BofA Tops Estimates as Trading Beats and Lending Revenue Rises

Group 1 - Bank of America Corp. reported its best fourth quarter ever, with equity trading revenue rising 23% to $2.02 billion, exceeding analysts' expectations of approximately $1.9 billion [1] - The company's earnings reached 98 cents per share, surpassing analysts' estimates [1] - Net interest income (NII) increased by 9.7% to $15.8 billion, outperforming the expected 7.8% growth [3] Group 2 - The CEO of Bank of America expressed optimism about the US economy in 2026, citing resilience among consumers and businesses, along with a clearer regulatory environment [2] - The company anticipates NII to rise by 7% in the first quarter of 2026 on a fully taxable equivalent basis, with a full-year growth forecast of 5% to 7% [3] - The fourth-quarter results provide insights into the performance of major US banks during the first year of President Trump's return to office [4]