ServiceNow-linked notes from GS Finance (NYSE: GS) capped at $1,420 per $1,000
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
GS Finance Corp. offers $Digital Equity-Linked Notes due 2027, guaranteed by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. The notes are cash-settled instruments linked to the common stock of ServiceNow, Inc. with an initial underlier level of $93.59 (closing level on May 7, 2026), a trigger buffer level of 70% and a maximum settlement amount of $1,420 per $1,000 face amount. The trade date is May 8, 2026, original issue date is May 13, 2026, the determination date is November 8, 2027 and the stated maturity date is November 12, 2027.
Payment at maturity is cash only: if the final underlier level is greater than or equal to the 70% trigger buffer level you receive the capped maximum settlement amount; if the final underlier level is below the trigger buffer level you lose 1% of face amount for each 1% decline below the initial level (you could lose your entire investment). The notes pay no interest and are subject to the credit risk of GS Finance Corp. and The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
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Insights
These are capped, principal-at-risk equity-linked notes tied to ServiceNow with a 70% downside trigger.
The notes provide a capped upside of $1,420 per $1,000 face amount if the final underlier level is >= the 70% trigger buffer, otherwise holders suffer a linear loss equal to the underlier return applied to face amount. They pay no interest and settle in cash on maturity.
Key dependencies include the final underlier closing level on November 8, 2027, model-driven secondary-market pricing from GS&Co., and the creditworthiness of GS Finance Corp. and The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Liquidity and market value prior to maturity are not guaranteed.
U.S. federal tax characterization is uncertain; counsel views the notes as prepaid derivatives.
Counsel (Sidley Austin LLP) states it is reasonable to treat these notes as a pre-paid derivative contract for U.S. federal income tax purposes, with capital gain or loss on sale, exchange, or maturity. The filing also notes potential application of FATCA and the 871(m) rules in certain circumstances.
Investors should obtain tax advice; the filing discloses uncertainty and a potential for different IRS treatment, which could materially change timing or character of income.


