Goldman Sachs (GS $146.99 +0.54) reported first quarter earnings of $4.29 per share, $0.43 better than the Capital IQ consensus of $3.86, while revenues rose 1.4% year/year to $10.09 billion versus the $9.72 billion consensus. Book value per common share and tangible book value per common share both increased approximately 3% during the quarter to $148.41 and $138.62, respectively. Tier 1 capital ratio was 14.4% and the firm's Tier 1 common ratio was 12.7% as of March 31, 2013, in each case under Basel 1 and reflecting the revised market risk regulatory capital requirements which became effective on January 1, 2013. Investment Banking Net revenues in Investment Banking were $1.57 billion, 36% higher y/y and 12% q/q. Financial Advisory revenues were $484 million, essentially unchanged y/y. Underwriting business revenues were $1.08 billion, 63% higher y/y; increase primarily reflected significantly higher net revenues in debt underwriting, due to leveraged finance and commercial mortgage-related activity; Equity underwriting revenues were also significantly higher y/y reflecting an increase in client activity. Investment banking transaction backlog decreased compared with the end of 2012. Net revenues in Institutional Client Services were $5.14 billion, 10% lower y/y and 18% higher q/q. Net revenues in FICC Execution were $3.22 billion, 7% lower y/y. Net revenues were lower across most businesses, primarily reflecting significantly lower net revenues in interest rate products compared with a strong first quarter of 2012. Net revenues in mortgages were higher y/y.

During the quarter, Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities Client Execution operated in an environment characterized by generally tighter credit spreads and improved client activity levels compared with the fourth quarter of 2012. Net revenues in Equities were $1.92 billion, 15% lower y/y, primarily reflecting lower net revenues in equities client execution. This decrease reflected significantly lower net revenues in derivatives compared with a strong first quarter of 2012, partially offset by higher net revenues in cash products. Commissions and fees were lower y/y, reflecting lower market volumes. Securities services net revenues were lower y/y. During the quarter, Equities operated in an environment generally characterized by an increase in global equity prices, lower volatility levels and improved client activity levels compared with the fourth quarter of 2012. The net loss attributable to the impact of changes in the firm's own credit spreads on borrowings for which the fair value option was elected was $77 million compared with a net loss of $224 million in prior year.. Operating expenses were $6.72 billion, essentially unchanged compared with the first quarter of 2012 and 36% higher than the fourth quarter of 2012.

Compensation and Benefits was $4.34 billion for the first quarter of 2013, essentially unchanged compared with the first quarter of 2012. The ratio of compensation and benefits to net revenues for the first quarter of 2013 was 43.0%, compared with 44.0% for the first quarter of 2012. Non-compensation expenses were $2.38 billion, essentially unchanged compared with the first quarter of 2012 and 19% lower than the fourth quarter of 2012. During the quarter, the firm repurchased 10.1 million shares of its common stock at an average cost per share of $150.53, for a total cost of $1.52 billion. On April 15, 2013, the Board of Directors of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (Group Inc.) authorized the repurchase of an additional 75.0 million shares of common stock pursuant to the firm's existing share repurchase program.

Goldman Sachs (GS $146.99 +0.54) reported first quarter earnings of $4.29 per share, $0.43 better than the Capital IQ consensus of $3.86, while