On Tuesday, BofA Securities analysts upgraded Banco Bilbao (NYSE:BBVA) Vizcaya Argentaria SA (BBVA:SM) (NYSE: BME:BBVA) stock rating from Neutral to Buy, setting a new price target of EUR13.00, up from the previous EUR11.35.
The upgrade is part of BofA Securities' selection of '25 stocks for 2025', and BBVA has also been added to their Europe 1 list, which comprises the firm's top investment ideas.
With a market capitalization of $57.5 billion and trading at an attractive P/E ratio of 6.5x, BBVA has caught the attention of value investors. According to InvestingPro analysis, the stock is currently trading near its Fair Value.
Analysts at BofA Securities highlight BBVA's high-quality franchise and sustainable revenue streams, attributing these to the bank's dominant market positions and pricing power. These characteristics are seen as driving factors for BBVA's return on tangible equity (ROTE) premium compared to its peers, particularly in markets such as Mexico, Türkiye, and Spain.
The potential acquisition of Sabadell is also noted as a positive influence on the bank's performance. InvestingPro data reveals BBVA's impressive financial health score of "GREAT" and its consistent dividend payments for 34 consecutive years, with a current yield of 4.83%.
Despite BBVA's approximate 19% ROTE, which outperforms its peers, the bank's shares have been trading at a significant discount. BofA Securities' analysts believe this presents a valuable opportunity for investors, with an estimated 30% potential upside to the bank's stock.
This optimism is supported by BBVA's strong financial performance, with revenue growth of 12.6% and a impressive one-year total return of 23.2%. For deeper insights into BBVA's valuation and growth prospects, investors can access comprehensive analysis and additional ProTips through InvestingPro's detailed research reports.
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA's positioning is further solidified by the potential deal with Sabadell, which, if completed, could further enhance BBVA's market presence and financial performance. The upgrade comes as a strong endorsement of BBVA's business model and its ability to generate value for shareholders.
Investors may see this upgrade as a positive signal for BBVA's stock performance on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), where it is listed alongside its primary listing on the Madrid Stock Exchange (SM). The new price target of EUR13.00 reflects the analysts' confidence in the bank's future growth and profitability.
In other recent news, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (BBVA) announced a 26% year-over-year increase in their Q3 2024 net attributable profit, reaching €2.627 billion. Their earnings per share also rose by 32% to €0.44, and an interim dividend of €0.29 per share was declared, marking an 81% increase from the previous year. These developments come in the wake of strong loan growth in Spain and Mexico, and a significant €71 billion investment into sustainable business.
BBVA's CEO Onur Genc and CFO Luisa Gomez Bravo provided insights into the company's financial health and future expectations. They highlighted the bank's resilience and growth strategy across various markets, expressing optimism for 2025 with projections of stable loan growth and effective risk management. The bank is also anticipating robust lending growth in Mexico and potential improvement in Turkey's cost of risk.
However, the company also acknowledged an increase in the cost of risk in Turkey, particularly within retail portfolios. In Mexico, the cost of risk rose to €343 million due to macroeconomic adjustments. Despite these challenges, BBVA maintains its commitment to creating stakeholder value amidst changing economic conditions.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.