US investment bank Goldman Sachs reported that net earnings for the fourth quarter surged to $1.87 billion or $5.48 per share from $1.19 billion or $3.32 per share in the previous year. On average, 17 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report earnings of $3.20 per share for the quarter. Analysts’ estimates typically exclude special items. Provision for credit losses for the quarter was $577 million, compared to $972 million last year, Goldman said on Tuesday. Total net revenues for the quarter grew 7% to $11.32 billion from $10.59 billion in the same quarter last year. …