Top banks will gain from rate cuts

Article Excerpt

As inflation eases in the wake of COVID-19 lockdowns and supply chain disruptions, the U.S. Federal Reserve recently cut its benchmark interest rate by 0.50%, to between 4.75% and 5.00%. It also looks likely that the Fed will continue to cut the rate in the next few months. While lower rates will hurt the interest income these two banks receive, the cuts will also make it easier for borrowers to renew mortgages and other loans. That should let these lenders set aside fewer funds for potential loan losses and so lift their earnings. J.P. MORGAN CHASE & CO. $223 is a buy. This industry giant (New York symbol JPM; Income Portfolio, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 2.8 billion; Market cap: $624.4 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 3.8; Dividend yield: 2.2%; TSINetwork 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. Despite pandemic disruptions, Morgan’s revenue jumped 36.6%, from $115.72 billion in 2019 to $158.10 billion…