JPMorgan’s Dimon warns of economic uncertainties as profit slumps By Reuters

(Reuters) -JPMorgan Chase & Co’s first-quarter revenue slumped 42% as dealmaking slowed and credit score losses elevated, with Chief Govt Jamie Dimon warning that decades-high inflation and the Ukraine disaster may dampen financial progress.

The lackluster outcomes from the most important U.S. lender – seen as a bellwether for the economic system – set the tone for first-quarter earnings from Wall Road banks because the Federal Reserve appears to rein in inflation and the buying and selling bonanza the banks loved through the pandemic tapers off.

“Inflation and Ukraine are highly effective forces that threaten the economic system,” Dimon mentioned on a name with media, underscoring a change in his bullish outlook for the U.S. economic system.

“The Fed must attempt to handle this economic system and attempt to get to a delicate touchdown, if potential.”

Credit score prices swung dramatically to $1.46 billion because the financial institution added to reserves for mortgage losses. A yr earlier, JPMorgan (NYSE:) benefited because it launched $4.16 billion from the reserves it had constructed up through the pandemic.

The financial institution’s shares fell 3.5% in premarket buying and selling, including to their 17% decline this yr.

Funding banking income for large banks stalled after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in late February. Within the first quarter, the whole worth of pending and accomplished offers fell to its lowest for the reason that second quarter of 2020, in keeping with Refinitiv information.

JPMorgan reported a 28% drop in funding banking income for the primary quarter, dragging internet income down 5% to $30.72 billion. Internet income additionally mirrored markdowns associated to derivatives receivables linked to Russia.

Funding banking charges plunged 32% to $2.01 billion. The drop got here on the again of a 69% decline in fairness underwriting charges.

Like rivals Goldman Sachs (NYSE:) and Morgan Stanley (NYSE:), JPMorgan rode the dealmaking wave final yr and suggested on a number of main enterprise combos, underwrote a few of the greatest inventory market listings and helped put collectively offers involving particular goal acquisition corporations.

Within the first quarter of 2022, nonetheless, the variety of offers the place JPMorgan acted as a bookrunner declined 39% in contrast with final yr.

UP AGAINST INFLATION

The large U.S. banks are additionally reporting outcomes at a time of surging inflation, which could lead on the Federal Reserve to hike rates of interest extra aggressively this yr.

Whereas that’s good for large lenders like JPMorgan, speedy charge hikes may decelerate the economic system and scupper a nascent restoration from the pandemic.

Internet curiosity revenue from JPMorgan’s core banking companies and excluding the impression of markets elevated 9% from a yr earlier.

The lender additionally mentioned it expects 2022 internet curiosity revenue excluding markets to be greater than $53 billion, largely according to its personal estimate in February when about six quarter-point charge hikes have been anticipated from the Federal Reserve this yr.

Non-interest bills rose 2% to $19.2 billion within the quarter. Traders have been involved whether or not banks, notably JPMorgan, are permitting bills to extend an excessive amount of.

JPMorgan reiterated its full-year bills would improve practically 10%.

The financial institution’s complete loans rose 6% to $1.07 trillion through the first quarter, pushed by will increase in bank card and wholesale loans.

Markets income got here in stronger than had some had feared, falling 3% to $8.8 billion, with fastened revenue buying and selling down only one% in comparison with exceptionally robust ranges final yr.

The lender additionally mentioned its board accredited a share buyback plan of $30 billion. The corporate purchased again shares value $1.7 billion within the first quarter.

Different giant U.S. banks together with Citigroup (NYSE:), Wells Fargo (NYSE:) and Goldman Sachs will report outcomes on Thursday, whereas Financial institution of America (NYSE:) reviews outcomes subsequent Monday.