HSBC started coverage on shares of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) in a research note issued to investors on Monday. The firm issued a buy rating and a $108.00 price target on the financial services provider’s stock.
A number of other equities research analysts have also issued reports on WFC. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research report on Friday, July 17th. Bank of America upped their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $95.00 to $102.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed a “market perform” rating on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $97.00 to $102.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, June 29th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $98.00 to $94.00 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $99.86.
Wells Fargo & Company Stock Performance
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.73 by $0.23. Wells Fargo & Company had a return on equity of 13.85% and a net margin of 17.55%.The firm had revenue of $22.62 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.86 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.60 earnings per share. Wells Fargo & Company’s revenue was up 8.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Wells Fargo & Company will post 7.23 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Wells Fargo & Company Increases Dividend
The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Investors of record on Friday, August 7th were issued a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.5%. This is a positive change from Wells Fargo & Company’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 7th. Wells Fargo & Company’s dividend payout ratio is currently 29.07%.
Institutional Inflows and Outflows
Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Capital Research Global Investors grew its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 4.9% during the fourth quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 37,421,387 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $3,487,687,000 after purchasing an additional 1,760,484 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC boosted its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 13.0% in the 4th quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 20,625,070 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,922,257,000 after purchasing an additional 2,369,260 shares during the period. Legal & General Group Plc purchased a new position in Wells Fargo & Company during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,635,881,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp purchased a new position in Wells Fargo & Company during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,364,923,000. Finally, Amundi increased its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 73.0% during the first quarter. Amundi now owns 16,463,550 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,310,663,000 after buying an additional 6,944,316 shares during the period. 75.90% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
About Wells Fargo & Company
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a diversified financial services company that provides banking, lending, investment, and wealth management services to individuals, businesses, institutions, and government entities. Its offerings include checking and savings accounts, credit cards, personal and commercial loans, mortgages, payment services, and other deposit and credit products.
The company also provides investment banking, capital markets, brokerage, advisory, asset management, and retirement services through its corporate and investment banking and wealth and investment management businesses.
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