Goldman Slides to 63rd in Trading Volume Amid Insider Sales and Strategic Shift to AWM Growth

On August 29, 2025, Goldman Sachs (GS) closed with a 0.79% decline, trading at a volume of $1.09 billion, ranking 63rd in market activity. The stock's performance reflects ongoing investor scrutiny amid mixed signals from insider activity and sector dynamics.

Insider selling by key executives, including COO John Waldron, who liquidated $13.7 million in shares, has fueled speculation about liquidity management versus underlying concerns. Despite this, Goldman’s Q2 2025 results showed a 15% year-over-year revenue increase to $14.58 billion, driven by investment banking and AI-driven initiatives. The firm also returned $3.96 billion to shareholders via buybacks and dividends, highlighting its commitment to capital deployment.

Strategic shifts, such as exiting underperforming consumer banking segments and focusing on Asset & Wealth Management (AWM), position Goldman to capitalize on recurring revenue streams. CEO David Solomon emphasized AWM’s strategic importance during the second-quarter earnings call, noting the need for scale in expanding this division. Meanwhile, regulatory easing under the Trump administration, including streamlined approval processes for mergers, supports a robust dealmaking environment, which could boost investment banking fees.

Valuation metrics favor Goldman over peers like Evercore. GS trades at a forward P/E of 14.99x, below the industry average, and offers a 1.60% dividend yield, outpacing Evercore’s 1.03%. Analysts project 6.3% and 6.5% revenue growth for 2025 and 2026, respectively, with earnings estimates rising on improved macroeconomic conditions.

Goldman’s stock has underperformed its strategic peers in recent months, but its diversified model and focus on high-margin AWM provide resilience. While insider selling trends remain a point of caution, the firm’s financial performance and strategic pivot suggest long-term stability.

Backtest results indicate that GS’s strategic reallocation to AWM and AI integration has historically outperformed during market volatility, with a 56% surge in net interest income and a rising backlog of M&A opportunities supporting future revenue growth.