????轉化經濟危機為生財良機，這種事我們或許可以指望高盛集團（Goldman Sachs）。

????過去數月里，美國各大銀行都在爭先恐后地向投資者證明，歐債危機并不會對其造成負面影響。然而，周四早晨，高盛集團總裁蓋瑞?寇恩對一群投資者表示，他不僅不擔心，相反還樂觀地認為，歐洲潛在的經濟危機將會為高盛帶來盈利良機。

????寇恩稱，即使目前的歐洲經濟危機雪上加霜，高盛交易部門依然能夠盈利。他說，隨著歐洲的競爭對手實力削弱，高盛已逐漸將其客戶爭取到自己手中。寇恩還說，鑒于歐洲銀行為解套財務危機可能被迫出售至少一萬億美元資產，高盛很可能由此獲益。寇恩說：“我們的交易部門在任何環境中都能夠盈利。我們有獨特的定位，可以介入這些（歐洲銀行的）資產銷售，并將這些投資機會提供給我們的客戶。”

????如果高盛真的從歐元消亡中獲利，那么批評人士就更有話可說了。自經濟危機發生以來高盛獲取了巨額交易收益，高盛也因此被冠以新綽號“吸血烏賊”。高盛曾向希臘出售金融衍生品，后者得以借此掩飾自身的財政危機，高盛也因此在歐洲飽受詬病。

????高盛是否看空歐元前景，目前尚不明朗，但看得出公司正在為歐元崩潰做準備。寇恩表示，高盛花了很多時間，詳細核查交易合同，以確定一旦歐元消失，他們的貿易伙伴是否有能力使用其他幣種完成支付。寇恩說：“目前，我們正在調查客戶能否用德拉克馬或里拉支付。這是一個大問題。”

????根據高盛集團最近公布的財務報表，今年一季度高盛減持了希臘、愛爾蘭、葡萄牙和西班牙政府債券，大幅增持意大利國債。一季度末，高盛持有25億美元意大利政府國債，而在2011年底僅有2.1億美元。

????寇恩稱：“我們已經大幅減持所有歐洲周邊產品。未來，我們還將繼續減持。”

????譯者：李玫曉/汪皓

????Leave it to Goldman Sachs (GS) to turn an economic calamity into a money making opportunity.

????For the past few months, the U.S.'s largest banks have been scrambling to prove to investors that Europe's debt crisis won't damage them. On Thursday morning, Goldman president Gary Cohn told a group of investors that not only is he not worried, but he thinks the potential financial crisis in Europe could be a boost to his bank's bottom line.

????Cohn said he was optimistic that his firm's trading desk could turn a profit if Europe's woes turn worse. He said Goldman is already starting to pick up clients from its now weaker European rivals. What's more, Cohn says Goldman could benefit from the fact that Europe's banks may be forced to sell off at least a trillion in assets due to their financial distress. "Our trading desk can make money in any environment," said Cohn. "We are uniquely positioned to intermediate these [the European bank's] asset sales and distribute these investment opportunities to our clients."

????If Goldman does turn a profit from the Euro's demise, it could add new fodder for the firm's critics. Goldman gained the nickname Vampire Squid, in part, because it generated huge trading gains in the wake of the financial crisis. The firm has already come under attack in Europe for selling derivatives to Greece that may have helped the country mask its financial problems.

????While it's not clear Goldman is betting against the Euro, the firm does appear to be preparing for its break-up. Cohn said Goldman has spent a lot of time going over its trading contracts to determine in part what if they trading partners have the ability to pay in different currencies if the Euro dissappears. "We have been working to find out if we could be paid in drachma or lira," says Cohn. "It's a big issue."

????According to Goldman's most recent financial statements, in the first three months of the year the bank cut back its exposure to the governments of Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Spain. Goldman however significantly increased its holdings of Italian debt. As of the end of the first quarter, Goldman owned $2.5 billion in debt backed by the government of Italy. That's up from just $210 million at the end of 2011.

????"We have dramatically reduced our exposure to all Europe peripherals," said Cohn. "We will continue to reduce that exposure."