Bank of America posts record trading revenue as M&A wave fuels Q2 profit surge

Equity trading revenue hit a record $3.6bn, up 70% year-on-year, driving a 27% jump in net income to $9.1bn and beating market expectations.

By Handelsavisen Newsroom · Automated 2026-07-16 15:14 UTC · 1 min read Last updated: 2026-07-16 19:52 UTC

Bank of America reported second-quarter net income of $9.1 billion, a 27% increase from the same period last year, surpassing market expectations.

The results, released on Tuesday, highlight the lender's ability to maintain pricing power and capitalize on heightened market activity despite a complex macroeconomic backdrop.

This figure represents a 70% surge year-on-year, driven by a significant wave of mergers and acquisitions that fueled client activity.

The standout performer was the equity trading division, which generated a record $3.6 billion in revenue during the quarter.

This figure represents a 70% surge year-on-year, driven by a significant wave of mergers and acquisitions that fueled client activity.

The trading desk's performance significantly outpaced broader industry trends, underscoring the bank's dominance in capital markets.

The strong earnings print reflects a broader resurgence in deal-making activity, which has provided a tailwind for investment banking revenues across major US lenders.