JPMorgan Chase (JPM) came out swinging with a Q1 EPS of $5.07, beating estimates by $0.44. Revenue climbed to $45.3 billion, up 8% year over year. Dimon flexed with $7 billion in stock buybacks and a 12% dividend hike. But he also kept it real, noting economic "turbulence" and a geopolitical cocktail that no trader really asked for. Guidance? Expect $94 billion in net interest income, depending on how crazy the market wants to get.
Wells Fargo (WFC) also brought home a solid beat: EPS of $1.39 vs $1.23 expected, though revenue slipped 3.4% to $20.15 billion. CEO Charlie Scharf warned of slower growth and market uncertainty, but said he was onboard with tariffs—pending, of course, a good outcome. We’ll be here waiting, Charlie.
BlackRock (BLK) is managing a jaw-dropping $11.6 trillion in AUM, even as net income dipped 4% thanks to acquisition costs. Adjusted EPS landed at $11.30, smashing expectations. Larry Fink's letter said it best: clients are anxious, volatility is real, and BlackRock is ready—just like they were for COVID and the 2008 crisis.
Morgan Stanley (MS) is expected to report shortly, with analysts eyeing $2.21 EPS, up from $2.02 last year. If pre-market optimism means anything, the street's got faith.
Keep an eye on these players. Their balance sheets—and what their CEOs say between the lines—often hint where the rest of the market is headed. Especially when the VIX is dancing like it's had three Red Bulls.
