Stock price when the opinion was issued
Flagship US bank. Dimon has done a spectacular job. Pristine risk controls. Trading ~13x PE. Either #1 or #2 in all of its major businesses. Still growing and gaining market share. Core holding in any portfolio. Time is ripe to buy the best, you don't have to go down the food chain. Yield is 2.73%.
(Analysts’ price target is $266.16)Financial sector offers great promise, though it's reacted to current markets by pricing in a potential recession. Slower economic growth would not be good for banks. Absent a recession, with consumer confidence returning and unleashing M&A, the sector provides a good opportunity.
Don't value it on PE. Instead look at price to book, and it's expensive at 1.8x. Less expensive options include BAC and C.
Very efficient, with the lowest overhead ratio and highest ROE of all competitors. Very strong balance sheet, and it's very liquid. Should outperform peers in any type of economic environment. Stock's pulled back on tariff uncertainties about 17% from its highs, now trading ~12.5x forward PE. Increased dividend last week. Yield is 2.42%.
(Analysts’ price target is $257.89)
Banks reported their Q2 today. JPM's loan-loss provisions are $100 billion lower a year ago if you strip out First Republic. That says something about the trajectory of the economy. Add to that the CEO's bullish comments about the economy and his bank's forecast. Without First Rep., they beat profits at 40%, a 67% profit rise with FR. Massive.