GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP INC
424B3, 1999-12-21
SECURITY BROKERS, DEALERS & FLOTATION COMPANIES
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<PAGE>   1

                                                Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
                                            Registration Statement No. 333-75321

            Prospectus Supplement E to Prospectus dated May 18, 1999

                                $15,000,000,000

                         THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC.

[GOLDMAN SACHS LOGO]      Medium-Term Notes, Series B

                            ------------------------

     You should read this prospectus supplement, which describes the fourth
quarter and full year earnings reported by Goldman Sachs, in conjunction with
the prospectus dated May 18, 1999 and Prospectus Supplement D dated October 7,
1999.

     See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 11 of the prospectus dated May 18,
1999 to read about factors you should consider before investing in any notes.

                            ------------------------

     NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY OTHER REGULATORY
BODY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY
OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                            ------------------------

     Goldman Sachs may sell the notes directly or through one or more agents or
dealers, including the agent listed below. The agents are not required to sell
any particular amount of the notes.

     Goldman Sachs may use this prospectus supplement in the initial sale of any
note. In addition, Goldman, Sachs & Co. or any other affiliate of Goldman Sachs
may use this prospectus supplement in a market-making transaction in any note
after its initial sale. UNLESS GOLDMAN SACHS OR ITS AGENT INFORMS THE PURCHASER
OTHERWISE IN THE CONFIRMATION OF SALE, THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS BEING USED
IN A MARKET-MAKING TRANSACTION.

                              GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.

                            ------------------------

                 Prospectus Supplement dated December 21, 1999.
                                   Page 1 of 5
<PAGE>   2

                              RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

     On December 21, 1999, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. reported net earnings
of $723 million for its fiscal fourth quarter ended November 26, 1999. Net
earnings for the full fiscal year ended November 26, 1999 were $2.7 billion. Net
earnings for the year were reduced by non-recurring items of $672 million
related to Goldman Sachs' conversion to corporate form in May.

                              BUSINESS LINE REVIEW

INVESTMENT BANKING

     FOURTH QUARTER.  Net revenues in Investment Banking were $1.3 billion, a
13% increase over the prior quarter and 59% above the same 1998 period. Goldman
Sachs' equity underwriting and advisory businesses, both in the United States
and internationally, performed strongly as buoyant global equity markets
continued to stimulate healthy deal flow in both new issues and mergers and
acquisitions. Net revenue growth compared to last year's fourth quarter was
particularly strong in the communications, media and entertainment, high
technology and energy and power sectors.

     FULL YEAR.  Investment Banking generated net revenues of $4.4 billion for
the full year, a 29% increase over 1998. Goldman Sachs' equity underwriting
business benefited from favorable global economic conditions, which led major
equity market indices higher and new issue activity to record levels. Goldman
Sachs maintained its leading position in the advisory business and benefited
from an increase in global merger and acquisition activity. Net revenue growth
was driven by strong performances in the United States and Europe, particularly
in the communications, media and entertainment, high technology, energy and
power, and healthcare sectors.

TRADING AND PRINCIPAL INVESTMENTS

     FOURTH QUARTER.  Net revenues in Trading and Principal Investments were
$1.3 billion for the quarter, substantially above last year's fourth quarter in
all major components of the business, but 14% lower than the third quarter of
1999, primarily due to reduced customer activity in commodities and lower
transaction flow in both foreign currency and fixed income markets. The increase
in FICC net revenues compared to the fourth quarter of 1998 was primarily due to
a recovery in the fixed income markets, which were negatively affected a year
ago by a dramatic widening of credit spreads and reduced liquidity. Net revenues
in equities increased over the prior year period primarily due to strength in
derivatives and arbitrage and improved performance in convertible securities.
Net revenues in principal investments increased over the prior year period due
to mark-to-market gains on certain of Goldman Sachs' merchant banking
investments, particularly in the telecommunications and high technology sectors.

     FULL YEAR.  Net revenues in Trading and Principal Investments were $5.8
billion compared to $2.4 billion in 1998, as substantially all components of the
business recovered from the global market turmoil of the second half of 1998.
Net revenues in FICC nearly doubled as growth in Goldman Sachs' credit-sensitive
businesses and commodities was partially offset by lower net revenues in
currencies. The significant net revenue growth in equities was primarily due to
strength in arbitrage and convertibles and increased customer flow in
derivatives and global shares. Net revenues from principal investments increased
dramatically due to mark-to-market gains on certain of Goldman Sachs' merchant
banking investments, particularly in the high technology and telecommunications
sectors.

ASSET MANAGEMENT AND SECURITIES SERVICES

     FOURTH QUARTER.  Net revenues in Asset Management and Securities Services
were $917 million, an increase of 13% over the third quarter and 21% above the
fourth quarter of 1998. Asset

                                   Page 2 of 5
<PAGE>   3

management revenues increased 47% over last year's fourth quarter, primarily
reflecting a 29% increase in average assets under management. Securities
services net revenues were 3% lower than the same 1998 period as net revenue
growth in Goldman Sachs' securities lending and margin lending businesses was
offset by reduced spreads in the fixed income matched book. Commissions rose by
21% compared to the prior year period due to higher worldwide transaction
volumes in equity securities.

     FULL YEAR.  Net revenues in Asset Management and Securities Services were
$3.2 billion, an increase of 16% compared to fiscal 1998. Asset management
revenues increased 36%, primarily reflecting a 32% increase in average assets
under management as well as favorable changes in the composition of assets
managed. Securities services net revenues were up 6%, due to increased customer
balances in Goldman Sachs' securities lending and margin lending businesses,
partially offset by reduced spreads in the fixed income matched book.
Commissions rose by 11% as fees earned on higher transaction volumes in equity
securities were partially offset by a reduction in Goldman Sachs' increased
share of gains from its merchant banking funds.

                                 EXPENSE REVIEW

     Operating expenses were $11.4 billion for the full fiscal year, including
non-recurring charges of $2.5 billion related to Goldman Sachs' conversion to
corporate form. The ratio of compensation and benefits to net revenues was 48.4%
for the full year, compared to 50% for the nine-month fiscal period ended August
27, 1999. Non-compensation-related expenses, excluding the charitable
contribution of $200 million made in connection with Goldman Sachs' conversion
to corporate form, rose 23% compared to 1998, due to higher employment levels,
global expansion and growth in business activity.

     Goldman Sachs' effective tax rate for the corporate period from May 7, 1999
to the end of the fiscal year was 40%, excluding a non-recurring tax benefit of
$1.8 billion related to its conversion to corporate form.

                                    CAPITAL

     As of November 26, 1999, total capital was $31.1 billion, consisting of
$10.1 billion in stockholders' equity and $21.0 billion in long-term debt. Book
value per share was $20.94, based on common shares outstanding, including
restricted stock units granted to employees with no future service requirements,
of 484,566,184 at period end.

                                    DIVIDEND

     On December 20, 1999, the Board of Directors of The Goldman Sachs Group,
Inc. declared a dividend of $0.12 per share to be paid on February 24, 2000, to
voting and nonvoting common shareholders of record on January 24, 2000.

                                   Page 3 of 5
<PAGE>   4

                 THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                           BUSINESS LINE NET REVENUES
                                  (unaudited)
                                ($ in millions)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   THREE MONTHS ENDED               CHANGE FROM          FISCAL YEAR ENDED    CHANGE FROM
                            --------------------------------   ---------------------    -------------------   -----------
                            NOV. 26,   AUGUST 27,   NOV. 27,   AUGUST 27,   NOV. 27,    NOV. 26,   NOV. 27,    NOV. 27,
                              1999        1999        1998        1999        1998        1999       1998        1998
                            --------   ----------   --------   ----------   --------    --------   --------    --------
<S>                         <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
Investment Banking
Financial advisory........   $  622      $  616      $ 414          1%          50%     $ 2,270     $1,774         28%
Underwriting..............      683         534        407         28           68        2,089      1,594         31
                             ------      ------      -----                              -------     ------
Total Investment
  Banking.................   $1,305      $1,150      $ 821         13           59      $ 4,359     $3,368         29
                             ------      ------      -----                              -------     ------

Trading and Principal
  Investments
FICC......................   $  414      $  661      $(671)       (37)%       N.M.%     $ 2,862     $1,438         99%
Equities..................      430         458        136         (6)         216        1,961        795        147
Principal investments.....      407         328       (128)        24         N.M.          950        146       N.M.
                             ------      ------      -----                              -------     ------
Total Trading and
  Principal Investments...   $1,251      $1,447      $(663)       (14)        N.M.      $ 5,773     $2,379        143
                             ------      ------      -----                              -------     ------

Asset Management and
  Securities Services
Asset management..........   $  282      $  221      $ 192         28%          47%     $   919     $  675         36%
Securities services.......      196         195        202          1           (3)         772        730          6
Commissions...............      439         395        363         11           21        1,522      1,368         11
                             ------      ------      -----                              -------     ------
Total Asset Management and
  Securities Services.....   $  917      $  811      $ 757         13           21      $ 3,213     $2,773         16
                             ------      ------      -----                              -------     ------
Total net revenues........   $3,473       3,408      $ 915          2          280      $13,345     $8,520         57
                             ======      ======      =====                              =======     ======
</TABLE>

                                     * * *

                            ASSETS UNDER SUPERVISION
                                  (unaudited)
                                ($ in millions)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  AS OF                      CHANGE FROM          AS OF
                                     --------------------------------   ---------------------    --------
                                     NOV. 26,   AUGUST 27,   NOV. 27,   AUGUST 27,   NOV. 27,    NOV. 28,
                                       1999        1999        1998        1999        1998        1997
                                     --------   ----------   --------   ----------   --------    --------
<S>                                  <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>         <C>
Assets under management............  $258,045    $220,522    $194,821        17%         32%     $135,929
Other client assets................   227,424     192,034     142,018        18          60       102,033
                                     --------    --------    --------                            --------
Total assets under supervision.....  $485,469    $412,556    $336,839        18          44      $237,962
                                     ========    ========    ========                            ========
</TABLE>

                                   Page 4 of 5
<PAGE>   5

                 THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                                  (unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           THREE MONTHS ENDED                      YEAR ENDED
                                ----------------------------------------   ---------------------------
                                NOVEMBER 26,   AUGUST 27,   NOVEMBER 27,   NOVEMBER 26,   NOVEMBER 27,
                                    1999          1999          1998           1999           1998
                                ------------   ----------   ------------   ------------   ------------
                                          (in millions, except share and per share amounts)
<S>                             <C>            <C>          <C>            <C>            <C>
Revenues:
Investment banking..........       $1,305        $1,150        $  821        $ 4,359        $ 3,368
Trading and principal
  investments...............        1,218         1,423          (704)         5,758          2,015
Asset management and
  securities services.......          736           629           554          2,524          2,085
Interest income.............        3,453         3,238         3,606         12,722         15,010
                                   ------        ------        ------        -------        -------
         Total revenues.....        6,712         6,440         4,277         25,363         22,478

Interest expense,
  principally on short-term
  funding...................        3,239         3,032         3,362         12,018         13,958
                                   ------        ------        ------        -------        -------
  Revenues, net of interest
    expense.................        3,473         3,408           915         13,345          8,520

Operating expenses:
Compensation and benefits,
  excluding employee initial
  public offering awards....        1,527         1,704           272          6,459          3,838
Non-recurring employee
  initial public offering
  awards....................           --            --            --          2,257             --
Amortization of employee
  initial public offering
  awards....................          114           115            --            268             --
Brokerage, clearing and
  exchange fees.............          118           108           123            446            424
Market development..........          117            92            86            364            287
Communications and
  technology................           82            75            76            306            265
Depreciation and
  amortization..............          108            71            84            337            242
Occupancy...................           93            76            60            314            207
Professional services and
  other.....................          105            85           107            402            336
Charitable contribution.....           --            --            --            200             --
                                   ------        ------        ------        -------        -------
         Total operating
           expenses.........        2,264         2,326           808         11,353          5,599
Pre-tax earnings............        1,209         1,082           107          1,992          2,921
Provision/(benefit) for
  taxes.....................          486           444            63           (716)           493
                                   ------        ------        ------        -------        -------
Net earnings................       $  723        $  638        $   44        $ 2,708        $ 2,428
                                   ======        ======        ======        =======        =======
Earnings per share:
Basic.......................         1.51        $ 1.34                      $  5.69
Diluted.....................         1.48          1.32                         5.57
Average common shares
  outstanding:
Basic.......................    477,395,104    474,694,245                 475,883,756
Diluted.....................    489,011,804    483,892,677                 485,803,960
</TABLE>

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