Identifying the “best and worst” stocks in any sector is highly subjective. And in the banking sector, that criteria has even more nuances to consider. Oggonomics has seen now the top-four banks by market capitalization report earnings. The results were rather mixed to positive, but while with mixed post-earnings stock reactions there was still a clear loser of the lot.
What is interesting, despite macroeconomic pressures and geopolitical risks, none of the banks reported that the economy is about to fall off a cliff and all reported that their customers remained strong with very few concerns about the immediate economy.
Evaluating each bank stock’s reaction can be tricky just on the day-one reaction to each earnings report. It is not uncommon for banks to beat earnings and still see their stocks take a “sell the news” reaction. The reports generated on July 14 are also unlikely to create any major price-target changes by Wall Street analysts, and most targets may be adjusted higher in the post-earnings reaction days.
Despite mixed results, these top four bank stocks have a combined market capitalization of more than $1.8 trillion and they dominate the national banking scene by assets held in deposit and in total assets. These four held roughly one-third of all traditional bank deposits as of 2025.
CITIGROUP
Citigroup Inc. (C) was the clear loser after falling 5.3% to $133.27, although it’s stock is still up the most of the major 4 banks YTD and over the last year.
Market Cap: $227 billion
YTD Performance: +14.2%
1-YR Performance: +52.3%
Stated Q2-2026 Book Value: $114.74
Commentary: Citigroup handily beat earnings expectations as its profit rose 45% and revenue rose 14% from a year ago. The reaction may be skewed to profit-taking and due to it rising above book value after years of trading at a discount to book value. Despite posting a 13% return on tangible common equity, Citi maintained 2026 projections of 10% to 11%. The bank also noted that it will prefer to reinvest its strong returns for future growth rather than pocketing them or sending the returns all back to shareholders.
WELLS FARGO
Wells Fargo & Co. (WFC) fell 2.7% to $85.29
Market Cap: $261 billion
YTD Performance: -8.5%
1-YR Performance: +2.2%
Stated Q2-2026 Book Value: $114.74
Commentary: Wells Fargo announced earnings (per share) rose 25% and revenue increased 9% from a year ago. It repurchased 37.4 million common shares for a total of $3.0 billion in Q2-2026.
JPMORGAN CHASE
J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. (JPM) rose by 2.4% to $342.89 as the major bank that actually gained the most after its earnings.
Market Cap: $919 billion
YTD Performance: +6.4%
1-YR Performance: +18.7%
Stated Q2-2026 Book Value: $133.10
Commentary: JPMorgan beats Q2-2026 earnings estimates and remains the strongest of the four banks with a fortress balance sheet. It also raised full-year net interest income and its expense outlook, along with a fresh dividend hike and delivering on expectations with a $50 billion stock buyback.
BANK OF AMERICA
Bank of America Corporation (BAC) rose by 1.9% to $60.62, an impressive gain but not as much as JPMorgan Chase.
Market Cap: $430 billion
YTD Performance: +10.2%
1-YR Performance: +28.8%
Stated Q2-2026 Book Value: $39.34
Commentary: BofA noted that every segment showed gains in Q2 and that it beat earnings estimates by 10%. Earnings rose 34% and revenue rose 15% versus a year ago. Of the $8.0 billion returned to shareholders in Q2, $6.0 billion was used for common stock repurchases, and another $400 million will be used to retire expensive preferred shares this quarter.
