the goldman sachs group , inc .
and subsidiaries management 2019s discussion and analysis other principal transactions revenues in the consolidated statements of earnings were $ 3.20 billion for 2016 , 36% ( 36 % ) lower than 2015 , primarily due to significantly lower revenues from investments in equities , primarily reflecting a significant decrease in net gains from private equities , driven by company-specific events and corporate performance .
in addition , revenues in debt securities and loans were significantly lower compared with 2015 , reflecting significantly lower revenues related to relationship lending activities , due to the impact of changes in credit spreads on economic hedges .
losses related to these hedges were $ 596 million in 2016 , compared with gains of $ 329 million in 2015 .
this decrease was partially offset by higher net gains from investments in debt instruments .
see note 9 to the consolidated financial statements for further information about economic hedges related to our relationship lending activities .
net interest income .
net interest income in the consolidated statements of earnings was $ 2.59 billion for 2016 , 16% ( 16 % ) lower than 2015 , reflecting an increase in interest expense primarily due to the impact of higher interest rates on other interest-bearing liabilities , interest- bearing deposits and collateralized financings , and increases in total average long-term borrowings and total average interest-bearing deposits .
the increase in interest expense was partially offset by higher interest income related to collateralized agreements , reflecting the impact of higher interest rates , and loans receivable , reflecting an increase in total average balances and the impact of higher interest rates .
see 201cstatistical disclosures 2014 distribution of assets , liabilities and shareholders 2019 equity 201d for further information about our sources of net interest income .
operating expenses our operating expenses are primarily influenced by compensation , headcount and levels of business activity .
compensation and benefits includes salaries , discretionary compensation , amortization of equity awards and other items such as benefits .
discretionary compensation is significantly impacted by , among other factors , the level of net revenues , overall financial performance , prevailing labor markets , business mix , the structure of our share- based compensation programs and the external environment .
in addition , see 201cuse of estimates 201d for further information about expenses that may arise from litigation and regulatory proceedings .
in the context of the challenging environment , we completed an initiative during 2016 that identified areas where we can operate more efficiently , resulting in a reduction of approximately $ 900 million in annual run rate compensation .
for 2016 , net savings from this initiative , after severance and other related costs , were approximately $ 500 million .
the table below presents our operating expenses and total staff ( including employees , consultants and temporary staff ) . .

Year Ended December
<i>$ in millions</i>
2017
2016
2015
Compensation and benefits
$11,853
$11,647
$12,678
Brokerage, clearing, exchangeand distribution fees
2,540
2,555
2,576
Market development
588
457
557
Communications and technology
897
809
806
Depreciation and amortization
1,152
998
991
Occupancy
733
788
772
Professional fees
965
882
963
Other expenses
2,213
2,168
5,699
Totalnon-compensationexpenses
9,088
8,657
12,364
Total operating expenses
$20,941
$20,304
$25,042
Total staff atperiod-end
36,600
34,400
36,800

in the table above , other expenses for 2015 included $ 3.37 billion recorded for the settlement agreement with the rmbs working group .
see note 27 to the consolidated financial statements in part ii , item 8 of our annual report on form 10-k for the year ended december 31 , 2015 for further information .
2017 versus 2016 .
operating expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings were $ 20.94 billion for 2017 , 3% ( 3 % ) higher than 2016 .
compensation and benefits expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings were $ 11.85 billion for 2017 , 2% ( 2 % ) higher than 2016 .
the ratio of compensation and benefits to net revenues for 2017 was 37.0% ( 37.0 % ) compared with 38.1% ( 38.1 % ) for 2016 .
non-compensation expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings were $ 9.09 billion for 2017 , 5% ( 5 % ) higher than 2016 , primarily driven by our investments to fund growth .
the increase compared with 2016 reflected higher expenses related to consolidated investments and our digital lending and deposit platform , marcus : by goldman sachs ( marcus ) .
these increases were primarily included in depreciation and amortization expenses , market development expenses and other expenses .
in addition , technology expenses increased , reflecting higher expenses related to cloud-based services and software depreciation , and professional fees increased , primarily related to consulting costs .
these increases were partially offset by lower net provisions for litigation and regulatory proceedings , and lower occupancy expenses ( primarily related to exit costs in 2016 ) .
net provisions for litigation and regulatory proceedings for 2017 were $ 188 million compared with $ 396 million for 2016 .
2017 included a $ 127 million charitable contribution to goldman sachs gives , our donor-advised fund .
compensation was reduced to fund this charitable contribution to goldman sachs gives .
we ask our participating managing directors to make recommendations regarding potential charitable recipients for this contribution .
54 goldman sachs 2017 form 10-k .

Question: Analyse this data from a financial earnings document. what portion of total operating expenses is related to compensation and benefits in 2017?
Choices:
2.07984
566018.81477
0.32209
0.56602
1.76673
Correct choice index: 3