Goldman Stock Traders Head to Record Year, Fuel 45% Profit Surge

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. profit soared 45% in the third quarter on a surprise increase in equity-trading revenue and a resurgent investment-banking business.

The firm’s stock traders recorded their best quarter in more than three years, on track for their best year ever, while dealmakers pocketed fees that exceeded estimates across every key business line. The investment bank’s gains were tempered by a slide the firm had previously telegraphed in fixed-income trading.