BUZZ-Street View: JPMorgan's story remains 'best in class' across banking sector

** JPMorgan Chase's JPM.N annual profit rose to a record as its dealmakers and traders reaped a windfall from rebounding markets in the fourth quarter, it reported on Wednesday

** Avg rating of 23 brokerages covering the stock is "buy", median PT is $263.50 - LSEG

FUNDAMENTALS REMAIN ROBUST

** Barclays ("overweight," PT: $330) sees the greatest source of potential earnings upside being driven by higher loan growth and capital markets

** KBW ("market perform," PT: $264) says "JPM continues to demonstrate that it is a best-in-class name; however, its stock outperformance historically occurs in a risk-off environment when it can more attractively deploy capital"

** Piper Sandler ("overweight," PT: $275) says JPM is well positioned to benefit from the current environment due to its rate sensitivity, strong investment banking (IB) positioning, and terrific capital and liquidity profiles, especially as regulatory conditions are expected to ease

** "Looking ahead, the story remains on very firm ground," Piper Sandler says

** Morningstar (fair value: $178) says the macroeconomic parameters look robust, thereby improving the outlook for loan growth and credit costs

(Reporting by Joel Jose in Bengaluru)

((joeljose@thomsonreuters.com))