis of why their stiffing of shareholders as well as moral agenda considering the circumstances is unacceptable, and the best you can do is: #1) Call me a communist and #2) Imply I wish I had the benefit of a goldman job (who wouldn't) Last I checked, GS got $12B in government injections and distributed $14B to its employees. That sounds like an entitlement to me (communist isn't the right word, dumbass). I'm not advocating $14B gets divvied out to subprime borrows - I am advocating it gets divvied out to NOBODY. Who is the communist/socialist now? Obviously Goldman can't achieve a higher rate of return on capital than by just distributing cash to their employees. Last I checked, there were thousands of foreclosures out there yielding 10%+ on a rent cashflow basis... billions in underpriced muni bonds, etc... And you are telling me they don't have a better place to put that capital? To me, they don't sound like such geniuses, or even worth their paygrade. Goldman is F U capitalism without a sense of morality. Capitalism can occur with morality and fulfillment of shareholder obligation, and that in no way is socialistic. In fact, it is capitalistic and honorable. Any idiot in business knows you can't perpetually fuck everyone over and last in the long term. ... Which is precisely why GS acts like this - they are taking their cash out while they can. I'm a moron only to waste my time talking to someone online like you.
scriabinop23, you really don't get it. GS didn't ask for these $12bn and didn't need them. It was forced upon them with the result of people like you spreading lies. GS is an extremely profitable business rewarding both its shareholders and it employees (themselves shareholders). Check their quarterly earnings.
What don't I get? $10B in earnings for 07, 5.6B for next year. Why is $14B justified to be stolen from the shareholders?
GS is exceptional because of its employees (they also own 35% of the firm). Shareholders understand that.
WMT had $378B in revenue in Q4 07 yet its gross profit was $92B, its net was $12B it's called cost of revenue. if you dont like that business model because you think its silly, fine but the shareholders are aware of the human capital needs of investment banks and yet they still hold the shares
I wish someone would force that kind of money upon me, even though I don't need it . So all you Goldman cheer leaders cut the crap and STFU.
GS is not exceptional because of anything but management's connection to the treasury. The common shares are getting shortchanged their book value, and there is no way around that argument. These 'intellectual capital' as an untangible asset arguments are weak and don't pass rigour of analysis. Last I heard, George Bush was a 'nice guy to be our president' according to half of our populous. Look at that, 50% of the market was wrong about something! I'm not advocating shorting GS - but there is no doubt their corporate behavior is in no way honorable.
14B / 32500 employees = $430K per employee bonus. That on top of normal salaries, stock options, etc. That includes secretaries, janitors, and everyone else. And the gall to compare that to Walmart... Your head is up your ass if you really believe the bullshit you are spouting.