Earnings season gets its real kickoff next week, and as always, the big banks go first. Their results are a read on the whole economy: lending, trading, deal making, and how healthy the consumer really is. Here is who reports, when, and what to watch as JPMorgan (JPM) and the rest open the books on the third quarter.
Who Reports and When?
The heavy hitters cluster over two days. On October 13, before the market opens, JPMorgan (JPM), Wells Fargo (WFC), Citigroup (C) and Goldman Sachs (GS) all report. The next morning, October 14, Bank of America (BAC) and Morgan Stanley (MS) follow. JPMorgan is the bellwether, and its early release sets the tone for the group.
What Analysts Expect from JPMorgan
Wall Street is looking for JPMorgan to post about $5.90 in earnings per share on roughly $51.5 billion in revenue, which would be around 16% and 11% growth respectively. The bar is high for a reason: in the second quarter, JPMorgan reported a record $21.2 billion profit, up more than 41% from a year earlier, with revenue jumping 27% to $57.35 billion and comfortably beating estimates. The bank is now closing in on a $1 trillion market value, a first for a US lender.
What To Watch Across the Banks
Beyond the headline numbers, four things matter. Net interest income shows how much banks earn on the gap between lending and deposit rates. Trading and investment banking revenue reveals whether the deal and markets boom is still running. Loan loss provisions signal how worried banks are about credit going bad. And commentary on the consumer, from card spending to delinquencies, is the clearest window into Main Street. Strong numbers from JPMorgan (JPM) and Goldman Sachs (GS) would reinforce the soft landing story, while cautious guidance would do the opposite.
Why Bank Earnings Set the Tone for the Market
Banks touch every part of the economy, so their results and outlooks often move far more than their own share prices. A clean start to earnings season from the financials can lift sentiment broadly, while a stumble can shake it. With the S&P 500 sitting near records after a strong week, expectations are elevated, which raises the stakes for these reports. For the broader market context, see our weekly market recap.
Compare the big banks side by side on Stock Market ROIFrequently Asked Questions
When do banks report Q3 2026 earnings?
JPMorgan, Wells Fargo, Citigroup and Goldman Sachs report before the open on October 13, 2026, with Bank of America and Morgan Stanley on October 14.
What is JPMorgan expected to earn?
Analysts expect about $5.90 in earnings per share on roughly $51.5 billion in revenue, representing around 16% earnings growth and 11% revenue growth.
Why do bank earnings matter so much?
Banks lend to businesses and consumers, trade markets, and advise on deals, so their results and outlooks are an early and broad read on the health of the whole economy.
The Setup Into Earnings
The banks enter this season from a position of strength, with JPMorgan fresh off a record quarter and the group riding a busy stretch for trading and deal making. That strength is also the risk: when expectations are this high, even good results can disappoint if guidance is cautious. October 13 and 14 will tell us whether the financial sector can keep carrying the market, or whether the easy gains are behind it.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice. Always do your own research before investing.
