LM Advisors LLC Takes $3.16 Million Position in Bank of America Corporation $BAC

LM Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 55,337 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $3,158,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the business. Total Clarity Wealth Management Inc. grew its stake in Bank of America by 3.6% in the 2nd quarter. Total Clarity Wealth Management Inc. now owns 4,889 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $279,000 after purchasing an additional 168 shares during the period. Orca Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Bank of America by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter. Orca Wealth Management LLC now owns 35,087 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,999,000 after purchasing an additional 179 shares during the period. Financial Consulate Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 4.0% in the 2nd quarter. Financial Consulate Inc. now owns 4,741 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $270,000 after buying an additional 181 shares during the last quarter. Money Concepts Capital Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 3.8% in the 4th quarter. Money Concepts Capital Corp now owns 4,964 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $273,000 after buying an additional 182 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Operose Advisors LLC grew its position in Bank of America by 0.9% during the fourth quarter. Operose Advisors LLC now owns 20,409 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,123,000 after buying an additional 185 shares during the period. 70.71% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Key Headlines Impacting Bank of America

Here are the key news stories impacting Bank of America this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Bank of America’s analysts continue to favor value stocks, arguing they are well positioned in an environment of higher interest rates and inflation. This supports the broader investment case for BAC, which trades at a relatively moderate earnings multiple and could benefit from durable net interest income. Stick with value stocks until everyone is talking about them
• Positive Sentiment: BofA Global Research says Federal Reserve corporate-credit facilities remain available to limit downside risks in a debt-heavy artificial-intelligence investment cycle. A continued backstop could reduce systemic credit concerns that might otherwise pressure large banks. The debt-fueled AI build-out may already be too big to fail
• Neutral Sentiment: Strategist Michael Hartnett remains bullish on gold, citing concerns about U.S. government debt and currency debasement. The view may support trading and advisory activity at BAC, although it is not a direct change to the bank’s earnings outlook. Why Bank of America strategist Michael Hartnett says the trade is still long gold
• Neutral Sentiment: Bank of America disclosed several changes to indirect equity holdings through Merrill Lynch, including a stake above 10% in Lakefront Biotherapeutics and a reduced position in Hidropar. These appear to be portfolio or client-related transactions rather than a material strategic investment in BAC’s own business. Bank of America builds 10% stake in Lakefront Biotherapeutics
• Negative Sentiment: Bank of America reportedly spends at least $250 million annually on GLP-1 weight-loss drugs for employees. Management views the benefit as an investment in worker health, but the significant recurring expense could weigh on operating costs if it does not produce measurable savings in health-care claims or employee retention. Bank of America is spending $250 million a year on weight loss drugs for employees

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently issued reports on BAC. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $67.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Bank of America in a research note on Tuesday, July 21st. Daiwa Securities Group increased their target price on shares of Bank of America from $58.00 to $61.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Bank of America from $62.50 to $68.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 29th. Finally, Argus set a $70.00 price target on shares of Bank of America in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. Twenty-one analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Bank of America currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $64.08.

Bank of America Stock Up 0.3%

BAC stock opened at $62.50 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $60.84 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $54.78. Bank of America Corporation has a twelve month low of $46.12 and a twelve month high of $65.22. The firm has a market capitalization of $437.04 billion, a PE ratio of 14.33, a PEG ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 1.17. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23.

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.13 by $0.08. Bank of America had a net margin of 17.56% and a return on equity of 12.20%. The firm had revenue of $31.56 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $30.78 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.89 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 19.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that Bank of America Corporation will post 4.68 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bank of America Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 25th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 4th will be paid a $0.32 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 4th. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.0%. This is a boost from Bank of America’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.28. Bank of America’s dividend payout ratio is currently 25.69%.

Bank of America Profile

Bank of America Corporation is a multinational financial services company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. It provides a broad array of banking, investment, asset management and related financial and risk management products and services to individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses, large corporations, governments and institutional investors. The firm operates through consumer banking, global wealth and investment management, global banking and markets businesses, offering capabilities across lending, deposits, payments, advisory and capital markets.

Its consumer-facing offerings include checking and savings accounts, mortgages, home equity lending, auto loans, credit cards and small business banking, supported by a nationwide branch network and digital channels.