[ by Howard Haykin ] In a cost-cutting move, Goldman Sachs is moving on a reduction of between 20 and 30 sales and trading staff positions - mostly in New York.  A source with knowledge of the matter told Traders Magazine said the cuts could include equity sales traders and traders, but declined to provide more information as people are still be notified of the cuts. Through the first half of 2012, Goldman reported that fixed income, currency and commodities trading revenue had fallen 5%, to $5.6 billion.  Equity trading revenue slipped 3%, to $1.5 billion.  The drop in equity revenue was due to a slowdown in trading volumes and subsequent drop in commissions. Goldman Sachs said in a recent conference call that it's shooting for half a billion dollars in cost and expense cuts.  Part of that saving would come from reduced staff compensation.  "We're controlling the levers that we can, which are expenses and capital," David Viniar, chief financial officer said on the call.   [Traders Magazine, 8/15/12]