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- HSBC upgraded U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB) to Buy from Hold, PNC Financial (NYSE:PNC) to Hold from Reduce and downgraded Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) to Hold from Buy, all based on valuation.
- Bank of America shares rose 37% in the past six months, "leaving limited implied upside to HSBC's target price" even as "there is a lot to like about Bank of America."
- With U.S. Bancorp (USB) stock underperforming universal banks and the market, year-to-date, HSBC sees a buying opportunity. The firm expects USB profitability to expand in 2025 and continue to generate "near best-in-class ROTCEs."
- The PNC upgrade "reflects a more attractive relative valuation after its year-to-date underperformance and the incorporation of a higher long-term ROE into its valuation framework," the analyst wrote in a note to clients.
- HSBC expects PNC's (PNC) net interest income growth to re-emerge in H2 2024.
- The Hold rating on Bank of America (BAC) aligns with the SA Quant rating. Meanwhile, the Hold rating on PNC (PNC) contrasts with the SA Quant rating of Strong Buy, and the Buy rating on U.S. Bancorp (USB) disagrees with the SA Quant rating of Hold.