For Immediate Release Chicago, IL – April 10, 2017 – Zacks.com releases the list of companies likely to issue earnings surprises. This week’s list includes JPMorgan (NYSE: JPM – Free Report ), PNC Financial (NYSE: PNC – Free Report ), Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC – Free Report ) and Citigroup (NYSE: C – Free Report ). To see more earnings analysis, visit https://at.zacks.com/?id=3207. Every day, Zacks.com makes their Bull Stock of the Day available, free of charge. To see it, click here . Can Earnings Get Their Mojo Back? Bank stocks have lost some of their post-election sheen, with the industry lagging the S&P 500 index in the year-to-date period, particularly since the market’s March 1st peak. The Zacks Major Banks industry, which includes all the money-center banks and big regionals like JPMorgan (NYSE: JPM – Free Report ) and PNC Financial (NYSE: PNC – Free Report ) that kick-off the Q1 earnings season for the industry on Thursday April 13th, is up only +0.8% vs. the +5.2% gain for the S&P 500 index in that time period. JPMorgan shares are barely in positive territory this year (up +0.3%), effectively losing all of their +8.4% gain since the start of the year through March 1st. We should keep in mind however that bank stocks are still up big since election day, with the Zacks Major Banks industry up +23.6% since November 8th (JPM shares are up +22.5% in that same time period). The recent pullback is solely a function of policy uncertainty out of Washington, with market participants tempering expectations for tax and regulatory reform in the wake of the healthcare standoff. This reaction likely makes sense. But we do want to point out that the overall backdrop for this industry remains very favorable, particularly given the Fed’s monetary policy stance. Treasury yields have been modestly trending lower lately, with the Syrian airstrikes and the mixed March jobs report likely adding to the trend a bit. But the market appears comfortable with the Fed’s rate hike outlook, which should keep the overall interest rate trend favorable for the banks. It is primarily this interest rate development that has driving analysts to raise their estimates for bank stocks. These positive estimate revisions aren’t that notable for the March quarter, but they are significant for the second half of the year and next year. What Are Banks Expected to Report or Q1? We will see if JPMorgan, Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC – Free Report ) and Citigroup (NYSE: C – Free Report ) will say anything about the policy questions when they report Q1 results this week (all reporting on April 13th), but they’ll likely reiterate the improved interest rate backdrop, heightened investor risk appetites and favorable outlook for the U.S. and global economy. March quarter estimates came down a bit for JPMorgan and Citigroup, but have remained relatively stable for Wells. For the Finance sector as a whole, of which the Major Banks industry is the biggest earnings contributor, total Q1 earnings are expected to be up +5.4% from the same period last year on +2.9% higher revenues. This would follow +16.7% earnings growth in 2016 Q4 on +6.3% higher revenues. Please note that the Major Banks industry, of which JPMorgan, Wells Fargo and others are part, accounts for roughly 45% of the sector’s total earnings (insurance is the second biggest earnings contributor, accounting for about 25% of the total). With earnings growth for the Major Banks industry expected to be just +0.2% for Q1, a strong showing from these big players will have a big impact on the entire sector. Better than expected results will likely prompt market participants to overlook the uncertainty out of Congress and acknowledge this industry’s improved outlook. In other words, these stocks can get their mojo back with better than expected results in the coming days. Expectations for Q1 As a Whole Total Q1 earnings are expected to be up +6.5% from the same period last year on +6.3% higher revenues. This would follow +7.4% earnings growth in 2016 Q4 on +4.7%, the highest growth pace in all most two years. Estimates for the quarter came down as the quarter unfolded, with the current +6.5% growth down from +10.4% at the end of December. Note: Sheraz Mian manages the Zacks equity research department. He is an acknowledged earnings expert whose commentaries and analyses appear on Zacks.com and in the print and electronic media. His weekly earnings related articles include Earnings Trends and Earnings Preview. He manages the Zacks Top 10 and Focus List portfolios and writes the Weekly Market Analysis article for Zacks Premium subscribers. Our Best Private Investment Ideas If you’d like to see specific recommendations to capitalize on current market conditions, there is a way you can follow all Zacks' private buys and sells in real time. Our experts cover everything from earnings surprises and insider buys to stocks under $10 and ETFs. Starting today, for the next month, you can have unrestricted access to all of our exclusive portfolios. 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