Despite registering a solid year-over-year increase in the fourth quarter, JP Morgan’s profit fell short of analysts’ expectations.
The bank's earnings per share of $1.98 was below the $2.20 per share average estimate of analysts surveyed by Refinitiv. This is the first time in 15 years that JP Morgan profit missed quarterly estimates - and the bank’s trading desks are apparently to blame. Producing $1.86 billion in revenue, the fixed-income trading segment fell short of the $2.2 billion estimate.
The company's total revenue increased +4 percent to $26.8 billion, but was slightly below analysts' $26.84 billion estimate.
Nevertheless, the bank raked in $7.1 billion in total profit – which is nearly +70% higher compared to the year ago period. It is also a fourth quarter record. The firm also experienced a +9% increase to $14.5 billion in net interest income on loan growth and rising interest rates. Its net interest margin of 2.54 percent was 3 basis points higher from the previous quarter, and matched analysts' expectations.