BofA Securities began coverage of UBS AG (NYSE:UBS) with a Neutral rating and established a price target of $34.00. The firm's coverage notes that UBS presents a highly attractive proposition with a mix of relative headwinds and strong growth areas.
The expectation is for the company's earnings per share (EPS) to grow sequentially through to the year 2028.
The analysis acknowledges the potential for earnings expansion at UBS, but also points out that short-term uncertainties related to possible higher capital requirements could introduce regulatory risk.
This risk is expected to keep the stock's price action range-bound until the regulatory concerns are clarified, which is anticipated to happen by the first half of 2025.
UBS's current valuation is at 9.5 times its price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, with an adjusted return on CET1 capital (ROCET1) of 17% projected for 2028. Despite the potential for a 15% upside, BofA Securities has decided to maintain a Neutral stance on the stock until further clarity on the regulatory environment is provided.
The coverage touches upon the balance between the potential risks and growth opportunities for UBS. While the bank is poised for growth in earnings, the looming regulatory decisions could impact the stock's performance in the near term. As such, BofA Securities has set a price target that reflects this cautious optimism, pegging the potential at a 15% increase from the current level.
InvestingPro Insights
As investors consider the neutral stance from BofA Securities on UBS AG (NYSE:UBS), updated metrics from InvestingPro provide a deeper look into the company's current financial health. UBS's market capitalization stands at a robust $97.25 billion, reflecting its significant presence in the market. Despite a high earnings multiple, with a P/E ratio currently at 3.38, the adjusted P/E ratio for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024 is 13.55, indicating a more nuanced valuation when adjustments are accounted for.
Additionally, UBS has demonstrated a strong revenue growth of 38.37% over the last twelve months leading up to Q2 2024, which may align with BofA Securities' expectations for earnings expansion. The company's commitment to shareholder returns is also evident, as UBS has raised its dividend for three consecutive years and maintained dividend payments for 13 consecutive years. However, it's important to note the dividend growth has declined by 8.49% in the same period. Investors should also be aware that while UBS is a prominent player in the Capital Markets industry, it suffers from weak gross profit margins, which could be a factor in the cautious outlook presented by analysts.
For those seeking additional insights, there are more InvestingPro Tips available, which delve further into UBS's financial performance and projections. These tips can be found at: https://www.investing.com/pro/UBS.
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