Strong U.S. economy will spur them higher

Article Excerpt

These three U.S. lenders continue to benefit as the improving American economy lifts demand for new loans at higher interest rates. As well, more borrowers are repaying their loans on time. What’s more, all three continue to trade at low multiples to their projected earnings. J.P. MORGAN CHASE & CO. $103 (New York symbol JPM; Income Portfolio, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 3.4 billion; Market cap: $350.2 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 3.4; Dividend yield: 3.1%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.jpmorganchase.com) is the largest banking firm in the U.S., with total assets of $2.62 trillion as of September 30, 2018. Morgan has four main businesses: Consumer and Community Banking, including branches and credit cards (48% of revenue in the latest quarter, 48% of earnings); Corporate and Investment Banking, including brokerage and underwriting services (31%, 31%); Asset Management (13%, 8%); and Commercial Banking, which provides financing and other services to business clients (8%, 13%). About 75% of Morgan’s revenue comes from the U.S. The bank earned $8.4 billion in the…