What long-term trends can investors expect from FITB's EPS?

**Fifth Third Bancorp's (FITB) EPS is expected to show a general upward trend over the long term**, with some fluctuations due to market conditions and business strategies. Here's a detailed analysis:

1. **Current Performance and Future Estimates**:
- FITB's most recent reported EPS was $0.85 for Q4 2024.
- Analysts have estimated an EPS of $3.61 for FY2025, which is slightly lower than the previous year's estimate of $3.68. This indicates a slight short-term contraction, but still higher than the actual EPS of the previous year.
- For FY2026, the EPS is expected to rise to $4.06, showing a return to an upward trend.
2. **Historical Performance and Trends**:
- FITB has shown an overall increase in EPS from $0.76 in Q1 2024 to $0.85 in Q4 2024.
- The bank's net income has grown from $532 million in Q1 2024 to $582 million in Q4 2024, suggesting a general upward trend in profitability.
3. **Analyst Opinions and Price Targets**:
- Analysts have a bullish outlook with a "Moderate Buy" rating and an average price target of $47.52, indicating a potential upside of 40.8% from the current levels.
- Baird upgraded FITB from Neutral to Outperform, suggesting confidence in the bank's future performance.
4. **Challenges and Opportunities**:
- FITB faces challenges such as a decline in fee income and weak asset quality, which have impacted its performance.
- The bank's strategic investments in commercial payments and wealth management are expected to contribute positively to its performance.

In conclusion, while there may be some short-term fluctuations, the long-term trend for FITB's EPS is expected to be upward, driven by the bank's strategic initiatives and overall growth in net income. Investors can expect FITB's EPS to continue to rise, potentially reaching $4.06 by FY2026, supported by the optimistic analyst opinions and the bank's efforts to improve its performance.