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On Wednesday, DA Davidson adjusted its price target for Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL), reducing it from $110.00 to $106.00, while continuing to endorse the stock with a Buy rating. The bank, currently valued at $9.69 billion, trades at a P/E ratio of 13.26, which InvestingPro analysis indicates is high relative to its near-term earnings growth potential. The firm’s analysis pointed to Western Alliance’s stock performance on Tuesday, which did not meet market expectations, largely due to higher than usual nonperforming assets (NPAs). This resulted in a provision for credit losses of $60 million, which was above the normal trend.
The firm noted that the rise in NPAs and classified loans might weigh on the stock for some time, as investors might adopt a cautious stance. Despite these concerns, the company maintains strong fundamentals with 17.96% revenue growth and remains profitable over the last twelve months. Market participants could prefer to observe whether the management’s forecast for a positive turnaround in the coming quarters materializes before making further investment decisions.
Despite the near-term concerns, DA Davidson remains optimistic about Western Alliance’s long-term prospects. InvestingPro subscribers can access detailed analysis including 8 additional key insights and a comprehensive Pro Research Report, providing deeper understanding of the company’s financial health and growth potential. The research firm anticipates a positive earnings per share (EPS) trajectory throughout the year and maintains that its 2025 EPS estimate of $8.70, which has not been altered, sits at the lower end of the company’s implied guidance range.
The report concluded by reiterating the Buy rating on Western Alliance stock, albeit with a revised price target. According to InvestingPro’s Fair Value analysis, the stock appears undervalued at current levels, with analysts forecasting EPS of $9.49 for FY2025. The new target reflects a slight adjustment in expectations, acknowledging the current challenges while still recognizing the potential for growth in the bank’s financial performance over the upcoming quarters.
In other recent news, Western Alliance Bancorporation reported solid financial results, outperforming analyst expectations. The bank posted earnings per share of $1.95, surpassing the consensus forecast of $1.91. Revenue was also robust, coming in at $838.4 million, exceeding the projected $805.14 million. The company’s net income for the quarter was $216.9 million, marking a 46.7% increase from the same period last year, propelled by a rise in both net interest income and non-interest income.
DA Davidson continues to maintain a Buy rating on Western Alliance, with a price target of $110, indicating their confidence in the bank’s strategic direction and financial health. The bank’s recent guidance for 2025 projects over $5 billion in loan growth, more than $8 billion in deposit growth, and revenue growth ranging from 6% to 8%. Despite a $171 million increase in non-performing assets in the previous quarter, DA Davidson’s analysis suggests that the bank’s strong earnings per share growth forecast and other positive indicators support the maintained Buy rating and price target.
These recent developments underscore Western Alliance’s continued growth and profitability trajectory, which is further enhanced by the bank’s consistent track record of raising its dividend for six consecutive years.
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