Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) sells S&P 500‑linked notes maturing May 26, 2027
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
GS Finance Corp. offers principal-at-risk, S&P 500®-linked medium-term notes, guaranteed by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. The notes have a $1,000 face amount per note and an aggregate face amount of $11,295,000. Payment at maturity depends on the S&P 500 final level versus an 85% buffer level: if the final underlier level is greater than or equal to 85% of the initial level, holders receive a capped maximum settlement amount of $1,078.80 per $1,000 face amount; if the final underlier level is below the buffer, holders incur losses equal to approximately 1.1765% of face amount for every 1% decline below the buffer and could lose their entire investment. The notes pay no interest, mature on May 26, 2027 (determination date May 21, 2027), were issued at 100% of face amount with a 1% underwriting discount, and the issuer bears credit risk of GS Finance Corp. and The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
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Insights
These are capped, principal-at-risk index-linked notes with a defined downside buffer and no coupon.
The notes link payoff to the S&P 500® Index with a May 26, 2027 maturity and a buffer level set at 85% of the initial index level. Holders receive the capped maximum settlement of $1,078.80 per $1,000 if the final underlier level is ≥ the buffer; below the buffer the loss scales at approximately 1.1765% of face per 1% index decline below the buffer.
The primary dependencies are index performance and issuer/guarantor credit. Secondary-market liquidity is uncertain because the notes are unlisted and market-making is voluntary. Subsequent disclosures in trading confirmations will show any differing issue price or concessions.
Tax treatment is uncertain; issuer counsel opines notes are pre-paid derivatives.
Counsel (Sidley Austin LLP) advises that the notes may be treated as a pre-paid derivative contract for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in which case sale or maturity generally produces capital gain or loss measured by cash received versus tax basis. This characterization is an opinion and not definitive.
Foreign investors face FATCA and potentially section 871(m) considerations; the excerpt states the notes are not subject to dividend-equivalent withholding as of the issue date but warns of possible alternate IRS positions. Consult a tax advisor for personal treatment.


