Lower rates should spur their dividends

Article Excerpt

The U.S. Federal Reserve continues to cut its benchmark interest rate as inflation eases. That is letting these two banks cut their loan provisions, which is lifting their earnings. Lower rates should also help spur demand for new loans. That will give them even more room to keep raising their dividends. J.P. MORGAN CHASE & CO. $230 is a buy. The bank (New York symbol JPM; Conservative-Growth Payer Portfolio, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 2.8 billion; Market cap: $644.0 billion; Dividend yield: 2.2%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.jpmorganchase.com) is the largest banking firm in the U.S., with total assets of $4.21 trillion as of September 30, 2024. Morgan last raised your quarterly dividend by 8.7%, to $1.25 a share, from $1.15, in the third quarter of 2024. The new annual rate of $5.00 yields 2.2%. As well, the bank authorized a new $30 billion share repurchase plan. Morgan set aside $3.11 billion in the third quarter of 2024 to cover potential loan losses, up 125.4% from $1.38…