{"id":60921,"date":"2026-04-15T07:38:22","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T11:38:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/trump-threatens-fed-chair-powell-as-morgan-stanley-and-bank-of-america-beat-q1-estimates\/60921\/"},"modified":"2026-04-15T07:38:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T11:38:22","slug":"trump-threatens-fed-chair-powell-as-morgan-stanley-and-bank-of-america-beat-q1-estimates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/trump-threatens-fed-chair-powell-as-morgan-stanley-and-bank-of-america-beat-q1-estimates\/60921\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump Threatens Fed Chair Powell as Morgan Stanley and Bank of America Beat Q1 Estimates"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/trump-threatens-fed-chair-powell-as-morgan-stanley-and-bank-of-america-beat-q1-estimates\/60921\/#Key_Takeaways\" >Key Takeaways<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/trump-threatens-fed-chair-powell-as-morgan-stanley-and-bank-of-america-beat-q1-estimates\/60921\/#Banking_Giants_Outperform_Estimates_in_Q1\" >Banking Giants Outperform Estimates in Q1<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/trump-threatens-fed-chair-powell-as-morgan-stanley-and-bank-of-america-beat-q1-estimates\/60921\/#Trump_Signals_Federal_Reserve_Overhaul\" >Trump Signals Federal Reserve Overhaul<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/trump-threatens-fed-chair-powell-as-morgan-stanley-and-bank-of-america-beat-q1-estimates\/60921\/#Geopolitical_Shifts_Impact_Oil_Markets\" >Geopolitical Shifts Impact Oil Markets<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/trump-threatens-fed-chair-powell-as-morgan-stanley-and-bank-of-america-beat-q1-estimates\/60921\/#Tech_and_Corporate_Restructuring\" >Tech and Corporate Restructuring<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/trump-threatens-fed-chair-powell-as-morgan-stanley-and-bank-of-america-beat-q1-estimates\/60921\/#Housing_Market_and_Trade_Developments\" >Housing Market and Trade Developments<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Takeaways\"><\/span>Key Takeaways<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Morgan Stanley (<a href=\"\/stock\/MS\">MS<\/a>) and Bank of America (<a href=\"\/stock\/BAC\">BAC<\/a>) both posted significant Q1 revenue beats<\/strong>, with Morgan Stanley reporting <strong>$20.6 billion<\/strong> against estimates of $19.7 billion.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Donald <a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/live\/trump-stock-market\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"8\" title=\"Trump\">Trump<\/a> intensified his rhetoric against the Federal Reserve<\/strong>, stating he would <strong>fire Chair Jerome Powell<\/strong> if he does not resign and pushing for the immediate confirmation of <strong>Kevin Warsh<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Geopolitical tensions showed signs of a potential breakthrough<\/strong> as <a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/live\/trump-stock-market\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"8\" title=\"Trump\">Trump<\/a> claimed an <strong>Iran deal is imminent<\/strong>, causing <strong>Front Brent crude to plunge 15%<\/strong> on ceasefire reports.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Snap Inc. (<a href=\"\/stock\/SNAP\">SNAP<\/a>) is laying off 16% of its workforce<\/strong> as the social media firm pivots its resources toward <strong>Artificial Intelligence (AI)<\/strong> development.<\/li>\n<li><strong>US mortgage demand improved<\/strong> as the <strong>30-year mortgage rate fell to 6.42%<\/strong>, driving a <strong>1.8% increase<\/strong> in MBA Mortgage Applications.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Banking_Giants_Outperform_Estimates_in_Q1\"><\/span>Banking Giants Outperform Estimates in Q1<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Morgan Stanley (<a href=\"\/stock\/MS\">MS<\/a>) kicked off the earnings session with a strong <strong>Q1 Net Income of $5.6 billion<\/strong> and an <strong>EPS of $3.43<\/strong>. The bank&#39;s <strong>$20.6 billion in revenue<\/strong> comfortably beat the <strong>$19.72 billion analyst estimate<\/strong>, bolstered by robust performance in <strong>Equities Sales &amp; Trading ($5.15 billion)<\/strong> and <strong>Wealth Management ($8.52 billion)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Bank of America (<a href=\"\/stock\/BAC\">BAC<\/a>) also exceeded expectations, reporting <strong>Q1 revenue of $30.3 billion<\/strong> compared to the <strong>$28.6 billion forecast<\/strong>. The bank saw its <strong>Net Interest Income (NII) grow 9% year-over-year to $15.75 billion<\/strong>, while <strong>Equities Trading revenue<\/strong> reached <strong>$2.83 billion<\/strong>, beating the $2.51 billion estimate.<\/p>\n<p>In a separate move within the sector, BofA Global Research removed Wells Fargo (<a href=\"\/stock\/WFC\">WFC<\/a>) from its <strong>US 1 List<\/strong>, signaling a shift in analyst conviction regarding the bank&#39;s near-term upside.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Trump_Signals_Federal_Reserve_Overhaul\"><\/span>Trump Signals Federal Reserve Overhaul<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In an interview with Fox Business, Donald Trump stated he would <strong>fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell<\/strong> if the Chair does not voluntarily resign. Trump expressed strong support for <strong>Kevin Warsh<\/strong>, stating he hopes Warsh is <strong>confirmed next week<\/strong> and predicting that <strong>interest rates will go lower<\/strong> once Warsh is in place.<\/p>\n<p>Trump also addressed the ongoing probe into the Federal Reserve, emphasizing the need to &quot;show the incompetence&quot; of current leadership. Despite his criticisms of the Fed, Trump noted that <strong>AI could lead to &quot;greatness&quot;<\/strong> within the banking system, though he dismissed the &quot;anthropic threat&quot; as a non-systemic issue.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Geopolitical_Shifts_Impact_Oil_Markets\"><\/span>Geopolitical Shifts Impact Oil Markets<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The energy market experienced high volatility following Trump\u2019s comments that <strong>Iran is about to reach an agreement<\/strong> and that the &quot;war is nearly over.&quot; <strong>Front Brent crude prices fell 15%<\/strong> on the news of a potential ceasefire, although <strong>Dated Brent<\/strong> remained stable as physical markets continue to show signs of tightening.<\/p>\n<p>Iran\u2019s Foreign Ministry confirmed that an <strong>exchange of messages with the US<\/strong> continues through Pakistan. However, friction remains as Iran reportedly <strong>dismissed the IMO\u2019s plan<\/strong> for a safe shipping channel, even as Trump suggested the <strong>Strait of Hormuz<\/strong> is &quot;opening up.&quot;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tech_and_Corporate_Restructuring\"><\/span>Tech and Corporate Restructuring<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Snap Inc. (<a href=\"\/stock\/SNAP\">SNAP<\/a>) announced it is cutting <strong>16% of its staff<\/strong> to streamline operations and focus on <strong>AI initiatives<\/strong>. This move follows a broader trend of tech companies reallocating capital toward generative technologies to drive future growth.<\/p>\n<p>In the aviation sector, Lufthansa (<a href=\"\/stock\/DLAKY\">DLAKY<\/a>) announced it is open to <strong>comprehensive arbitration<\/strong> with its pilots&#39; union. The airline aims to reach a lasting resolution on collective bargaining issues to avoid further operational disruptions.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Housing_Market_and_Trade_Developments\"><\/span>Housing Market and Trade Developments<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>US housing data showed a slight recovery as <strong>MBA Mortgage Applications rose 1.8%<\/strong> for the week ending April 10. The <strong>30-year fixed mortgage rate<\/strong> decreased to <strong>6.42%<\/strong> from 6.51%, providing some relief to prospective homebuyers.<\/p>\n<p>On the international trade front, the chair of the EU Parliament International Trade Committee announced that the <strong>EU-Mercosur deal<\/strong> is set for <strong>provisional application starting May 1<\/strong>, marking a significant milestone for trans-Atlantic commerce.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways Morgan Stanley (MS) and Bank of America (BAC) both posted significant Q1 revenue beats, with Morgan Stanley reporting [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":50383,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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