What To Expect From C, CMA, USB And BAC In Q4 Earnings?

The earnings season seems to have gotten off to a decent start with the banking giants reporting improved earnings and revenues so far.

The banks that have released results till now reported higher revenues supported by improved loan balances and hike in interest rates. However, lower mortgage and trading revenues impacted fee income to some extent.

The last three months of 2017 saw significant changes, stretching from passage of tax reform to Federal Reserve’s goal to continue raising rates steadily. The potential rise in equity issuances and persistent increase in debt underwriting has led to strengthening of investment banking. Also, the broader trends might lend banks some respite from the prevailing low volatility in the market. However, poor commercial and industrial loan growth during the quarter remains a concern.

Per the latest Earnings Preview, overall earnings for the major banks in fourth-quarter 2017 are projected to decline 2.6% year over year.

Earnings releases are coming in thick with Citigroup (NYSE:C) and Comerica Incorporated (NYSE:CMA) reporting on Jan 16, while U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB) and Bank of America (NYSE:C) are scheduled to report on Jan 17, before the opening bell.

Let’s have a look at what can be expected from these three Major Regional Banks when they report fourth quarter and 2017 earnings.

Citigroup’s earnings are expected to be $1.18, reflecting 4.4% improvement from the last-year quarter.

Also, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for sales is $17.1 billion, slightly higher than the prior-year quarter. Rise in loans along with a favorable interest rate environment is likely to benefit the bank’s net interest income (NII). Fee income is expected to benefit from strong momentum in investment banking business, partially offset by lower volume of M&A and poor mortgage activities during the quarter.

Nevertheless, the tax reform is expected to hurt its results for the quarter. The company expects a one-time charge of $16-$17 billion related to the write-down of deferred tax assets (DTAs) and charge related to cash repatriation to be around $3-$4 billion. (Read more: Will Citigroup Q4 Earnings Disappoint on Trading Slump?)

The bank carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Citigroup Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

Citigroup Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | Citigroup Inc. Quote

Comerica’s Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-quarter revenues of $812.8 million reflects year-over-year growth of 12.6%.

The bank’s top line is expected to improve on the back of higher fee income. Also, the consensus estimate for average earning assets of $66.4 billion reflects marginal growth from the previous quarter. However, weak trading revenues due to low volatility during the quarter is likely to partially offset the positive.

Costs are likely to decline given its efforts to trim expenses. (Read more: Can Q4 Earnings Propel Comerica Stock to New Highs?)

Comerica currently sports a Zacks Rank #1.

Comerica Incorporated Price and EPS Surprise

Comerica Incorporated Price and EPS Surprise | Comerica Incorporated Quote

U.S. Bancorp is expected to report year-over-year improvement in revenues supported by higher NII on the back of loan growth. Some support is expected from the consumer lending business as well. Moreover, strong investment banking activities during the quarter might drive fee income. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fee income is $2.4 billion, slightly up sequentially.

Further, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for U.S. Bancorp’s current-quarter earnings of 87 cents reflects a 6.1% rise year over year.

However, the bank’s goal of advancing technologically is likely to keep costs high. (Read more: Higher Fee Income to Brace U.S. Bancorp’s Q4 Results?)

The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of 3.

U.S. Bancorp Price and EPS Surprise

U.S. Bancorp price-eps-surprise | U.S. Bancorp Quote

Bank of America’s fourth-quarter earnings and revenues are projected to increase year over year.

Slowdown in trading activities and lower mortgage banking revenues are likely to be offset by increase in interest income and higher advisory and underwriting fees. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the Global Banking segment revenues of $4.92 billion reflects a rise of 8.2% year over year.

The bank is expected to face a one-time charge of $3 billion in the quarter related to write-down of certain net DTAs. (Read more: Will Slowdown in Trading Impact BofA's Q4 Earnings?)

The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) Price and EPS Surprise

Bank of America Corporation price-eps-surprise | Bank of America Corporation Quote

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