Goldman Sachs offers capped S&P 500 notes with 10% buffer
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP INC (GS), through GS Finance Corp., is offering Digital S&P 500 Index-Linked Notes under its Medium-Term Notes, Series F program, fully and unconditionally guaranteed by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. The notes are linked to the S&P 500 Index and have a term expected to be about 46–49 months, with repayment in cash only at maturity and no periodic interest.
For each $1,000 note, investors receive the maximum settlement amounttrigger buffer level
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Key Figures
Face amount per note: $1,000
Maximum settlement amount (example): $1,345.50
Maximum settlement amount (range high): $1,405.30
+4 more
7 metrics
Face amount per note
$1,000
Denomination used for payout and hypothetical examples
Maximum settlement amount (example)
$1,345.50
Lower end of expected cap per $1,000 note
Maximum settlement amount (range high)
$1,405.30
Upper end of expected cap per $1,000 note
Trigger buffer level
90% of the initial underlier level
Threshold above which capped payoff applies
Trigger buffer amount
10%
Difference between initial level and trigger buffer level
Hypothetical payoff at 200% index level
134.550% of face amount
Illustrative capped return when S&P 500 doubles
Hypothetical payoff at 22% index level
22.000% of face amount
Illustrative severe-loss scenario
Key Terms
trigger buffer level, maximum settlement amount, pre-paid derivative contract, section 871(m), +1 more
5 terms
trigger buffer level financial
"If the final underlier level on the determination date is greater than or equal to the trigger buffer level"
maximum settlement amount financial
"you will receive the maximum settlement amount"
pre-paid derivative contract financial
"characterize each note for all tax purposes as a pre-paid derivative contract"
section 871(m) financial
"not be subject to dividend equivalent withholding under section 871(m) of the Internal Revenue Code"
A U.S. tax rule that treats certain payments from financial contracts (like options, swaps, and other instruments that mimic stock dividends) to non-U.S. investors as if they were direct dividends, requiring U.S. withholding tax. It matters to investors because it can reduce net returns on offshore trades that replicate U.S. equity income and may change pricing or counterparty behavior—think of it as a hidden sales tax that applies when a substitute payment acts like a dividend.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) Withholding financial
"Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) withholding will generally apply"
Offering Details
shelf
Offering
Offering Type
shelf
FAQ
What are the GS (GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP INC) Digital S&P 500 Index-Linked Notes?
These notes are unsecured obligations of GS Finance Corp., guaranteed by Goldman Sachs, linked to the S&P 500 Index. They pay no interest and provide a potentially enhanced, but capped, payout at maturity based on index performance over roughly 46–49 months.
How is the maturity payment on the GS Digital S&P 500 Notes calculated?
At maturity, for each $1,000 note you receive either the maximum settlement amount (if the S&P 500 is at or above 90% of its initial level) or $1,000 plus $1,000 times the index return (if below 90%), which can result in total loss of principal.
What are the key levels and caps on these GS S&P 500-linked notes (symbol GS)?
Key features include a trigger buffer level at 90% of the initial S&P 500 level, a trigger buffer amount of 10%, and a maximum settlement amount expected between $1,345.50 and $1,405.30 per $1,000 note, which caps upside regardless of further index gains.
Do the GS Digital S&P 500 Notes pay interest or dividends?
No. The notes do not bear interest, and holders receive no dividends or other distributions from S&P 500 companies. The entire economic outcome comes from the capped maturity payment, which may be less than principal and can be zero if the index falls sharply.
What are the main risks of investing in the GS Digital S&P 500 Notes (GS)?
Investors face full principal loss if the S&P 500 ends below the 90% trigger buffer, credit risk of GS Finance Corp. and Goldman Sachs, limited upside due to the cap, potentially illiquid secondary markets, and uncertain U.S. tax treatment of the notes.
How are these GS S&P 500-linked notes treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes?
Goldman intends to treat the notes as a pre-paid derivative contract on the S&P 500, so gain or loss at sale or maturity would generally be capital. However, the tax characterization is uncertain and the IRS could assert a different treatment; investors should consult tax advisors.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.


