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On Wednesday, Piper Sandler analysts raised the price target for Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) stock to $85 from $75, maintaining a Neutral rating. Currently trading at $75.65 with a market capitalization of $246 billion, the stock has shown strong momentum with a 32% return over the past year. This change follows the Federal Reserve’s announcement that Wells Fargo is no longer under the asset cap imposed in 2018. This regulatory cap had significant implications for the bank, prompting a complete overhaul of its senior management, board of directors, and operational procedures.
The lifting of the asset cap indicates that Wells Fargo has met all necessary requirements, including enhancements to its governance and risk management programs. These improvements were verified through a third-party review and the Federal Reserve’s own assessments. InvestingPro data shows the bank trades at an attractive P/E ratio of 13.4x and has maintained dividend payments for 55 consecutive years, demonstrating long-term stability. Although the 2018 consent order remains in place, there is speculation that it may soon be removed.
The decision by the Federal Reserve marks a significant milestone for Wells Fargo, as anticipation had been building with the resolution of other consent orders. Piper Sandler analysts noted that this development represents a victory for Wells Fargo, which has been working towards this outcome for several years.
While the price target has been increased, the Neutral rating by Piper Sandler analysts suggests they are maintaining a cautious outlook on the stock’s potential performance. According to InvestingPro analysis, Wells Fargo appears undervalued based on its Fair Value calculation, with analyst targets ranging from $65 to $90. The market will be closely watching how Wells Fargo navigates the post-cap environment and continues to implement its strategic initiatives. For deeper insights into Wells Fargo’s valuation and 8 additional ProTips, including management’s aggressive share buybacks, check out the comprehensive Pro Research Report available on InvestingPro.
In other recent news, Wells Fargo has seen significant developments that could impact its financial outlook. Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) raised its price target for Wells Fargo to $87, citing expectations of accelerated loan and deposit growth and reduced expenses. The firm projects an increase in earnings per share (EPS) in the coming years, with a notable rise to $8.13 by 2027. Similarly, BofA Securities increased its price target to $90, maintaining a Buy rating, as they anticipate improvements in Wells Fargo’s valuation and fundamental prospects following the removal of the asset cap.
Barclays (LON:BARC) also reaffirmed its Overweight rating on Wells Fargo, maintaining a price target of $87, expecting positive impacts on EPS through increased commercial deposits and loans. Meanwhile, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised its price target to $80, noting the significance of the asset cap removal, which highlights Wells Fargo’s efforts to improve its controls and risk management. Despite these positive outlooks, JPMorgan maintained a Neutral rating with a $73.50 price target, acknowledging the asset cap lift but emphasizing the need for strong risk management as trading and investment banking become growth areas. These recent developments suggest a period of transformation and potential growth for Wells Fargo, driven by strategic initiatives and regulatory changes.
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