Goldman Sachs partners have reduced their collective stake in the company to about 10% from 11.2%, according to regulatory filings.  In recent months, they've sold some $108 million worth of shares - a small, yet significant, dilution of the influence that partners have over the firm.  Part of the power comes from the fact that partners own the stake collectively, and they've agreed to act in unison on shareholder votes. 

For the 2 months ended late January, Goldman’s 483 partners sold 655,120 shares, at an average share sale price of $162.  In the prior 2-month period, partners sold shares valued at $75.5mn. 

Topping this most recent period were Gregg Felton (senior executive in asset management) and Philippe Altuzarra (banker) who sold shares valued at $8mn and $6mn, respectively.  At the same time, slightly more partner-owned shares have been pledged as collateral for personal loans in recent months: 561,070, up from 546,500.

The above data emerged from recent Goldman regulatory filings, and was analyzed by The NYTimes and Morningstar's Footnoted.com (a division that scrutinizes corporate disclosures).

Goldman declined to comment on the filings.    For further details, go to:   [NYT Dealbook, 3/28, Goldman Partners .."]