Goldman Sachs S&P 500 buffered notes terms
GS Finance Corp., guaranteed by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., is offering S&P 500®-linked buffered notes with an aggregate face amount of $3,750,000.
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Rhea-AI Filing Summary
GS Finance Corp., guaranteed by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., is offering S&P 500®-linked buffered notes with an aggregate face amount of $3,750,000. These notes pay no interest and return at maturity depends entirely on the S&P 500® Index performance from the trade date on January 16, 2026 to the determination date on January 18, 2028.
For each $1,000 note, investors receive the face amount plus the full index gain if the index is above its initial level, but the payoff is capped at a maximum settlement amount of $1,155 (115.5% of face). If the index is flat or down by up to the 20% buffer (i.e., stays at or above 80% of its initial level), investors receive back $1,000. If the index falls below the 80% buffer level, principal is exposed 1-for-1 with index losses below that point, so investors can lose a substantial portion of their investment.
The notes are unsecured obligations subject to the credit risk of GS Finance Corp. and the guarantor. They are not listed on any exchange, may have limited or no secondary market, and the original issue price exceeds the initial estimated value. Tax treatment is uncertain; the issuer intends to treat the notes as prepaid derivative contracts for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
How do the Goldman Sachs (GS) S&P 500 buffered notes determine the payout at maturity?
The cash settlement per $1,000 note depends on the S&P 500® Index level on the determination date versus the initial level of 6,940.01. If the final level is higher, you get $1,000 plus the index return, capped at the maximum settlement amount of $1,155. If the final level is between 80% and 100% of the initial level, you receive $1,000. If it is below 80%, your repayment declines in line with index losses below the buffer, and you may lose a substantial portion of principal.
What is the buffer and maximum return on these GS S&P 500 buffered notes?
The notes have a 20% buffer, meaning principal is protected as long as the S&P 500® final level is at or above 80% of the initial level. The upside is capped by a maximum settlement amount of $1,155 per $1,000 face amount, which corresponds to a maximum total payment of 115.5% of face even if the index more than doubles.
Do the Goldman Sachs S&P 500 buffered notes pay interest?
No. The notes do not bear interest. All return, if any, comes from the cash settlement amount at maturity based on S&P 500® performance. As a result, the overall return may be lower than on a conventional interest-bearing debt security of comparable maturity.
What are the key dates for the GS S&P 500 buffered notes?
The trade date is January 16, 2026, the original issue date is January 22, 2026, the determination date is scheduled for January 18, 2028, and the stated maturity date is January 21, 2028, each subject to adjustment as described in the accompanying documents.
What credit and market risks do investors face with these Goldman Sachs buffered notes?
Repayment depends on the ability of GS Finance Corp. and the guarantor, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., to honor their obligations, so investors are exposed to their credit risk. The notes are unsecured and not insured by the FDIC. Market value before maturity can be affected by S&P 500® levels, volatility, interest rates, time to maturity, and changes in perceived creditworthiness, and there is no assurance of an active secondary market.
How are underwriting discounts and estimated value handled for the GS buffered notes?
The original issue price is 100% of face, with an underwriting discount of 2.55%, resulting in net proceeds of 97.45% of face to the issuer. The pricing supplement states that the original issue price exceeds the estimated value calculated by GS&Co.’s pricing models, and that any initial excess over estimated value will decline to zero on a straight-line basis over a specified period.
What are the U.S. federal tax considerations for the Goldman Sachs S&P 500 buffered notes?
Sidley Austin LLP opines it is reasonable to treat the notes as pre-paid derivative contracts on the S&P 500® Index for U.S. federal income tax purposes, with capital gain or loss recognized at sale, exchange, or maturity. However, the tax treatment is uncertain, the IRS could assert a different view, and the notes are generally subject to FATCA withholding rules. Investors are urged to consult their tax advisors.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.


