On Wednesday, JPMorgan made a strategic change to its rating on M&T Bank (NYSE:MTB), moving it from Overweight to Neutral. This adjustment comes despite the firm setting a higher price target for the bank's stock, now at $223.50, up from the previous $215.00. The revision reflects a cautious stance towards M&T Bank's future performance in the market.
The bank's earnings outlook is acknowledged as solid by JPMorgan, with a significant anticipated benefit in 2025 stemming from the expiration of receive fixed swaps. This event is expected to substantially boost the bank's net interest income (NII). However, concerns were raised over M&T Bank's exposure to office commercial real estate (CRE) and its relatively lower loan loss reserves, which could present challenges.
M&T Bank's stock has demonstrated a strong performance year-to-date (YTD), outshining other regional banks within JPMorgan's coverage by a notable 21%. This has led to an increase in the bank's valuation, which now sits slightly above the historical average premium compared to its peers. Given this outperformance and the adjusted valuation, JPMorgan has decided to adopt a more neutral position, citing an absence of clear catalysts that would drive continued outperformance of M&T Bank's shares.
JPMorgan's new price target of $223.50 reflects a modest increase from the prior target and suggests that while the bank's stock may not offer the same growth potential as before, it still holds value. The revised target is indicative of a belief in the bank's stable earnings prospects, despite the potential headwinds identified.
Investors and market watchers will likely monitor M&T Bank's performance closely, especially in relation to its office CRE exposure and loan loss reserves, to see if the financial institution can navigate the challenges ahead and maintain its solid earnings trajectory as anticipated by JPMorgan.
In other recent news, M&T Bank has seen a variety of significant financial developments. The bank reported a 10% increase in Q3 net income, reaching $721 million, and saw its diluted GAAP earnings per share rise to $4.02. These results were accompanied by an improved CET1 ratio of 11.54%, and an increase in average loans to $134.8 billion.
Piper Sandler increased its price target on M&T Bank shares, maintaining an Overweight rating. Citi has downgraded the stock from Buy to Neutral, but increased the price target to $230. DA Davidson maintained a neutral stance, while raising its target to $207. RBC Capital Markets lifted its target to $208 and maintained an outperform rating.
Looking ahead, M&T Bank projects a fourth-quarter taxable equivalent net interest income of at least $1.73 billion, loan growth reaching approximately $136 billion, and total deposits expected to reach at least $160 billion.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.