Jobs Up, Wages Down: Financial ETFs May Have Just Found Their Sweet Spot
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 09 2025
0mins
Source: Benzinga
April U.S. Employment Report: The report showed a nonfarm payroll increase of 177,000, surpassing expectations, while average hourly earnings growth slowed to 0.2%, indicating a stable labor market that benefits the financial sector without overheating the economy.
Impact on Financial ETFs: Slower wage growth and reduced inflation expectations may lead to increased profitability for banks and financial ETFs, as they could benefit from stable margins, potential rate cuts by the Fed, and a rebound in loan demand.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy WFC?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on WFC
Wall Street analysts forecast WFC stock price to rise
17 Analyst Rating
10 Buy
6 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 83.730
Low
74.00
Averages
98.66
High
113.00
Current: 83.730
Low
74.00
Averages
98.66
High
113.00
About WFC
Wells Fargo & Company is a financial services company. The Company provides a diversified set of banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, to individuals, businesses and institutions. The Company operates through four segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management. The Company provides consumer financial products and services, including checking and savings accounts, credit and debit cards, and auto, residential mortgage, and small business lending. In addition, the Company offers financial planning, private banking, investment management, and fiduciary services. It also provides financial solutions to businesses through products and services including traditional commercial loans and lines of credit, letters of credit, asset-based lending and leasing, trade financing, treasury management, and investment banking services.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Wells Fargo Partners with ICON to Enhance Financing for 3D-Printed Homes
- Expanded Financing Access: Wells Fargo has been named a preferred mortgage lender for ICON, offering a 50-basis point lender credit to reduce financing costs for buyers, thereby enhancing market acceptance of 3D-printed homes.
- Support for Innovative Construction: This collaboration addresses housing supply and affordability challenges while promoting ICON's advanced construction technology, helping more individuals achieve homeownership and demonstrating a commitment to sustainability.
- Continuation of Historical Partnership: The relationship between Wells Fargo and ICON began in 2019, focusing on innovations in payment automation and capital markets, reflecting shared values in driving innovation for homeownership and sustainability.
- Social Responsibility Investment: Wells Fargo provided a $500,000 grant for Initiative 99, aimed at designing high-quality homes that can be built using 3D printing technology, further addressing homelessness and showcasing the cost and waste reduction potential of robotic construction.
See More
US Banks Face Regulatory Scrutiny and Accusations
- Regulatory Review Upcoming: The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is expected to release findings in the coming weeks regarding whether major banks, including JPMorgan and Bank of America, improperly closed customer accounts for religious or political reasons, potentially leading to disciplinary actions that could heighten public scrutiny of banking practices.
- Increased Political Pressure: As Trump and the Republican Party intensify pressure on Wall Street banks to abandon what they term 'woke' policies, banks are compelled to rethink longstanding lending and account service policies, which may significantly impact their market positioning and customer relationships.
- High Volume of Complaints and Investigations: The OCC has received approximately 100,000 complaints related to service restrictions from 2020 to 2023, indicating a strong public demand for transparency in banking services, and the detailed inquiries by regulators could result in formal sanctions against some banks.
- Unclear Legal Liability Theory: While the OCC is exploring potential legal liability theories, many of the groups flagged may not be protected under fair lending laws, presenting legal challenges for regulators in holding banks accountable, which could influence future regulatory policies and banking operations.
See More
Food Prices Impacting Summer Barbecue Plans
- Rising Barbecue Costs: According to Wells Fargo, the average cost for a backyard barbecue for 10 people is $161 this year, reflecting a 2.4% increase that mirrors ongoing inflation in food prices, potentially straining household budgets for summer gatherings.
- Changing Consumer Trends: With more individuals opting for home gatherings over travel, backyard barbecues are becoming a favored summer social activity, likely attracting more guests and enhancing the communal atmosphere of family events.
- Protein Choice Adjustments: As hamburger meat prices rise by 14%, consumers may pivot to alternative proteins like chicken breasts and pork ribs, which have only increased by 3%, helping to manage costs while catering to health-conscious preferences.
- Beverage Budget Management: While beer and wine prices have only risen by 1%, they represent a significant portion of barbecue budgets, prompting hosts to encourage guests to bring their own drinks, thereby reducing overall expenses while adding variety to the gathering.
See More
Wells Fargo Donates $1 Million to Support Skilled Trades Training
- Donation Amount: Wells Fargo has announced a $1 million donation to support skilled trades training and workforce development in Pennsylvania, aiming to enhance local labor market skills through its partnership with the mikeroweWORKS Foundation.
- Historical Investment: Over the past two years, Wells Fargo has contributed more than $10 million in collaboration with the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to advancing skilled trades initiatives nationwide and driving economic growth.
- Labor Demand: The demand for skilled workers in Pennsylvania for trades such as electrical, plumbing, welding, and HVAC is growing at an unprecedented pace, and Wells Fargo's investment aims to address this critical workforce shortage, ensuring more individuals can access well-paying jobs.
- Community Impact: This donation represents not only an investment in Pennsylvania's workforce pipeline but also supports scholarships and training programs that enhance economic mobility within communities, fostering long-term economic development.
See More
Citigroup Outperforms Market Following Trump's Praise
- Trump's Endorsement: President Trump praised Citigroup and CEO Jane Fraser on social media for being ranked number one in M&A advisory market value in Q1 2026, although the specific ranking source remains unclear.
- Stock Price Fluctuation: Citigroup shares reached a high of $137.12 at market open, up nearly 1.8%, but closed down 1%, still outperforming JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs, indicating market confidence in its future.
- M&A Market Position: According to Dealogic, Citigroup has fallen to fifth place among M&A advisors in 2026, down from fourth in 2025, highlighting challenges in a competitive landscape.
- Stock Performance: Citigroup's stock has risen 14.3% in 2026, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 6.2% gain, reflecting a gradual restoration of market trust during its multi-year turnaround under Fraser.
See More
Wells Fargo Expects Mid-Teens Growth in Markets Business
- Market Growth Expectation: Wells Fargo anticipates its markets business to grow in the mid-teens year-over-year in Q2, reflecting the bank's robust performance in financial markets and further solidifying its market position.
- Net Interest Income Target: The CFO reaffirmed the company's target of achieving $50 billion in net interest income by 2026, demonstrating confidence in future revenue growth despite uncertainties surrounding interest rate adjustments.
- Consumer Credit Stability: Despite rising consumer spending due to increased gas prices, Wells Fargo reported a 9% year-over-year increase in credit card spending, indicating strong credit performance and enhancing the bank's credit quality.
- Capital Deployment Priority: Wells Fargo emphasized that its priority in capital deployment is to support clients and grow organically, indicating a balanced approach between pursuing growth and returning value to shareholders, ensuring long-term sustainability.
See More
Wells Fargo Partners with ICON to Enhance Financing for 3D-Printed Homes
- Expanded Financing Access: Wells Fargo has been named a preferred mortgage lender for ICON, offering a 50-basis point lender credit to reduce financing costs for buyers, thereby enhancing market acceptance of 3D-printed homes.
- Support for Innovative Construction: This collaboration addresses housing supply and affordability challenges while promoting ICON's advanced construction technology, helping more individuals achieve homeownership and demonstrating a commitment to sustainability.
- Continuation of Historical Partnership: The relationship between Wells Fargo and ICON began in 2019, focusing on innovations in payment automation and capital markets, reflecting shared values in driving innovation for homeownership and sustainability.
- Social Responsibility Investment: Wells Fargo provided a $500,000 grant for Initiative 99, aimed at designing high-quality homes that can be built using 3D printing technology, further addressing homelessness and showcasing the cost and waste reduction potential of robotic construction.
See More
US Banks Face Regulatory Scrutiny and Accusations
- Regulatory Review Upcoming: The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is expected to release findings in the coming weeks regarding whether major banks, including JPMorgan and Bank of America, improperly closed customer accounts for religious or political reasons, potentially leading to disciplinary actions that could heighten public scrutiny of banking practices.
- Increased Political Pressure: As Trump and the Republican Party intensify pressure on Wall Street banks to abandon what they term 'woke' policies, banks are compelled to rethink longstanding lending and account service policies, which may significantly impact their market positioning and customer relationships.
- High Volume of Complaints and Investigations: The OCC has received approximately 100,000 complaints related to service restrictions from 2020 to 2023, indicating a strong public demand for transparency in banking services, and the detailed inquiries by regulators could result in formal sanctions against some banks.
- Unclear Legal Liability Theory: While the OCC is exploring potential legal liability theories, many of the groups flagged may not be protected under fair lending laws, presenting legal challenges for regulators in holding banks accountable, which could influence future regulatory policies and banking operations.
See More
Food Prices Impacting Summer Barbecue Plans
- Rising Barbecue Costs: According to Wells Fargo, the average cost for a backyard barbecue for 10 people is $161 this year, reflecting a 2.4% increase that mirrors ongoing inflation in food prices, potentially straining household budgets for summer gatherings.
- Changing Consumer Trends: With more individuals opting for home gatherings over travel, backyard barbecues are becoming a favored summer social activity, likely attracting more guests and enhancing the communal atmosphere of family events.
- Protein Choice Adjustments: As hamburger meat prices rise by 14%, consumers may pivot to alternative proteins like chicken breasts and pork ribs, which have only increased by 3%, helping to manage costs while catering to health-conscious preferences.
- Beverage Budget Management: While beer and wine prices have only risen by 1%, they represent a significant portion of barbecue budgets, prompting hosts to encourage guests to bring their own drinks, thereby reducing overall expenses while adding variety to the gathering.
See More
Wells Fargo Donates $1 Million to Support Skilled Trades Training
- Donation Amount: Wells Fargo has announced a $1 million donation to support skilled trades training and workforce development in Pennsylvania, aiming to enhance local labor market skills through its partnership with the mikeroweWORKS Foundation.
- Historical Investment: Over the past two years, Wells Fargo has contributed more than $10 million in collaboration with the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to advancing skilled trades initiatives nationwide and driving economic growth.
- Labor Demand: The demand for skilled workers in Pennsylvania for trades such as electrical, plumbing, welding, and HVAC is growing at an unprecedented pace, and Wells Fargo's investment aims to address this critical workforce shortage, ensuring more individuals can access well-paying jobs.
- Community Impact: This donation represents not only an investment in Pennsylvania's workforce pipeline but also supports scholarships and training programs that enhance economic mobility within communities, fostering long-term economic development.
See More
Citigroup Outperforms Market Following Trump's Praise
- Trump's Endorsement: President Trump praised Citigroup and CEO Jane Fraser on social media for being ranked number one in M&A advisory market value in Q1 2026, although the specific ranking source remains unclear.
- Stock Price Fluctuation: Citigroup shares reached a high of $137.12 at market open, up nearly 1.8%, but closed down 1%, still outperforming JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs, indicating market confidence in its future.
- M&A Market Position: According to Dealogic, Citigroup has fallen to fifth place among M&A advisors in 2026, down from fourth in 2025, highlighting challenges in a competitive landscape.
- Stock Performance: Citigroup's stock has risen 14.3% in 2026, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 6.2% gain, reflecting a gradual restoration of market trust during its multi-year turnaround under Fraser.
See More
Wells Fargo Expects Mid-Teens Growth in Markets Business
- Market Growth Expectation: Wells Fargo anticipates its markets business to grow in the mid-teens year-over-year in Q2, reflecting the bank's robust performance in financial markets and further solidifying its market position.
- Net Interest Income Target: The CFO reaffirmed the company's target of achieving $50 billion in net interest income by 2026, demonstrating confidence in future revenue growth despite uncertainties surrounding interest rate adjustments.
- Consumer Credit Stability: Despite rising consumer spending due to increased gas prices, Wells Fargo reported a 9% year-over-year increase in credit card spending, indicating strong credit performance and enhancing the bank's credit quality.
- Capital Deployment Priority: Wells Fargo emphasized that its priority in capital deployment is to support clients and grow organically, indicating a balanced approach between pursuing growth and returning value to shareholders, ensuring long-term sustainability.
See More
