Major Wall Street banks expect strong second-quarter earnings following a surge in sales and trading revenues. JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, and Wells Fargo report results on July 14. Morgan Stanley follows with its report on July 15.
Analysts attribute the boost to the nearly $86 billion SpaceX IPO. This offering generated substantial fees and trading activity for the largest lenders. Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley expect to outperform in equities due to their lead roles in the deal.
Market revenue for global banks could rise by at least 15% year-over-year. Equities trading serves as the primary growth engine for the sector. Global investment banking revenue reached $61.4 billion in the first half of 2026. This figure represents a 24% increase from the prior year.
Geopolitical tensions and AI uncertainty sustained high market volatility throughout 2026. This environment bolstered trading volumes for major players. Investors are monitoring the sector's performance through ETFs such as XLF and VFH.