The moment Wall Street has been waiting for is here: fourth-quarter earnings season officially kicks off this week, and it's shaping up to be a fascinating one. The spotlight falls squarely on America's banking giants, with all eyes on whether they can deliver the kind of results that justify their recent stock rallies.
The Big Six banks are expected to showcase a significant rebound in investment banking fees, and there's good reason for optimism. Global M&A activity surged 42% year-over-year, according to Dealogic, which should translate directly to fatter fee revenues. After a brutal couple of years for dealmaking, bankers are finally seeing green shoots.
Here's your comprehensive guide to the earnings calendar for the week ahead.
Tuesday, January 13
Before Market Open:
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) fires the opening shot of earnings season with its fourth-quarter report scheduled for release before Tuesday's opening bell. As the nation's largest bank, JPMorgan often sets the tone for the entire financial sector, making this one of the most closely watched reports of the quarter.
Investors will be hanging on every word from CEO Jamie Dimon, particularly his assessment of U.S. consumer resilience and his thoughts on global geopolitical risks that could impact markets in 2025. Dimon has earned a reputation for prescient market calls, so his quarterly commentary tends to move markets.
The Street is looking for earnings of $4.95 per share on revenue of $46.2 billion from JPMorgan.
Also reporting Tuesday morning are several other notable companies:
After Market Close:
Richtech Robotics Inc. (RR) and BRC Group Holdings, Inc. (RILY) will report after Tuesday's closing bell.
Wednesday, January 14
Before Market Open:
Bank of America Corp. (BAC) takes center stage Wednesday morning with its fourth-quarter results. Wall Street analysts are projecting earnings of 97 cents per share and quarterly revenue of $27.65 billion. The consumer-focused giant will provide crucial insights into spending patterns and credit quality across American households.
Wells Fargo & Co. (WFC) and Citigroup Inc. (C) will also report before the market opens on Wednesday, giving investors a comprehensive view of how the major money-center banks performed during the final three months of 2024.
After Market Close:
The following companies are scheduled to report after Wednesday's closing bell:
Thursday, January 15
Before Market Open:
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (TSM) is set to release its fourth-quarter results in the early hours of Thursday morning, and this report carries enormous weight for the entire technology sector. As the world's largest and most advanced chipmaker, TSMC's results and guidance provide critical insights into demand for semiconductors across AI, smartphones, automotive, and countless other applications.
Analysts expect the company to report earnings of $2.71 per share on revenue of $32.63 billion. Any commentary about AI chip demand or capacity utilization will be parsed carefully by investors trying to gauge the sustainability of the AI boom.
Thursday morning also features reports from three major financial institutions:
These three should benefit particularly from the rebound in dealmaking activity, as they're heavily exposed to investment banking and asset management fees.
After Market Close:
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT) will report on Thursday after the closing bell, offering a window into the health of freight and logistics.
Friday, January 16
Before Market Open:
The week wraps up with reports from several regional banks on Friday morning, rounding out a comprehensive look at the banking sector:
These regional players will provide important color on local economic conditions and whether smaller businesses and consumers are holding up as well as the national data suggests.
It's going to be a packed week that should give investors a much clearer picture of corporate health heading into 2025. The combination of major banks, a tech bellwether like TSMC, and transportation companies creates a diverse snapshot of the broader economy.
