Money

Goldman Sachs’ return-to-office order “means more layoffs”

Published

2 years ago

August 25, 2023

Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon’s recent directive for employees to return to the office five days a week has sparked speculation and concerns about potential layoffs within the company.

Before the official announcement of the “gentle reminder” about the five-day office requirement earlier this week, some Goldman bankers were already planning to increase their in-office presence following Labor Day. This proactive move, according to sources, is driven by renewed fears of impending layoffs.

Goldman Sachs had recently carried out a significant round of layoffs in June, resulting in the termination of 250 employees, including 125 managing directors. In January of the same year, Solomon initiated a substantial reduction in workforce, cutting 3,200 jobs, marking the largest reduction since the 2008 financial crisis. This event was ominously referred to as “David’s Demolition Day” by employees.

While Goldman Sachs has not officially announced any further layoffs for the year, recent reports of job cuts at Charles Schwab have triggered concerns that the trend could spread to other financial institutions.

Employees, anticipating potential layoffs, are now expected to return to the office in larger numbers. This anticipated increase in in-office attendance is driven by a sense of job security uncertainty.

Year-end bonuses

However, should layoffs not materialise, another concern looms in the form of potentially disappointing year-end bonuses. This apprehension is connected to a decline in dealmaking activity, particularly in the realm of initial public offerings (IPOs).

Despite the market’s overall optimism, IPO activity has not picked up significantly following Cava’s successful IPO. The hope had been that Cava’s success would encourage other companies to follow suit, potentially sparking a new bull market.

While some bankers are eagerly awaiting the progress of deals, others view the current summer lull as expected and argue that it is premature to draw any definitive conclusions.

Kristi Marvin, founder and CEO of SPACinsider, has noted that the most promising companies for IPOs might not be the first to go public. Additionally, she pointed out that company valuations have suffered since 2021.

The prevailing hope is that the market will regain stability, and volatility will decrease in the coming months, particularly by September, which many believe will be a better indicator of increased activity.

Meanwhile, some employees who have been working in the office five or even six days a week throughout the summer have expressed confusion and frustration over the disparity in leniency granted to their colleagues.

Money

U.S. and China approve TikTok sale to American investors

US and China approve TikTok’s sale to Oracle and Silver Lake amid regulatory scrutiny, with ByteDance retaining 20%.

Published

1 day ago

January 23, 2026

Harvey Vargas

US and China approve TikTok’s sale to Oracle and Silver Lake amid regulatory scrutiny, with ByteDance retaining 20%.

The United States and China have officially approved a deal for TikTok’s US operations to be sold to American investors, led by Oracle and Silver Lake.

This marks a major shift in the social media landscape as the platform navigates increasing regulatory scrutiny.

Under the new agreement, ByteDance will retain just under 20% of TikTok US, while Oracle and Silver Lake will each take 15% stakes. Other investors will also participate, forming a structure designed to satisfy both commercial and regulatory demands.

The new US-based entity will have a majority American board tasked with overseeing data protection and content moderation. Despite these safeguards, concerns remain about ByteDance’s influence and whether the deal fully complies with recent legislation.

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#TikTokSale #USChinaDeal #Oracle #SilverLake #ByteDance #TechNews #SocialMedia #DataProtection

Money

Markets tumble as Trump tariffs, Greenland rhetoric and Europe backlash collide

U.S. stocks plummet over 800 points amid renewed tariff threats and political tensions from Trump, sparking global trade concerns.

Published

3 days ago

January 21, 2026

Harvey Vargas

U.S. stocks plummet over 800 points amid renewed tariff threats and political tensions from Trump, sparking global trade concerns.

U.S. equities took a sharp hit as markets reacted to renewed tariff threats and heightened political rhetoric from President Donald Trump. The Dow plunged more than 800 points, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq also sliding as investor nerves rattled risk assets.

The sell-off highlights growing concern around global trade tensions and geopolitical uncertainty, with markets struggling to price in what comes next for U.S. economic leadership and policy direction.

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#USMarkets #WallStreet #TrumpTariffs #GlobalMarkets #USDebt #Europe #Davos #Ticker

Money

Gold hits record highs as investors flee risk

Gold surges amid global uncertainty, with February futures rising 1.71% to $4,674.20 per ounce, signaling safe-haven demand.

Published

4 days ago

January 20, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Gold surges amid global uncertainty, with February futures rising 1.71% to $4,674.20 per ounce, signaling safe-haven demand.

Gold is shining brighter than ever as investors flock to safe-haven assets amid global uncertainty. U.S. gold futures for February delivery jumped 1.71% to $4,674.20 per ounce, while spot gold rose 1.6% to $4,668.14.

The surge comes as geopolitical tensions continue to worry traders, prompting a rush into metals perceived as stable and secure. Analysts say gold is proving its status as the ultimate hedge during turbulent times.

Investors are closely watching markets as gold sets new benchmarks, signalling growing caution across the financial landscape.

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#GoldRally #SafeHaven #InvestingTips #FinancialMarkets #GoldPrices #GlobalEconomy #MarketUpdate #TickerNews