Bank performance and impact on the markets
Today on Wall Street opens with a slight increase, mainly supported by the solid quarterly performance of banks. These financial institutions continue to exceed analysts’ expectations, contributing to a climate of confidence among investors. At the opening, the Dow Jones index remained stable, while the S&P 500 rose by 8.79 points (+0.15%) and the Nasdaq grew by 56.26 points (+0.29%). This positive scenario is a clear sign of the resilience of the banking sector, which has demonstrated a significant capacity to adapt to recent economic challenges
.
Oil market trend
In the current context, the price of WTI oil at Nymex shows a slight decline, falling by 0.29% to 79.81 dollars per barrel. This decrease could be attributed to various factors, including concerns about global demand and geopolitical uncertainties. Investors are closely monitoring energy market dynamics, as any significant change could have repercussions on stock markets and the economy
in general.
Retail sales and unemployment benefits claims
Another aspect to consider is the trend in retail sales in the United States, which registered a growth of 0.4% in December compared to the previous month, reaching 729.2 billion dollars. However, this increase is lower than analysts’ expectations, who expected an increase of 0.6%. On an annual basis, the sector saw an increase of 3.9%, but core sales, excluding cars, grew by only 0.3%, remaining below forecasts. In addition, initial claims for unemployment benefits increased by 14,000 units in the week ending January 11, exceeding expectations, although the total number of beneficiaries decreased, signaling
some stability in the labor market.
Banks’ financial results
Banks, in particular, are showing impressive financial results. Morgan Stanley recorded a significant increase in profits and revenues in 2024, exceeding expectations thanks to solid stock trading and fixed income. Likewise, Bank of America reported an increase in net profit in the fourth quarter of 2024, exceeding 6.7 billion dollars, more than double compared to the previous year. Revenues rose 15%, and earnings per share reached $0.82, supported by an increase in deposits and loans, with a strong return of capital to shareholders. These results highlight the ability of banks to navigate a complex economic environment and to generate value for shareholders
.