This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-38613025

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
US banks JP Morgan and Bank of America boost profits Trump trading surge helps JP Morgan profits
(about 1 hour later)
JP Morgan has reported a rise in fourth-quarter profits on a busy day for US bank results. A jump in financial trading after Donald Trump's election win helped to lift JP Morgan's fourth-quarter profit.
America's biggest bank by assets said profit rose 24% to $6.73bn in the period, helped by more investor activity around the US election. The US bank's corporate and investment banking unit almost doubled its revenue in the three months to 31 December.
Bank of America, the country's second biggest bank, said income rose nearly 50%, but Wells Fargo reported its fifth straight decline in quarterly profit. Mr Trump's victory set off a wave of activity in what is normally a slow period for trading desks at big banks.
US banks are expected to benefit from last month's rise in interest rates. Shares in JP Morgan rose 2.2% early on Friday, while shares in Bank of America - which also reported a rise in quarterly profits - were up 1.9%.
US bank shares have soared in recent weeks on hopes that Mr Trump will loosen banking regulations and spur further interest rate rises.
JP Morgan reported a 24% growth in profit to $6.73bn for the three months to 31 December.
"We grew market share in virtually all of our businesses and showed expense discipline while continuing to invest for the future," said JP Morgan chief executive Jamie Dimon.
Mr Dimon, who had been a potential nominee for Treasury Secretary under President-elect Donald Trump, also said the US economy "may be building momentum".
"Looking ahead there is opportunity for good, rational and thoughtful policy decisions to be implemented, which would spur growth, create jobs for Americans across the income spectrum and help communities, and we are well positioned to play our part," he said.
On a busy day for US bank results, Bank of America posted a 43% rise in net income to $4.7bn, but Wells Fargo reported its fifth straight decline in quarterly profit.
It is the first set of US bank results since last month's rise in interest rates.
Bank of America's chief financial officer, Paul Donofrio, said: "While the recent rise in interest rates came too late to impact fourth quarter results, we expect to see a significant increase in net interest income in the first quarter of 2017."Bank of America's chief financial officer, Paul Donofrio, said: "While the recent rise in interest rates came too late to impact fourth quarter results, we expect to see a significant increase in net interest income in the first quarter of 2017."
The US Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate to a range of 0.5% to 0.75% on 14 December from the previous range of 0.25% to 0.5%, only the second increase in a decade.The US Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate to a range of 0.5% to 0.75% on 14 December from the previous range of 0.25% to 0.5%, only the second increase in a decade.
A rate rise usually helps banks because it allows them to charge more for loans.A rate rise usually helps banks because it allows them to charge more for loans.
Bank of America, which is considered the most sensitive US bank to rate changes, cited cost cuts and improved trading for its profit rise in the fourth quarter.Bank of America, which is considered the most sensitive US bank to rate changes, cited cost cuts and improved trading for its profit rise in the fourth quarter.
Meanwhile, JP Morgan said its consumer and investment banking divisions grew in the three months to 31 December.
"We grew market share in virtually all of our businesses and showed expense discipline while continuing to invest for the future," said JP Morgan chief executive Jamie Dimon.
Mr Dimon, who had been a potential nominee for Treasury Secretary under President-elect Donald Trump, also said the US economy "may be building momentum".
"Looking ahead there is opportunity for good, rational and thoughtful policy decisions to be implemented, which would spur growth, create jobs for Americans across the income spectrum and help communities, and we are well positioned to play our part," he said.