U.S. Bancorp stock target raised by Oppenheimer

Published 17/10/2024, 13:16
U.S. Bancorp stock target raised by Oppenheimer

Oppenheimer has maintained its Outperform rating on U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB) and increased the price target to $59 from the previous $57.

The firm recognized U.S. Bancorp's consistent performance in delivering some of the industry's top returns, despite challenges in net interest income (NII) and operating leverage over the previous year.

U.S. Bancorp experienced a decline in NII for four consecutive quarters from the first quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024, with a total decrease of 14%. However, the trend reversed with a 0.9% quarter-over-quarter increase in NII in the second quarter of 2024, followed by an adjusted 1.7% quarter-over-quarter gain in the third quarter of 2024.

The bank's operating leverage was negative for five straight quarters. Nonetheless, after accounting for a securities portfolio restructuring loss of $119 million, operating leverage turned positive at 0.3% year-over-year. This shift marks a turnaround with two-quarters of NII growth and one-quarter of positive operating leverage.

The positive adjustments in U.S. Bancorp's financial performance have given Oppenheimer confidence in the bank's continued growth. The firm's analysis suggests that the recent improvements in NII and operating leverage are likely to persist, supporting the rationale behind the upgraded price target.

In other recent news, U.S. Bancorp has been the focus of several analyst notes. Oppenheimer increased its price target for the company to $59, citing positive trends in net interest income (NII) and operating leverage.

Similarly, Baird raised its price target to $54, acknowledging the bank's earnings boost from net interest margin expansion. RBC Capital Markets also lifted its price target to $53, highlighting U.S. Bancorp's growth prospects. Meanwhile, Stephens increased its price target to $52 on the back of strong Q3 results, and JP Morgan maintained a Neutral stance with a consistent price target of $48.

These adjustments followed U.S. Bancorp's recent earnings reports. In Q4 2023, the company posted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.03, surpassing the consensus estimate of $0.99. In Q3 2024, the company reported an EPS of $1.03 and total net revenue of $6.9 billion.

In terms of strategic developments, U.S. Bancorp has clarified that it is not considering large bank mergers and acquisitions at this time, focusing instead on organic growth, enhancing client relationships, and improving interconnectivity. The company also plans to initiate modest share buybacks in the near future.

Furthermore, U.S. Bancorp's annual investment of $2.5 billion in technology, including AI initiatives, and successful partnerships with State Farm and Edward Jones, are expected to drive future growth.

InvestingPro Insights

U.S. Bancorp's recent performance aligns with several key insights from InvestingPro. The bank's stock has shown significant momentum, with a 27.48% price total return over the past six months and a 47.69% return over the past year. This upward trend is reflected in Oppenheimer's increased price target and aligns with the InvestingPro Tip that USB is "Trading near 52-week high."

The bank's financial stability is underscored by its dividend history. An InvestingPro Tip highlights that U.S. Bancorp "Has maintained dividend payments for 54 consecutive years," demonstrating long-term shareholder value. Additionally, with a current dividend yield of 4.06%, the bank offers an attractive income proposition for investors.

Despite challenges in net interest income, U.S. Bancorp maintains a solid financial position. The bank's P/E ratio of 14.34 (adjusted for the last twelve months) suggests a reasonable valuation relative to earnings. Moreover, with a market capitalization of $76.79 billion, U.S. Bancorp remains a "Prominent player in the Banks industry," as noted in another InvestingPro Tip.

For investors seeking more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers additional insights, with 11 more tips available for U.S. Bancorp, providing a deeper understanding of the bank's financial health and market position.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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