Reasons Companies Are Letting Go of Employees
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Nov 02 2025
0mins
Source: WSJ
Corporate Firing Freeze Ends: Corporate America has lifted its firing freeze, indicating a shift in employment strategies.
Post-Pandemic Workforce Lessons: Companies have learned the importance of retaining existing employees, as losing them can complicate future hiring efforts.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy JPM?" 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 JPM
Wall Street analysts forecast JPM stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for JPM is 341.38 USD with a low forecast of 260.00 USD and a high forecast of 400.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
19 Analyst Rating
11 Buy
7 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 310.160
Low
260.00
Averages
341.38
High
400.00
Current: 310.160
Low
260.00
Averages
341.38
High
400.00
About JPM
JPMorgan Chase & Co. is a financial holding company. The Company is engaged in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing and asset management. The Company operates through three segments: Consumer & Community Banking (CCB), Commercial & Investment Bank (CIB), and Asset & Wealth Management (AWM). Its CCB segment offers products and services to consumers and small businesses through bank branches, ATMs, digital and telephone banking. Its CIB segment consists of banking and payments and markets and securities services, and offers a suite of investment banking, lending, payments, market-making, financing, custody and securities products and services to a global base of corporate and institutional clients. AWM segment offers investment and wealth management solutions. It offers multi-asset investment management solutions, retirement products and services, brokerage, custody, estate planning, and others.
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.
JPMorgan Chase Upgraded to Neutral by Baird After Strong Q4 Earnings
- Rating Upgrade: Baird analyst David George upgraded JPMorgan Chase from Underperform to Neutral while maintaining a price target of $280, citing the bank's 'enviable capital position' as a key factor supporting this revision.
- Strong Earnings Report: In its Q4 2025 earnings report, JPMorgan posted an adjusted EPS of $5.23, surpassing the $5.00 consensus, with revenue reaching $46.77 billion, exceeding the $46.20 billion estimate, indicating robust profitability.
- Valuation Concerns: Despite the strong earnings, George noted that JPMorgan's stock trades near 3x tangible book value, suggesting limited margin for disappointment, thus making the risk/reward profile more reasonable but unattractive for new investments.
- Investment Banking Outlook: TD Cowen reiterated its Buy rating on JPMorgan with a price target of $400, despite a 4% drop in shares post-earnings, which analysts deemed 'unwarranted', highlighting a positive outlook for investment banking activity and loan growth in 2026.
See More
AI Drives Investment Opportunities in AppLovin and Robinhood
- AI Technology Transformation: Analysts widely believe that artificial intelligence will be the most transformative technology of the next decade, with its economic impact expected to rival that of the internet, and its adoption rate significantly outpacing that of the internet, indicating strong market potential.
- AppLovin Investment Outlook: AppLovin's Axon ad engine leverages AI to match advertiser demand with publisher supply, with adjusted earnings expected to grow at 48% annually over the next three years; the current P/E ratio of 51 times appears reasonable, and analysts' target price of $771 per share implies an 89% upside.
- Robinhood Market Share Growth: Robinhood is gaining market share across multiple brokerage service categories through payment for order flow and other revenue streams, with adjusted earnings projected to grow at 20% annually over the next three years; the current P/E ratio of 34 times is sensible, and analysts' target price of $152 per share suggests an 81% upside.
- AI Tool Innovation: Robinhood's AI investment tool, Cortex, provides real-time data analysis for Gold subscribers, helping users understand stock price movements, with the CEO stating the goal is to offer users a world-class financial team, further enhancing its appeal among younger investors.
See More
AI Revolutionizes Advertising Industry with Major Stock Upside Potential
- AppLovin AI Engine: AppLovin's AI recommendation engine, powered by Axon technology, enables advertisers to target campaigns effectively, with adjusted earnings expected to grow at 48% annually over the next three years, making the current 51 times earnings valuation appear reasonable and highlighting its strong growth potential in the advertising market.
- Return on Ad Spend: AppLovin delivers a 45% higher return on ad spend (ROAS) than Meta and a 115% higher ROAS than platforms like YouTube and TikTok, indicating the effectiveness of its advertising technology and solidifying its leadership position in the rapidly evolving digital advertising space.
- Robinhood AI Tool: Robinhood's AI investment tool, Cortex, leverages real-time data and analysis to assist users in making informed investment decisions, with adjusted earnings projected to grow at 20% annually over the next three years, showcasing its strong appeal among younger investors.
- Market Share Growth: Robinhood is gaining market share across multiple brokerage service categories, particularly among millennials and Gen Z, boasting twice the customer base of its closest competitor, which is expected to further drive revenue growth and enhance its market position.
See More
Private Credit Markets Face AI Disruption Risks
- Increased Pressure on Software Sector: The introduction of new AI tools by Anthropic has triggered a sell-off in software data provider shares, intensifying uncertainty in the private credit market, particularly regarding lending risks to software companies.
- Decline in Asset Management Stocks: Ares Management fell over 12%, Blue Owl Capital dropped more than 8%, and KKR and TPG saw declines of nearly 10% and 7%, respectively, reflecting investor concerns about AI's potential impact on cash flows and default risks.
- Rising Default Risks: UBS Group has warned that in an aggressive disruption scenario, default rates in U.S. private credit could rise to 13%, significantly higher than the projected stress for leveraged loans and high-yield bonds, estimated at 8% and 4%, respectively.
- Liquidity Issues Intensified: Although strains in private credit predate AI concerns, Jeffrey C. Hooke noted that existing liquidity and loan extension issues have been exacerbated by recent developments, adding new challenges to an already pressured sector.
See More
Apple Card Issuer Transition to JPMorgan Chase Marks New Consumer Finance Era
- Issuer Transition: In early 2026, JPMorgan Chase was selected as the new issuer of the Apple Card, taking over from Goldman Sachs, which stated that this move would help it narrow its business focus, highlighting Apple's ongoing expansion in consumer finance.
- Market Position: JPMorgan Chase is the largest credit card issuer in the U.S., managing approximately 150 million credit cards, while the Apple Card has over 12 million users; although this addition is modest, it still presents new cross-selling opportunities for the bank.
- User Demographics: Research indicates that Apple Card users are predominantly aged 20 to 40, accounting for about 70% of the user base, which allows JPMorgan Chase to effectively promote its premium credit card products, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve, thereby enhancing customer loyalty.
- Future Outlook: While the specific financial terms of JPMorgan Chase's acquisition of the Apple Card business remain unclear, this partnership is expected to bring a significant influx of new customers to the bank, potentially invigorating its stock and strengthening its competitive position in the market.
See More
JPMorgan Chase Takes Over Apple Card Issuance
- Issuer Transition: In early 2026, JPMorgan Chase was selected as the new issuer of the Apple Card, taking over from Goldman Sachs, with the transition expected to take around two years, marking a new chapter in Apple's consumer finance venture while reflecting Goldman’s strategic refocus.
- Market Share Expansion: As the largest credit card issuer in the U.S., JPMorgan Chase currently provides credit for approximately 150 million cards, while the Apple Card has over 12 million users; although this addition is not dramatically impactful, it presents significant cross-selling opportunities for Chase.
- User Demographics: Research indicates that Apple Card users are predominantly aged 20 to 40, accounting for about 70% of the user base, which provides JPMorgan Chase with a prime opportunity to market its higher-end products, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve, to this younger demographic, enhancing customer loyalty.
- Future Outlook: While the specific financial details of JPMorgan Chase's acquisition of the Apple Card business remain unclear, this partnership is expected to bring a substantial number of new customers to Chase, potentially invigorating its stock and boosting market confidence in its growth prospects.
See More
JPMorgan Chase Upgraded to Neutral by Baird After Strong Q4 Earnings
- Rating Upgrade: Baird analyst David George upgraded JPMorgan Chase from Underperform to Neutral while maintaining a price target of $280, citing the bank's 'enviable capital position' as a key factor supporting this revision.
- Strong Earnings Report: In its Q4 2025 earnings report, JPMorgan posted an adjusted EPS of $5.23, surpassing the $5.00 consensus, with revenue reaching $46.77 billion, exceeding the $46.20 billion estimate, indicating robust profitability.
- Valuation Concerns: Despite the strong earnings, George noted that JPMorgan's stock trades near 3x tangible book value, suggesting limited margin for disappointment, thus making the risk/reward profile more reasonable but unattractive for new investments.
- Investment Banking Outlook: TD Cowen reiterated its Buy rating on JPMorgan with a price target of $400, despite a 4% drop in shares post-earnings, which analysts deemed 'unwarranted', highlighting a positive outlook for investment banking activity and loan growth in 2026.
See More
AI Drives Investment Opportunities in AppLovin and Robinhood
- AI Technology Transformation: Analysts widely believe that artificial intelligence will be the most transformative technology of the next decade, with its economic impact expected to rival that of the internet, and its adoption rate significantly outpacing that of the internet, indicating strong market potential.
- AppLovin Investment Outlook: AppLovin's Axon ad engine leverages AI to match advertiser demand with publisher supply, with adjusted earnings expected to grow at 48% annually over the next three years; the current P/E ratio of 51 times appears reasonable, and analysts' target price of $771 per share implies an 89% upside.
- Robinhood Market Share Growth: Robinhood is gaining market share across multiple brokerage service categories through payment for order flow and other revenue streams, with adjusted earnings projected to grow at 20% annually over the next three years; the current P/E ratio of 34 times is sensible, and analysts' target price of $152 per share suggests an 81% upside.
- AI Tool Innovation: Robinhood's AI investment tool, Cortex, provides real-time data analysis for Gold subscribers, helping users understand stock price movements, with the CEO stating the goal is to offer users a world-class financial team, further enhancing its appeal among younger investors.
See More
AI Revolutionizes Advertising Industry with Major Stock Upside Potential
- AppLovin AI Engine: AppLovin's AI recommendation engine, powered by Axon technology, enables advertisers to target campaigns effectively, with adjusted earnings expected to grow at 48% annually over the next three years, making the current 51 times earnings valuation appear reasonable and highlighting its strong growth potential in the advertising market.
- Return on Ad Spend: AppLovin delivers a 45% higher return on ad spend (ROAS) than Meta and a 115% higher ROAS than platforms like YouTube and TikTok, indicating the effectiveness of its advertising technology and solidifying its leadership position in the rapidly evolving digital advertising space.
- Robinhood AI Tool: Robinhood's AI investment tool, Cortex, leverages real-time data and analysis to assist users in making informed investment decisions, with adjusted earnings projected to grow at 20% annually over the next three years, showcasing its strong appeal among younger investors.
- Market Share Growth: Robinhood is gaining market share across multiple brokerage service categories, particularly among millennials and Gen Z, boasting twice the customer base of its closest competitor, which is expected to further drive revenue growth and enhance its market position.
See More
Private Credit Markets Face AI Disruption Risks
- Increased Pressure on Software Sector: The introduction of new AI tools by Anthropic has triggered a sell-off in software data provider shares, intensifying uncertainty in the private credit market, particularly regarding lending risks to software companies.
- Decline in Asset Management Stocks: Ares Management fell over 12%, Blue Owl Capital dropped more than 8%, and KKR and TPG saw declines of nearly 10% and 7%, respectively, reflecting investor concerns about AI's potential impact on cash flows and default risks.
- Rising Default Risks: UBS Group has warned that in an aggressive disruption scenario, default rates in U.S. private credit could rise to 13%, significantly higher than the projected stress for leveraged loans and high-yield bonds, estimated at 8% and 4%, respectively.
- Liquidity Issues Intensified: Although strains in private credit predate AI concerns, Jeffrey C. Hooke noted that existing liquidity and loan extension issues have been exacerbated by recent developments, adding new challenges to an already pressured sector.
See More
Apple Card Issuer Transition to JPMorgan Chase Marks New Consumer Finance Era
- Issuer Transition: In early 2026, JPMorgan Chase was selected as the new issuer of the Apple Card, taking over from Goldman Sachs, which stated that this move would help it narrow its business focus, highlighting Apple's ongoing expansion in consumer finance.
- Market Position: JPMorgan Chase is the largest credit card issuer in the U.S., managing approximately 150 million credit cards, while the Apple Card has over 12 million users; although this addition is modest, it still presents new cross-selling opportunities for the bank.
- User Demographics: Research indicates that Apple Card users are predominantly aged 20 to 40, accounting for about 70% of the user base, which allows JPMorgan Chase to effectively promote its premium credit card products, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve, thereby enhancing customer loyalty.
- Future Outlook: While the specific financial terms of JPMorgan Chase's acquisition of the Apple Card business remain unclear, this partnership is expected to bring a significant influx of new customers to the bank, potentially invigorating its stock and strengthening its competitive position in the market.
See More
JPMorgan Chase Takes Over Apple Card Issuance
- Issuer Transition: In early 2026, JPMorgan Chase was selected as the new issuer of the Apple Card, taking over from Goldman Sachs, with the transition expected to take around two years, marking a new chapter in Apple's consumer finance venture while reflecting Goldman’s strategic refocus.
- Market Share Expansion: As the largest credit card issuer in the U.S., JPMorgan Chase currently provides credit for approximately 150 million cards, while the Apple Card has over 12 million users; although this addition is not dramatically impactful, it presents significant cross-selling opportunities for Chase.
- User Demographics: Research indicates that Apple Card users are predominantly aged 20 to 40, accounting for about 70% of the user base, which provides JPMorgan Chase with a prime opportunity to market its higher-end products, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve, to this younger demographic, enhancing customer loyalty.
- Future Outlook: While the specific financial details of JPMorgan Chase's acquisition of the Apple Card business remain unclear, this partnership is expected to bring a substantial number of new customers to Chase, potentially invigorating its stock and boosting market confidence in its growth prospects.
See More
