Money

Goldman Sachs forces full return to work, ends “Summer Fridays”

Published

2 years ago

August 23, 2023

ticker NEWS

In a bid to restore the traditional office routine, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon has decided to terminate the company’s ‘Summer Fridays’ policy, which had allowed employees greater flexibility.

The move is part of the bank’s efforts to bring staff back to the office for a full five-day workweek.

Human resources chief Jacqueline Arthur issued a statement to The Post, stating, “While there is flexibility when needed, we are simply reminding our employees of our existing policy. We have continued to encourage employees to work in the office five days a week.”

This renewed emphasis on in-office work comes as Goldman Sachs’ Wall Street headquarters reportedly appeared “totally dead” on Fridays. This phenomenon occurred after interns had completed their terms, and a significant number of employees opted to work remotely to extend their weekends, as sources have disclosed to The Post.

Solomon, who has faced criticism amid a dip in the bank’s profits this year, has been resolute in his commitment to re-establishing the in-office work culture. However, the timing of the reinforcement of this policy just before Labor Day has raised eyebrows among many of the bank’s employees.

Employee anger

One employee commented, “I think David’s really missing (another) trick if he thinks sending out that five-day note at this point will gain friends.” They asserted that they have no intention of following the new policy.

Additional sources expressed their frustration, questioning the bank’s focus on strict attendance when morale within the organization is reportedly at a low point. They also pointed out that despite Goldman’s comparatively high attendance rates in contrast to other banks like Citi and JPMorgan, it has not translated into a clear benefit for the company.

Goldman Sachs is currently facing multiple challenges, including a 58% drop in earnings in the most recent quarter, investigations into its handling of advising Silicon Valley Bank before its collapse, a significant write-down of its Greensky acquisition, and contemplation of selling its investment advisory unit.

Despite management’s push, many employees are expected to return to the office voluntarily after Labor Day, rendering the heavy-handed approach potentially unnecessary.

Money

U.S. jobs report, Fed decisions, and Japan’s economic risks explained

January US jobs report sparks uncertainty; analysts debate impact on Federal Reserve policy and market confidence.

Published

20 hours ago

February 12, 2026

Harvey Vargas

January US jobs report sparks uncertainty; analysts debate impact on Federal Reserve policy and market confidence.

The January US jobs report shows a mixed picture for the economy, with payroll revisions and steady unemployment leaving analysts questioning the impact on Federal Reserve policy. We break down what the numbers mean for interest rates and market confidence.

US stock markets could face turbulence as investors digest the latest jobs data. David Scutt from StoneX explains how these figures may influence equities and what the outlook is for global markets.

Meanwhile, developments in Japan and a strengthening yen could spark new macroeconomic risks. From carry trades to unexpected shocks, we explore how these factors ripple across the global economy.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

#USJobsReport #FederalReserve #StockMarket #MacroRisks #JapanEconomy #GlobalMarkets #CurrencyTrading #EconomicUpdate

Money

Alphabet launches $20B bond to fund AI expansion

Alphabet’s $20B bond offering highlights investor confidence in AI growth, enabling funding without shareholder dilution.

Published

2 days ago

February 11, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Alphabet’s $20B bond offering highlights investor confidence in AI growth, enabling funding without shareholder dilution.

Alphabet has launched a record $20 billion bond offering to finance its massive AI infrastructure build-out, signalling strong investor confidence in the company’s growth strategy. The oversubscribed sale shows that investors are betting on Alphabet’s AI potential and long-term returns.

By using debt instead of equity, Alphabet can raise funds without diluting shareholders. The money will support AI research, advanced computing, and other strategic projects, cementing the company’s leadership in the sector.

Brad Gastwirth from Circular Technologies explains how corporate debt is reshaping tech financing and how investors perceive AI-linked bonds. This record issuance could set a trend for other tech companies looking to fund innovation.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

Money

AI tax tool sparks market turmoil for financial firms

Major financial firms’ stocks fell sharply after an AI tax tool launch, raising investor fears of disruption in advisory services.

Published

2 days ago

February 11, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Major financial firms’ stocks fell sharply after an AI tax tool launch, raising investor fears of disruption in advisory services.

Shares of major financial services firms tumbled after the launch of a new AI-powered tax planning tool. LPL Financial dropped nearly 11%, while Charles Schwab and Raymond James Financial fell more than 9%, signalling investor concern over AI disrupting traditional advisory services.

Morgan Stanley also saw a 4% decline as fears grow that AI could replace some of the most profitable offerings of established firms. Earlier this year, the introduction of other AI models already caused turbulence in software stocks, suggesting this could be a broader trend affecting multiple sectors.

The iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers and Securities ETF was down 4% on Tuesday, reflecting the market-wide uncertainty surrounding AI adoption in finance. Investors are closely watching whether AI will complement or cannibalise the industry’s core services.

#AIImpact #WallStreet #FinancialMarkets #InvestingNews #MorganStanley #CharlesSchwab #RaymondJames #FinTech