Zacks Earnings Trends Highlights: JPMorgan, Bank of America, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – July 17, 2025– Zacks Director of Research Sheraz Mian says, "The banks already reported not only produced better-than-expected Q2 results, but managements' commentary on business trends and conditions paints a favorable and reassuring view of the coming quarters."Q2 Earnings Season Kicks Off Positively: A Closer LookNote: The following is an excerpt from this week's Earnings Trends report. You can access the full report that contains detailed historical actual and estimates for the current and following periods, please click here>>>Here are the key points:The big banks and brokers have given us a positive start to the Q2 earnings season. These banks have not only reported better-than-expected Q2 results, but managements' commentary on business trends and conditions paints a favorable and reassuring view of the coming quarters.For the 38 S&P 500 companies that have already reported Q2 results, total earnings are up +8.3% from the same period last year on +4.8% higher revenues, with 84.2% beating EPS estimates and 81.6% beating revenue estimates.It is relatively early in the Q2 reporting cycle, but the proportion of these 38 index members beating EPS and revenue estimates is tracking notably above the 20-quarter average for this group of companies.For the Finance sector, we now have Q2 results from 35.6% of the sector's market capitalization in the S&P 500 index. Total earnings for these Finance companies are up +13.2% from the same period last year on +3.4% higher revenues, with all the companies beating EPS estimates and 84.6% beating revenue estimates.Reassuring Bank ResultsStocks of the big Wall Street firms have been stellar market performers lately. This had increased the odds in our eyes that the companies' June-quarter results may prove to be sell-the-news type of developments, particularly since these banks weren't expected to show much strength in their numbers.Considering the year-to-date performance of JPMorgan (JPM), Bank of America BAC, Citigroup C, Wells Fargo WFC, Goldman Sachs GS and Morgan Stanley MS. Each of these Wall Street firms has outperformed the market this year, except for Bank of America, which has modestly lagged behind the market.It is reassuring to see that the actual results from Q2 have largely been very strong and better than expected. Importantly, management commentaries on business trends, the coming quarters, and the overall health of the economy have been broadly positive.We should note, however, that results at Bank of America and Wells Fargo were mixed at best, with both coming up short of net interest income and the latter also guiding lower on that front. Net interest income, which is the money banks earn from their lending operations, decreased by -2.6% at Wells Fargo and increased by +7% at Bank of America.Net interest income was up +2% at JPMorgan and an impressive +12% at the seemingly resurgent Citigroup. The favorable performance of Citigroup shares in the above chart not only anticipated the bank's strong results but also reflected the market's confidence in the new management team's strategy.Citigroup also had impressive results in the trading and investment banking businesses. Trading revenues were up +16% at Citigroup, while JPMorgan, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley reported gains of +15%, +15%, +22%, and +18%, respectively. Goldman Sachs' equity trading volumes were a new all-time quarterly record.While the trading business benefited from the elevated tariffs-centric market volatility, the resulting business uncertainty chilled investment banking activities, particularly in the immediate aftermath of the tariff announcements at the start of Q2. However, as JPMorgan noted on its earnings call, the pace of activity notably picked up later in the quarter, resulting in all of these companies exiting the quarter in a much better position.Investment banking revenues increased +15% at Citigroup, while the same at Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan increased +26% and +7% from the year-earlier level, respectively. Please note that JPMorgan's +7% increase in investment banking revenues compares to management's earlier guidance of a mid-teens decline. Investment banking revenues were down at Morgan Stanley and Bank of America.For the Zacks Investment Brokers & Managers industry at the mezzanine level, which includes all of these Wall Street firms, total Q2 earnings are now expected to be up +10.5%, which compares to the -2.8% decline that was expected before these results came out.Q2 earnings growth for the Zacks Finance sector is now expected to be +14.3% on +4.8% revenue growth. With about two-thirds of the sector's market capitalization still to report Q2 results, the Q2 earnings growth pace should go up further in the days ahead.Importantly, the positive and reassuring management commentary from these Wall Street firms should help push estimates higher for Q3 and beyond.Expectations for 2025 Q2 & BeyondThe strong bank results have helped push the Q2 earnings growth expectation higher, with earnings for the S&P 500 index now expected to increase by +5.7% from the same period last year on +4.2% higher revenues.The market's rebound from the post-tariffs April lows has been very impressive, likely suggesting that market participants don't see the tariff uncertainty as presenting a significant threat. This view is also confirmed by commentary from management teams during their earnings calls.We find ourselves a bit skeptical of this sanguine view. Whatever the final level of tariffs turns out to be, it will have an impact on the earnings picture.Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners UpFollow us on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/zacksresearchJoin us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch/Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.Media ContactZacks Investment Research800-767-3771 ext. 9339support@zacks.comhttps://www.zacks.comZacks.com provides investment resources and informs you of these resources, which you may choose to use in making your own investment decisions. Zacks is providing information on this resource to you subject to the Zacks "Terms and Conditions of Service" disclaimer. www.zacks.com/disclaimer.Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss.This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.Zacks' Research Chief Picks Stock Most Likely to "At Least Double"Our experts have revealed their Top 5 recommendations with money-doubling potential – and Director of Research Sheraz Mian believes one is superior to the others. Of course, all our picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier recommendations like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%.See Our Top Stock to Double (Plus 4 Runners Up) >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS): Free Stock Analysis Report Bank of America Corporation (BAC): Free Stock Analysis Report Wells Fargo & Company (WFC): Free Stock Analysis Report JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM): Free Stock Analysis Report Morgan Stanley (MS): Free Stock Analysis Report Citigroup Inc. (C): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks