Bank Of America Predicts Positive Stock Re-Rating For Wells Fargo After Asset Cap Removal

Bank Of America Securities analyst Ebrahim H. Poonawala raised the price target on Wells Fargo & Company WFC from $75 to $84 while reiterating a Buy rating.

A meeting with CEO Charlie Scharf and CFO Mike Santomassimo strengthened analysts’ belief that the bank is on track to achieve high-teens return on average tangible common equity (ROTCE).

Poonawala says that, in the discussion, it was clear that management is now prioritizing franchise efficiency, focusing on areas like cost control, client wallet share, and market share expansion, after dedicating a significant portion of their attention to regulatory issues in recent years.

The management is confident that each of their four business segments can achieve top-tier returns, targeting a ROTCE between 16% and 19%, adds the analyst.

Additionally, management emphasized substantial growth prospects throughout the franchise, not just in capital markets, wealth management, and cards, writes the analyst.

Despite the stock’s strong performance so far this quarter, the analyst believes the removal of the 2018 asset cap will serve as a catalyst, attracting a new group of investors and potentially driving a re-rating of the stock's valuation.

Poonawala anticipates the asset cap removal to occur in early 2025, following the significant efforts made by management to address regulatory issues, most notably the earlier removal of the 2016 OCC consent order.

Overall, the analyst raised the FY25/26 EPS estimates by 4% to $5.64 and $7, respectively, implying a ROTCE of 15%+ and 16%+ by 2026.

The analyst expect more upside potential, as consensus overestimates credit costs and underestimates fee growth.

Investors can gain access to the stock via First Trust Nasdaq Bank ETF FTXO and Invesco KBW Bank ETF KBWB.

Price Action: WFC shares are up 4.28% at $73.04 at the last check Monday.

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