Bank Stocks (BAC, GS, SOFI) Decline Amid Tariff Impact

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Mar 04, 2025
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Bank stocks experienced notable declines today due to the imposition of new tariffs by President Trump on Canada, Mexico, and China. Among the affected stocks was Bank of America (BAC, Financial), which fell by 5.98% to a current price of $42.84. This widespread decline in the financial sector reflects investor concerns over the broader economic impacts of the tariffs.

Bank of America (BAC, Financial), one of America's largest financial institutions, is grappling with various challenges, including the potential economic slowdown caused by these tariffs. Despite this, Bank of America exhibits robust long-term performance indicators. It holds a Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio of 13.3, indicating reasonable valuation, and its Price-to-Book (P/B) ratio stands at 1.2, suggesting that the stock is trading near its book value.

According to the GF Value assessment, Bank of America is currently considered fairly valued with a GF score of 79. However, the company faces financial strength issues, reflected in its low Piotroski F-Score of 3, indicating some operational challenges. On the positive side, the Beneish M-Score of -2.4 suggests the company is unlikely to be manipulating its financial statements.

In terms of growth, Bank of America has shown consistent revenue growth over the years. The stock's revenue per share has seen a steady increase, which is a positive sign for long-term investors. Additionally, the company's cash flow from operations has been stable, despite a temporary decline. The bank's dividend growth over the past five years is notable at 8.7%, reinforcing its commitment to returning value to shareholders.

Strategically, Bank of America's consumer-facing operations dominate its portfolio, encompassing retail lending, credit, and debit cards, complemented by its wealth and investment management services under the Merrill Lynch brand. These diversified operations provide a balanced revenue stream and offer some resilience against economic fluctuations.

Investors should remain cautious, considering the looming economic uncertainties and their potential impacts on the banking sector. However, with a forward-looking approach and continuous monitoring of economic indicators, Bank of America (BAC, Financial) remains a stock worth watching, especially as the global economic landscape evolves.

Disclosures

I/We may personally own shares in some of the companies mentioned above. However, those positions are not material to either the company or to my/our portfolios.