JPMorgan sets aside more money for potential bad loans but says consumers are on 'solid footing'

NEW YORK (AP) — JPMorgan's net income fell 2% in the third quarter as the bank had to set aside more money to cover bad loans, but the results topped Wall Street estimates and shares rose in morning trading.

Net income fell to $12.9 billion from $13.2 billion in the year-ago quarter, the New York bank said Friday. However, earnings per share rose to $4.37 from $4.33 because there were fewer outstanding shares in the latest quarter. The result beat Wall Street analysts' forecasts, which called for a profit of $3.99 a share, according to FactSet. Total revenues rose to $43.3 billion from $40.7 billion a year ago.

JPMorgan set aside $3.1 billion to cover credit losses, up from $1.4 billion in the same period a year ago. Consumers' credit card debt has been on the rise due to the lingering impact of the bout of inflation that hit the U.S. economy starting in 2021 and delinquencies have been rising. But JPMorgan Chief Financial Officer said on a call with analysts that the consumer is "on solid footing."