Big Banks Made More Money — Here's What That Means for You

Goldman Sachs made $5.29 billion in profit on $18.68 billion in revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 2026 Goldman Sachs release. Profit per share, which splits profit across all shares, was $17.01. That compares with $12.25 a year earlier Q3 results. The period ended September 30.

Return on common equity was 18.7% for the quarter on an annualized basis Investor Relations. That is yearly profit for each dollar shareholders have in the bank. Fees from advising on deals were $1.65 billion, up 18% CNBC.

Wells Fargo reported profit per share of $1.87, up 13% from a year ago Wells Fargo earnings. The bank said numbers in its 3Q26 Quarterly Supplement are preliminary Quarterly Supplement. It had scheduled Q3 2026 earnings for Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at 10 a.m. ET.

JPMorganChase said its Third-Quarter 2026 results were scheduled for about 7:00 a.m. ET JPMorganChase notice. Its call to discuss the quarter was scheduled for October 13, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern. Citigroup was slated to report before the market opened on October 13, 2026 Reuters. Earnings for the largest U.S. banks were expected to rise up to 20% from last year Reuters.

The broader context here is timing. Four big banks are reporting within hours, so they need to be read together. A headline profit number is like a final score. It does not show how the points were made. Profit from deal fees and trading lasts differently and uses capital differently than profit from lending and lower loan losses. The releases so far do not give that split.

Looking at what this means for the two numbers we have, start with what is missing. Profit ratios and deal fees show direction but not detail. Costs, pay, money set aside for bad loans, and capital cushions will show how much revenue can actually be paid out. Wells Fargo's 13% rise also needs revenue, cost, and share count. Profit per share can rise from buying back shares and tax rates, not just better business. The warning that figures are preliminary is another caution. Treat the number as provisional until the supplement is final and the call explains it.

In my view, the 20% expectation sets the bar but not the answer. The real work comes after the headlines. The JPMorgan call at 8:30 a.m. and Wells Fargo event at 10 a.m. will cover deal pipelines, what banks pay for deposits, and how they plan for loan losses. That will shape fee and lending income for the fourth quarter more than any single profit surprise.