On Wednesday, BofA Securities adjusted its outlook on Charles Schwab Corp (NYSE:SCHW), reducing the stock's price target to $66 from the previous $72, while maintaining an Underperform rating. The revision follows Charles Schwab's reported shortfall in deposit growth, which has led to increased supplemental funding and an unchanged net interest margin (NIM). NIM expansion is considered a key component of the positive case for the company's stock.
The financial services firm also revealed a strategic shift, indicating a move toward a hybrid bank model. This model will involve transferring excess deposits, those beyond what is needed for lending, to third-party banks. This change is expected to release capital for Charles Schwab but may also substantially decrease the potential for net interest income.
This strategic pivot represents a significant change from the company's previous focus on a bank-centric approach to monetization.
Charles Schwab's strategy now includes shortening asset durations, taking into account the current Federal funds rate of 5.25-5.50%. This adjustment comes after the firm extended asset durations when the Federal funds rate was near 0%. The update from BofA Securities reflects these recent strategic and operational developments at Charles Schwab.
The company's new approach to managing its assets and deposits is a departure from its longstanding practices. By collaborating with third-party banks, Charles Schwab aims to optimize its capital utilization, although this may affect its net interest income, which is a crucial revenue source for financial institutions.
The adjusted price target from BofA Securities takes into account the challenges and changes Charles Schwab faces in its business model. The Underperform rating suggests that the firm's stock may not perform as well as its peers or the broader market in the near term.
In other recent news, Charles Schwab Corporation has reported significant growth in its latest earnings call, with net new assets surpassing $150 billion and nearly 1 million new brokerage accounts established. The wealth business of Schwab also experienced a 56% year-over-year increase in net flows, now standing at $25 billion.
Despite these positive developments, the FDIC surcharge has impacted earnings, and earnings are expected to be flat from Q2 to Q3.
Deutsche Bank has reduced its price target for Charles Schwab to $79 from the previous $84, while still retaining a Buy rating on the stock. This adjustment follows management's comments indicating a return to normalcy in net new assets and a reaffirmation of growth expectations. Meanwhile, JPMorgan has revised its price target for Charles Schwab, lowering it to $78 from the previous $82, following the company's second-quarter 2024 earnings report.
The company's executives have outlined plans to enhance lending capabilities and client experience, expecting a rise in net interest margin to 3% by the end of 2025. Schwab also projects a return to robust revenue and earnings growth starting late 2024, with an anticipated annualized growth in net new assets between 5% to 7%.
These are among the recent developments at Charles Schwab Corporation.
InvestingPro Insights
In light of BofA Securities' reevaluation of Charles Schwab Corp (NYSE:SCHW), recent data from InvestingPro provides additional context. The company's Market Cap stands robust at $123.27 billion, and despite recent volatility, Charles Schwab has maintained dividend payments for 36 consecutive years, underscoring its commitment to shareholder returns. The P/E Ratio is currently 31.28, reflecting market sentiment and profitability expectations. Notably, the company's Gross Profit Margin remains impressively high at 96.71% for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, demonstrating strong operational efficiency.
InvestingPro Tips suggest the stock has experienced a significant downturn over the past week, yet analysts remain optimistic about the company's profitability this year. Additionally, there are more insights to be discovered on InvestingPro, with a total of 5 additional tips available to provide a deeper understanding of Charles Schwab's financial health and future prospects. For readers interested in these exclusive insights, consider using the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription at InvestingPro.
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