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On Tuesday, Raymond (NSE:RYMD) James expressed confidence in Charles Schwab Corp (BVMF:SCHW34). (NYSE: SCHW), raising the financial services firm's price target from $86.00 to $88.00, while retaining an Outperform rating. The adjustment comes after the company's fourth-quarter 2024 results, which painted an optimistic picture for the upcoming year. InvestingPro data reveals that 16 analysts have recently revised their earnings estimates upward, with the stock currently trading at $78.75, showing potential upside according to InvestingPro's Fair Value model.
The firm's initial outlook for 2025 suggests potential upward revisions to both Raymond James' and consensus earnings per share (EPS) estimates. Analysts at Raymond James highlighted that Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW) is on track for robust revenue growth and is expected to maintain its expense discipline. With an impressive gross profit margin of 96.78% and a solid financial health score of "GOOD" according to InvestingPro, the company appears well-positioned. A key factor contributing to the positive forecast is the anticipated paydown of Schwab Bank's high-cost funding by the end of 2025, which is likely to result in a significant boost to the net interest margin and EPS.
The financial institution also appears to be overcoming integration challenges following its acquisition of TD Ameritrade, as indicated by encouraging trends in net new asset and account growth. These improvements signal that past headwinds are diminishing, setting the stage for a more favorable future performance.
Analysts at Raymond James believe that these factors combined will pave the way for substantial EPS growth in 2025. They also suggest that there is still room for the stock's valuation to rise, considering its current price-to-earnings ratio of approximately 15 times the projected 2026 EPS. The upgraded price target reflects these expectations and underscores the firm's confidence in Charles Schwab's financial trajectory.
In other recent news, Charles Schwab Corporation has been making significant strides in its financial performance, with its fourth-quarter earnings exceeding expectations due to an increase in net interest income and higher trading revenues. The company's gross profit margin stands at an impressive 96.78%, with $18.74 billion in revenue over the last twelve months. Raymond James has maintained an Outperform rating and raised the price target to $86, while Truist Securities has initiated coverage with a Buy rating and an $85 price target, both indicating confidence in Schwab's growth potential.
Barclays (LON:BARC) upgraded the company's stock from Equal Weight to Overweight, raising the price target to $95. On the mergers and acquisitions front, Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD), Schwab's largest shareholder, is reviewing its 10% stake in the company following a U.S. money-laundering scandal, but the bank's agreement with Schwab regarding sweep-deposit accounts for clients will continue.
These are among the recent developments that showcase Charles Schwab's financial progress and potential. The company's management team has forecasted a revenue increase of 13-15% for the year 2025, translating to approximately $22.3-22.4 billion. This projection is slightly above consensus estimates and around 1% higher than the figures anticipated by Visible Alpha. Schwab's banking division, Schwab Bank, also demonstrated positive momentum with deposit levels showing sequential growth, which accelerated as the year came to a close. This growth in deposits is seen as a positive sign for the bank's financial health and ability to generate revenue from interest-earning assets.
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