J.P. Morgan’s London-based banking analysts. led by top-ranked analyst Kian Abouhossein just issued their predictions for banks’ revenues in 2018. If they’re right, this isn’t going to be a blowout year – but nor is it going to be that bad either.
Needless to say, some banks and some divisions within those banks are expected to fare better than others. Here’s the short version of their forecasts..
1. Broadly speaking, you want to work in fixed income, currencies and commodities (FICC) trading
2. Specifically, you want to work in macro rather than credit trading
Within FICC, macro (rates and FX) traders are expected to see the biggest uplift. This is partly the result of macro traders’ weak 2017, but rising revenues should at least justify last year’s rush of macro hiring.
By comparison, J.P.M is predicting that credit trading revenues will fall in 2018.
3. In equities you want to work in equity derivatives
While cash equities revenues stand to be impacted by the partially delayed MiFID II regulations, J.P.M’s analysts are predicting a pickup in equity derivatives revenues as volatility rises. This should help equities divisions at Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank.
4. Now might be a good time to join Credit Suisse
If you want to join a European bank, you might want to make it Credit Suisse. J.P. Morgan’s analysts have Credit Suisse stock as their top European investment banking pick. Following last November’s Credit Suisse investor day, they say the Swiss bank offers a combination of lower costs and improvements in the strategic resolution unit housing the bank’s toxic assets.
Of course, lower costs aren’t necessarily good news for employees – particularly if you work in compliance and control, where CS plans to slash staff.
5. Now is definitely a good time to join Goldman Sachs
Lastly, J.P. Morgan’s banking analysts are big believers in Goldman Sachs.
Following co-COO Harvey Schwartz’ presentation of Goldman’s turnaround strategy in September 2017, the analysts think things are looking up at the rival bank. “We believe GS has a bottom-up strategy to capture some of the FICC opportunities and [that] management is very committed to delivery,” they write. Markets should be kinder to Goldman too: rising volatility is expected to flatter the firm’s revenues in 2018. So too is a turnaround in the commodities business and, “ongoing best-in-class cost management.”
6. Deutsche Bank may be best avoided
If Goldman and Credit Suisse are looking good for 2018, Deutsche Bank remains a wild card. J.P.M’s analysts note that the bank has a limited track record of generating positive operating leverage and that it’s return on equity remains below its cost of equity.
Follow @MadameButcher
Have a confidential story, tip, or comment you’d like to share? Contact: sbutcher@efinancialcareers.com
Bear with us if you leave a comment at the bottom of this article: all our comments are moderated by human beings. Sometimes these humans might be asleep, or away from their desks, so it may take a while for your comment to appear. Eventually it will – unless it’s offensive or libelous (in which case it won’t.)
Related articles:
Where the worst Wall Street bonuses will be this yearThere is optimism for 2017 Wall Steet bonuses in some parts of the industry, but in other areas? Not so much.
The front office finance careers that pay the most for the least effortWhich front office banking and finance jobs will pay you the most at 25, 30 and 40? And which will require you to work the least?
Balyasny just made its first 2018 hire from CitadelBalyasny is starting 2018 in the way it finished 2017.
““