** Wells Fargo's WFC.N profit beat expectations in the fourth quarter, powered by a rebound in dealmaking activity and forecast it would earn more from interest payments this year

** Median PT of 25 brokerages covering the stock is $82 - LSEG

AN ASSET CAP LIFT COULD BE THE NEXT BIG THING

** Piper Sandler ("neutral," PT: $77) says, "the story no longer seems about correcting past mistakes as much as it does about growing and competing on offense"** The next big thing for WFC could be an asset cap lift under a friendlier regulatory backdrop, Piper Sandler adds

** Morgan Stanley ("overweight," PT: $88) says WFC is modestly asset sensitive, so higher for longer interest rates is a positive** Adds that the asset cap removal remains a catalyst

** Barclays ("overweight," PT: $92) views WFC's 2025 Net Interest Income (NII) outlook as better than expected and that it stands to benefit a lot from higher interest rates** Adds that the eventual lifting of regulatory restrictions also represents a potential catalyst

** J.P.Morgan ("neutral," PT: $73) says, "key is when the asset cap will be lifted", as it can drive sharp growth in wholesale deposits and funding with further growth in trading assets, investment securities, and liquidity ** JPM also expects trading revenues to grow further as investment banking continues to grow sharply

(Reporting by Joel Jose in Bengaluru)

((joeljose@thomsonreuters.com))