Just how unique is Goldman Sachs?

Breakingviews.com strikes a note that we've hit on recently: Goldman Sachs has separated itself from its peers. While Goldman has remained extremely competitive, a lot of good companies are stumbling as they try to keep up. You can't just automatically start generating predictable, steady gains on principal transactions. You can't just automatically start hedging better. Still, you have to wonder how long can all of this last? Clearly, it is innovative. And it is benefiting from the fear in counterparty-land that has bolstered its prime broker business. But Goldman Sachs still faces the industry's big question: What's next? As it takes on less leverage and risk, it needs to find a way to get back to growth. No one sees how yet.  

For more:
- here's the article

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