Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) has asked for--and apparently received--an extension on the deadline by which it is supposed to respond to the SEC's fraud charges, reports Bloomberg.

Monday was the original deadline, and many people thought that we would have some sort of settlement by then. But the firm was able to push the deadline back to July 19, which effectively gives it more time to negotiate a settlement and prepare a defense. I am sure it is working on both tracks.

This is a sign that settlement talks are going decently. The SEC (SEC news) agreed to the extension, suggesting that there's enough on the table to make it think a deal may be possible. I am sure the SEC is also moving down two tracks, working on a settlement and preparing for a trial.

For more:
- here's the Bloomberg article

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