Goldman Sachs posted its best profit since the third quarter of 2021, driven by bankers who brought in more fees from dealmaking, debt sales and strength in trading, sending its shares up 3% before the bell.

Goldman Sachs said its profit more than doubled in the fourth quarter, boosted by companies’ growing appetite for dealmaking. Profit jumped 105% to $4.11 billion. That amounted to $11.95 per share, which was far better than the $8.

Goldman Sachs drove $14.28 billion of profit in 2024, up 68% from the year earlier, reflecting gains in investment banking and trading. Fourth-quarter per-share earnings of $11.95 handily topped analysts’ estimates of $8.

JPMorgan, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs and Citi kicked off earnings season on Wednesday with their December-quarter results.

Big bank profits surged in the fourth quarter and Wall Street roared back to life, with net income rising 50% at JPMorgan Chase and more than doubling at Goldman Sachs.

Shares of Goldman Sachs Group Inc (GS) rose nearly 5% on Wednesday after the bank’s fourth-quarter earnings topped Wall Street estimates by a wide margin. The bank reported earnings per share (EPS) of $11.

Goldman's fourth-quarter results will give investors a preview of what to expect this year, as investment banking and trading fees are both expected to rise.