JPMorgan Chase profit falls after $2.9 billion fee from regional bank rescues

US Markets
Friday, January 12th, 2024 5:14 pm EDT

Key Points

  • Fourth-Quarter Financial Performance: JPMorgan Chase reported a decline in fourth-quarter profits, primarily attributed to a $2.9 billion fee related to government seizures of failed regional banks in the previous year. Key financial metrics included earnings per share at $3.04, falling short of the expected $3.32, and revenue reaching $39.94 billion, slightly exceeding analysts’ projections of $39.78 billion. The bank disclosed a 15% slip in quarterly earnings to $9.31 billion, or $3.04 per share, from the previous year. However, excluding the fee tied to the regional banking crisis and $743 million in investment losses, earnings would have been $3.97 per share.
  • Record Full-Year Results and Strategic Moves: Despite the quarterly challenges, JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon highlighted the bank’s record-breaking full-year results. The bank outperformed expectations on net interest income and credit quality, generating nearly $50 billion in profit in 2023. A significant portion of this profit, $4.1 billion, was attributed to the acquisition of First Republic. Drawing parallels to the 2008 financial crisis, JPMorgan emerged larger and more profitable following last year’s regional banking chaos.
  • Cautionary Outlook and Industry Challenges: Despite the positive financial performance, Dimon struck a cautious note on the American economy, expressing concerns about potential challenges. He mentioned the resilience of the U.S. economy, consumer spending, and the expectation of a soft landing in markets. However, Dimon highlighted risks related to deficit spending, supply chain adjustments, inflationary pressures, and geopolitical tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East. The article also noted challenges faced by the banking industry, including squeezed profits for smaller peers, increased costs for deposits, devaluation of bonds resulting in unrealized losses, and mounting concerns about rising losses from commercial loans and credit card defaults. Analysts are keen to hear Dimon’s insights on net interest income, loan losses, and the industry’s strategies to manage potential increases in capital requirements.

In its recent report, JPMorgan Chase disclosed a decline in fourth-quarter profits, attributing the dip to a $2.9 billion fee related to the government’s seizures of failed regional banks in the previous year. The bank revealed earnings per share of $3.04, falling short of the expected $3.32, while revenue stood at $39.94 billion, slightly surpassing analysts’ projections of $39.78 billion. The quarterly earnings experienced a 15% decline to $9.31 billion or $3.04 per share from the previous year. Excluding the fee associated with the regional banking crisis and $743 million in investment losses, earnings would have been $3.97 per share, according to JPMorgan. Despite these challenges, revenue saw a 12% increase, reaching $39.94 billion, exceeding analysts’ expectations.

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon highlighted the bank’s record-breaking full-year results, emphasizing its outperformance in net interest income and credit quality. The bank reported generating nearly $50 billion in profit in 2023, with $4.1 billion attributed to the acquisition of First Republic during the regional banking chaos. Similar to its resilience during the 2008 financial crisis, JPMorgan emerged larger and more profitable from the recent regional banking upheaval. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation imposed a special assessment on large U.S. banks, including JPMorgan, to replenish losses from a fund aiding uninsured depositors of seized regional banks.

During premarket trading, JPMorgan’s shares rose by 1.9%, reflecting confidence in the bank’s ability to navigate challenges and maintain profitability. However, despite the positive performance, Dimon expressed caution about the American economy. He acknowledged the economy’s resilience with ongoing consumer spending, but concerns lingered about deficit spending, supply chain adjustments, and the potential for inflation to be more persistent than market expectations. Risks included central banks’ measures to reduce support programs and geopolitical tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Dimon noted the bank’s adept handling of the rate environment since the Federal Reserve began raising rates in early 2022. In contrast, smaller peers faced profit squeezes due to increased costs for deposits as customers shifted funds to higher-yielding instruments. Rising yields led to the devaluation of bonds owned by banks, resulting in unrealized losses that exerted pressure on capital levels. The industry faced additional challenges, such as escalating losses from commercial loans, particularly in office building debt, and higher credit card defaults.

Analysts are keen to hear Dimon’s insights on net interest income, loan losses for the upcoming year, and the banking sector’s strategies to manage potential increases in capital requirements. The report highlighted the recovery of beaten-down bank shares in November, driven by expectations that the Federal Reserve effectively handled inflation and could potentially reduce rates in the following year. In 2023, JPMorgan’s shares surged by 27%, outperforming its big bank peers and surpassing the 5% decline of the KBW Bank Index.

For the full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/12/jpmorgan-chase-jpm-earnings-q4-2023.html