New York, Jan 24, 2026, 15:08 EST — Market closed.
- Goldman Sachs shares dropped 3.75% on Friday, ending the day at $918.88.
- The bank revealed that CEO David Solomon’s compensation for 2025 climbed to $47 million.
- Investors are turning their attention to the Fed meeting on Jan. 27–28 and a packed earnings calendar for clues on market direction.
Goldman Sachs shares (GS.N) dropped 3.75%, closing Friday at $918.88, putting the Wall Street giant under pressure as markets reopen Monday. 1
The timing couldn’t be more awkward. Markets head into next week facing a Federal Reserve decision alongside a flood of major earnings reports, following a geopolitics-driven shock that rattled risk appetite earlier this month. “It’s been a little bit of a short but steep roller-coaster ride,” said Yung‑Yu Ma, chief investment strategist at PNC Financial Services Group. 2
Goldman revealed in a Friday SEC filing that its board approved CEO David Solomon’s total compensation for 2025 at $47 million, up from $39 million in 2024. The $45 million variable pay package breaks down to $31.5 million in performance share units—stock awards linked to company performance—alongside $10.1 million in cash and $3.4 million in carried interest, reflecting a share of investment gains. The compensation committee highlighted a 57% total shareholder return in 2025, a 33% boost in dividends, and nearly $17 billion returned to common shareholders. The firm reported net revenues of $58.28 billion and a 15.0% return on equity, a key profitability metric. 3
Reuters revealed Solomon’s pay rose by 20.5%, pushing his total compensation past JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon’s $43 million reported just a day before. Goldman’s shares climbed 53.5% in 2025, Reuters noted, while the bank appointed President and COO John Waldron to its board, underscoring his potential as a successor. 4
Goldman’s shares dropped on Friday amid a broader market pullback, with the Dow slipping 0.58% and the S&P 500 ending close to unchanged. Intel’s weak forecast dragged sentiment lower, as investors also digested fresh developments out of Washington. “We feel pretty good about where we are today,” said Jason Blackwell, chief investment strategist at Focus Partners Wealth, though he cautioned the year might still throw some curveballs. 5
Goldman knows the dynamic well. Active markets boost trading desks, yet a prolonged risk-off stance usually cools mergers, IPOs, and other fee-heavy investment banking deals.
The Fed’s policy meeting spans Jan. 27–28, with the statement set for 2 p.m. ET on Jan. 28. Chair Jerome Powell will speak half an hour afterward, according to the central bank’s calendar. 6
Rate expectations carry double weight: they reshape client moves between equities and fixed income, and they influence how boldly companies chase deals and capital raises. That hits Goldman’s revenue where it counts.
Risks remain. Another flare-up in trade tensions, a slip in major tech earnings, or a surge in bond volatility could shake confidence and weigh on financial stocks like Goldman more than the wider market.
Wednesday, Jan. 28, is the next major event to watch: the Fed decision and Powell’s press conference. Investors will be focused on any hints of a shift in the rate path, which could reshape the outlook for bank stocks as January wraps up.
