Bank of America Option Alert: Jul 18 $42 Puts at the Bid: 2500 vs 4235 OI; Earnings 4/15 Before Open 

Bank of America Option Alert: Jul 18 $42 Puts at the Bid: 2500 @ $2.89 vs 4235 OI; Earnings 4/15 Before Open Ref=$41.095

Bank of America Option Alert: Jan, 2027 $55 Calls at the Bid: 3532 vs 17140 OI; Earnings 4/15 Before Open 

Bank of America Option Alert: Jan, 2027 $55 Calls at the Bid: 3532 @ $2.28 vs 17140 OI; Earnings 4/15 Before Open Ref=$43.225

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) Bolsa

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the largest financial institutions in the United States, with more than $3.2 trillion in assets. It is organized into four major segments: consumer banking, global wealth and investment management, global banking, and global markets. Bank of America's consumer-facing lines of business include its network of branches and deposit-gathering operations, retail lending products, credit and debit cards, and small-business services. The company's Merrill Lynch operations provide brokerage and wealth-management services, as does its private bank. Wholesale lines of business include investment banking, corporate and commercial real estate lending, and capital markets operations. Bank of America has operations in several countries but is primarily US-focused.

Beijing,-,May,4,,2021:,The,People's,Bank,Of,China(pboc)

Asia

Commodities

Markets

FGDL

Market Vectors ETF Trust Market Vectors Gold Miners

GDXJ

Las compras masivas de oro por parte del Banco Central de China están alterando las reservas globales y el equilibrio financiero mundial.

China dispara el precio del oro al comprar 5 toneladas más en marzo

A,Blurred,Silhouette,Of,A,Person,Is,Seen,In,The

SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust

PIPR

Una señal técnica clave apareció en el S&amp;P 500. ¿Podría significar una caída prolongada o un rebote inesperado?

Cruz de la Muerte lleva al S&amp;P 500 a zona de riesgo: esto dicen los analistas

Bolsa de Madrid

El selectivo español inicia la semana con fuerza. ¿Qué factores técnicos y globales podrían reforzar este impulso?

Futuros del Ibex 35 lideran subidas tras exenciones arancelarias y señales técnicas alcistas

Bank of America Corp

BERENSON ACQUISITION CORP I CL A

Berenson Acquisition Corp I Warrants (01/08/2026)

BANK OF CHINA LTD ORD by Bank of China, Ltd.

Bank Of China Ltd

BANK OF CHINA UNSP/ADR by Bank of China, Ltd.

IMAC Holdings Inc

Bleichroeder Acquisition Corp. I - Class A Ordinary Shares

Bleichroeder Acquisition Corp I

Bleichroeder Acquisition Corp. I - Right

BANK OF AMERICA 7.00B PFD by Bank of America Corp.

Bank of America Corporation Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of 6.000% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series GG

Bank of America Corporation Depositary Sh repstg 1/1000th Perp Pfd Ser E

Bank of America Corporation Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of 5.875% Non- Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series HH

Bank of America Corporation Non Cumulative Perpetual Conv Pfd Ser L

Bank of America Corporation Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of 5.375% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series KK

Bank of America Corporation Depositary shares, each representing 1/1,000th interest in a share of 5.000% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series LL

Bank of America Corporation Depositary shares, each representing 1/1,000th interest in a share of 4.375% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series NN

Bank of America Corporation Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of 4.125% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series PP

Bank of America Corporation Depositary shares, each representing 1/1,000th interest in a share of 4.250% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series QQ

Bank of America Corporation Depositary shares, each representing 1/1,000th interest in a share of 4.750% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series SS

Bank of America Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) traded higher by 3.79% to $38.32 at market close Tuesday, rebounding alongside broader markets following Monday's sharp sell-off. Investor sentiment improved as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/04/44930495/wall-street-rebounds-ahead-of-tesla-earnings-dow-adds-1000-points-bitcoin-hits-91000-whats-driving-markets-tuesday">potential easing</a> of geopolitical concerns helped lift major indices.
The S&amp;P 500 gained over 100 points late Tuesday, with all 11 S&amp;P 500 sectors in positive territory. Financials such as <a href="http://4 Bank Stocks To Buy As Earnings Soar">bank stocks</a> led the way, supported by optimism around balance sheet strength and a brief pullback in Treasury yields.
What Happened: Bank of America stock bounced back despite lingering caution tied to President Donald Trump's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44904179/wall-street-sinks-dollar-slides-as-trump-ramps-up-fed-attacks-whats-driving-markets-monday">renewed criticism</a> of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, which had pressured equities a day earlier.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44930518/sofi-expands-access-to-private-markets-whats-going-on">SoFi Expands Access to Private Markets: What&#8217;s Going On?</a>
Investors appear to be refocusing on the bank's recent <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44811593/bank-of-america-ceo-says-consumer-continues-to-spend-and-maintain-healthy-credit-quality-sticks-to-annual-outlook">first-quarter results</a>, which included $7.4 billion in net income and 90 cents earnings per share — topping Wall Street expectations.
At a JPMorgan event, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/04/44930495/wall-street-rebounds-ahead-of-tesla-earnings-dow-adds-1000-points-bitcoin-hits-91000-whats-driving-markets-tuesday">reportedly hinted</a> at a potential de-escalation in U.S.-China tensions, providing a further lift to risk assets.
While analysts continue to monitor rising credit provisions and macro risks, Tuesday's gains reflect confidence in Bank of America's fundamentals and broader market resilience amid an uncertain policy backdrop.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">How To Buy BAC Stock</h1>
Besides going to a brokerage platform to purchase a share — or fractional share — of stock, you can also gain access to shares either by buying an exchange traded fund (ETF) that holds the stock itself, or by allocating yourself to a strategy in your 401(k) that would seek to acquire shares in a mutual fund or other instrument.
For example, in Bank of America&#8217;s case, it is in the Financials sector. An ETF will likely hold shares in many liquid and large companies that help track that sector, allowing an investor to gain exposure to the trends within that segment.
According to data from&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>, BAC has a 52-week high of $48.08 and a 52-week low of $33.07.
Read Also: •&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/04/44933432/tesla-in-code-red-situation-as-analyst-flags-6-threats-tied-to-musks-government-role">Tesla In &#8216;Code Red Situation&#8217; As Analyst Flags 6 Threats Tied To Musk&#8217;s Government Role</a>
Photo: Shutterstock

News

What's Going On With Bank of America (BAC) Shares?

WIIM

BAFN

BBVA

CATY

EWBC

FCNCA

FITB

GGAL

HBCP

HSBC

INTR

SMBK

TBBK

WTFC

Shares of banking companies are trading higher amid Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's remarks about trade de-escalation with China.

Volatility and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/tariffs">tariffs</a> are still capturing headlines and sending markets into a tailspin.
For one group of stocks, that&#8217;s been an enormous boon. Last week&#8217;s big bank earnings showed how market volatility led to a surge in stock trading, which massively boosted revenues for some big banks.
Here are four banks set to weather this volatility through strong earnings, healthy dividends and robust fundamentals.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">JPMorgan Chase and Co.</h2>
The largest bank in the United States, JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>), reported earnings on April 11 and posted better-than-expected top and bottom-line results. Revenue came in at $46.01 billion, handily beating the consensus expectation of $44.11. Earnings per share were $5.07, a beat of $0.44 over the consensus estimate of $4.63 per share. Despite CEO Jamie Dimon's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/25/04/44717888/jpmorgan-jamie-dimon-warns-recession-now-likely-outcome">warnings</a> about the state of the broader economy, JPMorgan Chase's earnings showcased strength throughout numerous divisions, especially in equities trading. Trading revenue tallied $3.8 billion, up 48% from the previous quarter and exceeding estimates by more than $500 million.
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfYHIK2ui6lToVjJ2ZGw9zmAO-SnGCmvgF-4mFR0f9QksGW59JPJK2-6lLihKAQGxDOsP7pgYVVQaDGN7ZIrAUAjUr0ZrwfNGd9sji0HIl2jcbZGu_Or7Uxof8FwkpcGy2_KeicnQ?key=9zg1RvXLtlcToUFhHP-r9JNo" alt="" /></figure>
JPM&#8217;s underlying strength boosts these strong earnings figures. The stock has an 11.27 Price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, which is cheaper than that of competitors like Wells Fargo and Goldman Sachs despite JPM's higher profit margins. It also pays a 2.44% yield with a 27% dividend payout rate (DPR), and the company has increased its payout annually for 15 consecutive years. One potential area of concern resides at the 200-day moving average, which could become a new resistance level if momentum fades. If the share price can sustainably break through this level, a resumption of the uptrend could follow.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bank of America Corp.&nbsp;</h2>
Another large bank to post an impressive earnings beat was Bank of America (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) which reported on April 15 and beat estimates on both earnings and revenue. Like his rival Dimon, Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan echoed concern about what he's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/25/04/44829134/bank-of-america-ceo-says-consumers-are-resilient-while-business-owners-worried-as-we-face-a-changing-economy">hearing from business owners</a>, but also pointed to consumer resilience and growth from their business clients as reasons for strong quarterly earnings. The beat was narrower than JPM, with revenue of $27.51 billion compared to the expected $26.99 billion and earnings of 90 cents per share versus the expected 82 cents. However, the stock rose 4% following the earnings release as revenue was boosted by both equities trading and net interest income (NII). Both the $2.2 billion in trading revenue and the $3.5 billion in fixed income revenue exceeded estimates, offsetting the declines in investment banking fees.
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXenISL3NobmQfOlsorQbqcKt4FrCalETBJDrsSooGc7sgzn_R0Yoy6kk1CABCAxXQUrvHXH64IeV7LZXOuey7xZnWnWkhjVvEvJwlr8qz1kXiOkYleu7-bvys0ACwBvHligcY75_w?key=9zg1RvXLtlcToUFhHP-r9JNo" alt="" /></figure>
BAC shares were finally closing in on their 2022 high before tariff uncertainty began spooking markets, and the stock recently made the dreaded ‘death cross' on the daily chart as the 50-day moving average crossed below the 200-day moving average. But there are fundamental reasons to believe the technical signal is a false alarm. Bank of America trades at just 10.2 times forward earnings, making its stock cheaper than most of its large bank competitors, such as JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, and Goldman Sachs. The stock also pays a 2.79% dividend yield with a 31% DPR, and an 11-year history of annual dividend increases. Analysts are also bullish, with a consensus Buy rating and an average price target of $45.52, based on 25 reports compiled by Benzinga.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Synovus Financial Corp.&nbsp;</h2>
Mega banks weren't the only companies producing strong earnings. Synovus Financial (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNV#NYSE">SNV</a>) is a smaller regional bank with services primarily located in the southern United States, in states such as Alabama, Georgia and Florida. The bank has a market capitalization of just under $6 billion and generated $2.01 billion in annual sales last year. In its April 17 earnings release for Q1 2025, Synovus Financial posted top and bottom-line beats, including an impressive $1.30 EPS report versus the expected $1.10, a 16% upside surprise. The bank's $571 million in quarterly revenue also beat expectations, boosted by an expansion of net interest margin (NIM) and interest income of $454 million.
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXeFgoYPNw-Uitdz6wLMeUhXXy3tyvBOhSi84cYZSeOoIxC8BluaGyu7UUVigE287sNjOQglXp84d71vULPFkbaq2yWC9hrevr_-euGYYKM3rAvZlsoA9y8POYpaHOevnqdmnYhShQ?key=9zg1RvXLtlcToUFhHP-r9JNo" alt="" /></figure>
SNV's stock has been on quite the rollercoaster over the last decade. Shares hit an all-time high near $60 in June 2018 before collapsing to under $15 per share during the COVID-19 pandemic. The stock finally rebounded near its all-time high in Q4 2024, before this recent dip. The company's earnings and fundamentals suggest a stock with potential. The stock trades at just 8.7 times forward earnings, which is cheaper than its regional bank peers, such as Citizens Financial Group and Cadence Bank. The company has also grown its revenue by nearly 19% year over year (YoY) and pays a dividend yield of 3.85%. Like BAC, investors must be wary of the ‘Death Cross' formed by the 50-day and 200-day moving averages, but the uplifting earnings report could make this another false signal.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Citigroup Inc.&nbsp;</h2>
Citigroup (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/C#NYSE">C</a>) is often the whipping boy in the financial services sector, but its recent earnings report revealed nothing worth deriding. The bank reported $21.6 billion in quarterly revenue and $1.96 EPS, both numbers easily surpassing analysts&#8217; estimates. One of the more impressive numbers on the report was the $1.5 billion in equity trading revenue, a 23% increase from the previous quarter. The stock jumped 3% following the April 15 report, which also included full-year guidance estimates of $83.1 to $84.1 billion.
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXex45eas7L5SPW_guCNF_5j66f3b4K6Oh9teQkVTqIt95wSa566hommyfbsSDbNbBq1Q_fr5djCLr5lRdpPrHYZ9oxwldRf65bWwqk_15Eh9uu_NgoI79R9nNJapaBFakbqM21eQg?key=9zg1RvXLtlcToUFhHP-r9JNo" alt="" /></figure>
Citigroup is still cheap to own compared to its large-cap peers, despite its earnings success and high 3.54% dividend yield. The stock has a P/E ratio of just 9.81, a Price-to-Book (P/B) value of 0.61, and trades at 8.6 times forward earnings, making it more affordable than JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo. The stock recently triggered an oversold signal on the Relative Strength Index (RSI) too, indicating that the underlying uptrend could be close to resuming its march.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rates, Reversals &amp; Volatility: How to Trade This Unpredictable Market</h2>
Conflicting signals. Sector rotation. Rate shocks. Traders are struggling to make sense of it all—but Matt Maley is thriving. Join him Wednesday, April 23 at 6 PM ET to learn the real-time strategies and setups he's using to trade volatility and target major upside—even while markets stay messy. Register <a href="https://events2.benzinga.com/matt-maley-webinar-wed-apr23-2025-registration">HERE</a> before spots fill.
Editorial content from our Expert contributors is intended to be information for the general public and not individualized investment advice. Editors/contributors are presenting their individual opinions and strategies which are neither expressly or impliedly approved or endorsed by Benzinga.
Photo: Shutterstock

Opinion

Trading Ideas

4 Bank Stocks To Buy As Earnings Soar

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bullish stance on Bank of America (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with BAC, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
So how do we know what these investors just did? 
Today, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 20 uncommon options trades for Bank of America.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 55% bullish and 40%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 7 are puts, for a total amount of $398,513, and 13 are calls, for a total amount of $858,666.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $33.0 and $50.0 for Bank of America, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for Bank of America options trades today is 9293.85 with a total volume of 8,752.00.
In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for Bank of America's big money trades within a strike price range of $33.0 to $50.0 over the last 30 days.
<h3>Bank of America Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1745337719_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>BAC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$1.93</td>
<td>$1.9</td>
<td>$1.91</td>
<td>$38.00</td>
<td>$191.0K</td>
<td>9.5K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BAC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/18/26</td>
<td>$5.05</td>
<td>$4.95</td>
<td>$4.95</td>
<td>$38.00</td>
<td>$148.5K</td>
<td>2.3K</td>
<td>300</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BAC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$1.32</td>
<td>$1.3</td>
<td>$1.3</td>
<td>$38.00</td>
<td>$130.0K</td>
<td>9.3K</td>
<td>98</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BAC</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$0.8</td>
<td>$0.78</td>
<td>$0.78</td>
<td>$34.00</td>
<td>$91.7K</td>
<td>6.0K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BAC</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/30/25</td>
<td>$1.23</td>
<td>$1.22</td>
<td>$1.23</td>
<td>$37.00</td>
<td>$73.8K</td>
<td>453</td>
<td>1.2K</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Bank of America</h3>
Bank of America is one of the largest financial institutions in the United States, with more than $3.2 trillion in assets. It is organized into four major segments: consumer banking, global wealth and investment management, global banking, and global markets. Bank of America's consumer-facing lines of business include its network of branches and deposit-gathering operations, retail lending products, credit and debit cards, and small-business services. The company's Merrill Lynch operations provide brokerage and wealth-management services, as does its private bank. Wholesale lines of business include investment banking, corporate and commercial real estate lending, and capital markets operations. Bank of America has operations in several countries but is primarily US-focused.
Having examined the options trading patterns of Bank of America, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance
<h3>Where Is Bank of America Standing Right Now?</h3>
<ul>
<li>Currently trading with a volume of 12,472,018, the BAC's price is up by 2.38%, now at $37.8. </li>
<li>RSI readings suggest the stock is currently may be approaching oversold.</li>
<li>Anticipated earnings release is in 85 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On Bank of America</h3>
In the last month, 5 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $50.0.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=options-activity&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Truist Securities keeps a Buy rating on Bank of America with a target price of $50. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods continues to hold a Outperform rating for Bank of America, targeting a price of $52. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Truist Securities has decided to maintain their Buy rating on Bank of America, which currently sits at a price target of $47. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Argus Research continues to hold a Buy rating for Bank of America, targeting a price of $47. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Barclays persists with their Overweight rating on Bank of America, maintaining a target price of $54. 
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Bank of America, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

Options

Check Out What Whales Are Doing With BAC

IBKR

MORN

SPGI

Shares of stocks in the broader financial sector are trading lower amid overall market weakness amid President Trump's criticism of Fed Chair Powell.

Bank of America Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) shares are trading lower by 2.2% to $36.60 during Monday&#8217;s session amid overall market weakness. The company last week reported first-quarter fiscal 2025 results, with results that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44811593/bank-of-america-ceo-says-consumer-continues-to-spend-and-maintain-healthy-credit-quality-sticks-to-annual-outlook">topped Wall Street expectations</a>. 
The bank posted net income of $7.4 billion, up from $6.7 billion a year earlier, with earnings per share of 90 cents, beating the consensus estimate of 81 cents. Revenue rose 6% to $27.37 billion, driven by growth in both noninterest and net interest income.
Bank of America's Consumer and Global Banking divisions posted slight profit declines, while Global Markets and Wealth Management showed gains. Credit loss provisions rose 12% to $1.48 billion. The CET1 capital ratio slipped to 11.8%, though book value per share rose 8% to $36.39.
CEO Brian Moynihan emphasized consumer resilience and reaffirmed the bank's long-term strategy, but analysts noted rising macro risks and revised down forecasts, potentially contributing to the stock's decline despite the otherwise strong quarter.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44896337/teslas-q1-test-drive-will-earnings-steer-tesla-stock-out-of-the-ditch">Tesla Q1 Test Drive: Will Earnings Steer The Stock Out Of The Ditch?</a>
What Else: However, investor sentiment has been soured after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell last week <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/04/44848474/fed-chair-powell-says-tariffs-lead-to-temporary-rise-in-inflation">warned of heightened inflation risks</a> and weakening growth tied to new U.S. trade tariffs. Powell's remarks Wednesday pointed to &#8220;notable deterioration&#8221; in consumer and business sentiment, adding uncertainty to the macro outlook.
The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44896834/dollar-hits-3-year-lows-us-stocks-tumble-as-trump-threatens-to-fire-powell-contrarians-of-the-world-unite">dollar sank Monday</a> amid fears President&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;could move to oust Federal Reserve Chair&nbsp;Jerome Powell&nbsp;before his term expires in May 2026.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44896834/dollar-hits-3-year-lows-us-stocks-tumble-as-trump-threatens-to-fire-powell-contrarians-of-the-world-unite">Dollar Hits 3-Year Lows, US Stocks Tumble As Trump Threatens To Fire Powell: &#8216;Contrarians Of The World, Unite!&#8217;</a>
Investors can gain exposure to&nbsp;BAC by&nbsp;investing&nbsp;in the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLF#NASDAQ">XLF</a>).
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How To Buy BAC Stock</h2>
By now you're likely curious about how to participate in the market for Bank of America &#8211; be it to purchase shares, or even attempt to bet against the company.
Buying shares is typically done through a brokerage account. You can find a list of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-stock-trading-platforms">possible trading platforms here.</a> Many will allow you to buy &#8220;fractional shares,&#8221; which allows you to own portions of stock without buying an entire share.
In the case of Bank of America, which is trading at $36.64 as of publishing time, $100 would buy you 2.73 shares of stock.
If you're looking to bet against a company, the process is more complex. You'll need access to an options trading platform, or a broker who will allow you to &#8220;go short&#8221; a share of stock by lending you the shares to sell. The process of shorting a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock">stock can be found at this resource.</a> Otherwise, if your broker allows you to trade options, you can either buy a put option, or sell a call option at a strike price above where shares are currently trading &#8211; either way it allows you to profit off of the share price decline.
According to data from&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>, BAC has a 52-week high of $48.08 and a 52-week low of $36.60.

What's Going On With Bank Of America (BAC) Shares?

A growing number of cryptocurrency companies are preparing to enter the U.S. banking system, propelled by a policy shift under President Donald Trump aimed at <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42644568/institutional-crypto-adoption-for-real-this-time-says-messari">integrating digital assets into mainstream finance</a>.
What Happened: Firms like Circle (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">USDC</a>) and BitGo are planning to apply for bank charters, The Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/finance/currencies/crypto-knocks-on-the-door-of-a-banking-world-that-shut-it-out-082b3968">reported</a>, quoting sources.
Coinbase (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>) and Paxos are also exploring regulatory approvals to operate with similar authority. 
These developments follow the Trump administration's commitment to establishing the U.S. as a global leader in digital assets, including through new legislation targeting stablecoin oversight.
Recent bills moving through Congress propose a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/44516699/u-s-congress-advances-stablecoin-regulation-with-the-introduction-of-the-stable-act">regulatory framework for stablecoins</a>, mandating that issuers secure banking licenses or charters.
These digital tokens, typically pegged to fiat currencies, are used as a bridge between volatile cryptocurrencies and traditional money.
Some crypto firms are aiming for national trust bank or industrial bank charters that are essentially licenses that would allow them to hold customer deposits or issue loans. 
Others are seeking limited permissions specifically for issuing stablecoins.
BitGo, a crypto custody firm and reserve manager for the Trump family's stablecoin project USD1, is nearing the submission of its bank charter application, according to individuals familiar with its plans.
Anchorage Digital, currently the only federally chartered crypto bank in the U.S., has invested tens of millions of dollars to meet regulatory standards. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44867243/binance-advising-nations-on-strategic-bitcoin-reserves-crypto-regulation-report">Binance Advising Nations On Strategic Bitcoin Reserves, Crypto Regulation: Report</a>
CEO Nathan McCauley acknowledged the operational challenges, saying, "It has not been easy," but emphasized the importance of intertwining full regulatory compliance with the crypto sector.
Anchorage recently became a custodian for BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBIT#NASDAQ">IBIT</a>) and partnered with Cantor Fitzgerald and Copper on a $2 billion bitcoin-backed lending initiative. 
Tether (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">USDT</a>), the world's largest stablecoin by market cap at $145 billion, is a major Cantor client.
This integration marks a reversal from two years ago when the collapses of crypto firms and banks like Silvergate and Signature led to a regulatory clampdown, forcing traditional financial institutions to distance themselves from the crypto sector.
Why It Matters: Trump's return to office has changed the tone.
Regulations that once required banks to seek explicit approval before offering crypto services have been softened, and new federal guidance on bank-crypto relationships is expected later this year.
Legacy financial institutions are adjusting course. 
Bank of America (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) CEO Brian Moynihan said in February the bank is prepared to issue a stablecoin once legal clarity is established. 
U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/USB#NYSE">USB</a>) has also resumed crypto custody services via a partnership with NYDIG.
International banks are taking note. 
A consortium including Deutsche Bank (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DB#NYSE">DB</a>) and Standard Chartered (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SCBFF#OTC">SCBFF</a>) is exploring expansion into the U.S. crypto market. Deutsche Bank declined to comment, and Standard Chartered did not respond.
However, caution persists in some corners. 
KeyCorp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KEY#NYSE">KEY</a>) CEO Chris Gorman noted potential competitive threats from crypto and cited regulatory concerns, particularly around transparency and anti-money laundering enforcement. "It's hard to trace," he said.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44861571/donald-trump-blasts-too-late-and-wrong-fed-chair-powell-but-polymarket-traders-doubt-his-termination-will-come-fast-enough">Donald Trump Blasts &#8216;Too Late And Wrong&#8217; Fed Chair Powell, But Polymarket Traders Doubt His &#8216;Termination&#8217; Will Come &#8216;Fast Enough&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

Cryptocurrency

$USDC

$USDT

COIN

IBIT

SCBFF

Deutsche Bank, Standard Chartered Reportedly Looking Into Expanding To US Crypto Market

In early 2009, when the financial crisis was still wreaking havoc, former Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) and former Chairman of Daily Journal Corporation, Charlie Munger, made an unusual choice that differentiated him from most investors.
While panic spread across global markets and stocks were being sold unthinkingly, Munger silently funnelled 71% of the Daily Journal Corporation's cash into suffering financial institutions, particularly Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) and Wells Fargo &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>).
This turned out to be a masterstroke. By 2013, the value of those investments had increased three-fold, significantly boosting the company's worth.
Using Mental Models, Not Market Predictions: Munger didn't depend on forecasts or gut instinct, Chris Franco <a href="https://cmqinvesting.substack.com/p/how-charlie-munger-made-millions-after-2008-crash?r=4gn514&amp;utm_medium=ios&amp;triedRedirect=true">noted</a> in the CMQ Investing newsletter. Instead, he pursued a structured way of thinking that he called a &#8220;latticework of mental models.&#8221; 
Three main models grounded his investment choices: the Circle of Competence (only invest in businesses you understand in-depth), the Margin of Safety (buy at a price so low that even if things go sideways, there is still upside), and Opportunity Cost (allocate capital only when the potential return is better than any other option available).
These models created a strong, rational foundation for action when others were unsure of how to negotiate with uncertainty.
Understanding the Psychology of a Market Collapse: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/03/44450390/charlie-mungers-investment-wisdom-if-people-werent-so-often-wrong-we-wouldnt-be-so-rich">Munger's success </a>was rooted in his thorough understanding of human psychology. He consciously made sure not to fall into mental traps like Social Proof (following the crowd), Loss Aversion (being afraid of losses more than valuing gains), and Availability Bias (giving undue importance to recent traumatic events like the 2008 collapse).
He was not influenced by falling prices or sensational headlines. Instead, he gauged intrinsic value and based his thinking on facts, not fear.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44855242/charlie-munger-once-highlighted-how-warren-buffetts-lifelong-learning-made-berkshire-hathaways-success-possible-and-the-crucial-lesson-you-can-take-from-it">Charlie Munger Once Said Warren Buffett Is A &#8216;Learning Machine&#8217; And That&#8217;s What Lies Beneath Berkshire Hathaway&#8217;s Success From One Decade To Another</a>
Why Munger's Strategy Still Matters Munger's strategy reminds us of age-old lessons: think for yourself, invest only when you understand the business, and leverage the fear-driven mispricing when it occurs. Munger's 2009 trade remains an extraordinary example of how <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44681817/charlie-munger-once-said-the-market-wont-do-exactly-what-you-want-when-you-want-as-tariff-jitters-and-wild-swings-remind-investors-why-long-term-thinking-matters">long-term planning and emotional regulation </a>can generate incredible outcomes.
Berkshire's Cash Strategy Echoes Munger's Playbook Warren Buffett's record cash pile at Berkshire Hathaway is an example of Charlie Munger's 2009 approach in action—wait for fear to drive value. Armando Gonzalez, founder of AI-powered research platform Bigdata.com <a href="https://fortune.com/2025/03/15/warren-buffett-berkshire-hathaway-stock-market-correction-cash-pile-acquisitions/">told</a> Fortune that Buffett's moves demonstrate clear foresight: selling $134 billion in equities and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/42153356/is-warren-buffett-preparing-for-a-market-downturn-with-berkshire-hathaways-325b-cash-pile-analyst-says-internet-bubble-and-2008-crash-may-have-lessons">building a $334.2 billion cash pile </a>in expectation of market turmoil.
Like Munger, Buffett is deploying patience as a strategic edge that will give him an advantage over others. Gonzalez observed that Buffett is not chasing rebounds or attempting to time the bottom—he's waiting for real bargains to appear, where the risk-reward balance tips conclusively in his favor.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44779752/charlie-munger-says-investors-who-cant-handle-market-volatility-deserve-the-mediocre-result">Charlie Munger Says Investors Who Can&#8217;t Handle Market Volatility &#8216;Deserve the Mediocre Result&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Photo Courtesy: Kent Sievers on Shutterstock.com

Success Stories

Charlie Munger's Bold Bank Bets In 2008: A Masterclass In Rational Investing And How Warren Buffett Is Now Channeling That Same Patience With A $334 Billion Cash Pile

China&#8217;s central bank continued to accumulate gold, adding 5 tonnes to its stash in March, marking its 5th consecutive monthly purchase. 
What Happened: On Sunday, The Kobeissi Letter, a popular capital markets newsletter posted on X, stating that China&#8217;s Central Bank has purchased gold for the 5th straight month, adding 5 tonnes in March, and bringing its total gold reserves to a record 2,292 tonnes.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/44891276/the-average-household-is-a-millionaire-with-a-1-06-million-net-worth-according-to-the-fed-so-why-do-people-still-feel-broke">The Average Household Is A Millionaire With A $1.06 Million Net Worth, According To The Fed — So Why Do People Still Feel Broke?</a>
It adds that gold now accounts for 6.5% of the nation&#8217;s official reserve assets, having purchased a &#8220;whopping&#8221; 50 tonnes of the yellow metal in February, more than 10 times what was officially reported, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>).
<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">BREAKING: China's central bank increased its gold holdings by 5 tonnes in March, posting their 5th consecutive monthly purchase. This brings total China's gold reserves to a record 2,292 tonnes. Chinese gold holdings now reflect 6.5% of its total official reserve assets.… <a href="https://t.co/LuwiBvnirn">pic.twitter.com/LuwiBvnirn</a>
&mdash; The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) <a href="https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/1913996067298779581?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
According to the post, China has been accumulating gold at a rapid pace, with its purchases on the London OTC market significantly above officially reported numbers.
Why It Matters: Growing central bank demand has sent gold to record highs in recent weeks, and analysts at Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) continue to revise their targets upwards for the commodity, citing <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/25/03/44569258/gold-market-rallies-amid-inflation-concerns-and-trade-uncertainty">trade war uncertainties</a> and a weaker U.S. Dollar.
Gold prices are also seeing momentum from growing ETF inflows, with global gold <a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/44759336/gold-soars-beyond-3200-as-etfs-achieve-record-inflows-in-q1">ETFs adding $21 billion</a> in the first quarter of 2025, marking their second-highest quarterly inflow since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, as investors pursue safe-haven assets amid global market turmoil. 
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Stock / ETF</td>
<td>Year-to-Date</td>
<td>52-Week Range</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLD#NYSE">GLD</a>)</td>
<td>+$60.70 (+24.73%)</td>
<td>$210.71 &#8211; $309.31</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>iShares Gold Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IAU#NYSE">IAU</a>)</td>
<td>+$12.44&nbsp;(+24.79%)</td>
<td>$43.06 &#8211; $63.32</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VanEck Gold Miners ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GDX#NYSE">GDX</a>)</td>
<td>+$15.58&nbsp;(+44.09%)</td>
<td>$32.20 &#8211; $52.81</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GDXJ#NYSE">GDXJ</a>)</td>
<td>+$19.29&nbsp;(+43.03%)</td>
<td>$39.88 &#8211; $66.17</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FGDL#NYSE">FGDL</a>)</td>
<td>+$8.97&nbsp;(+25.27%)</td>
<td>$30.55 &#8211; $45.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
With the &#8220;Simultaneous Collapse&#8221; is U.S. assets, with equities, Treasuries, and the dollar, all <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44756751/full-spectrum-collapse-top-bank-rings-alarm-over-simultaneous-fall-of-us-assets">falling in tandem</a>, gold remains one of the few remaining places of refuge for investors across the globe.
Photo Courtesy: humphery on Shutterstock.com
Read More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44891073/donald-trumps-trade-war-jpmorgan-predicts-deals-higher-taxes-and-potential-recession-avoidance">Donald Trump&#8217;s Trade War: JPMorgan Predicts Deals, Higher Taxes and Potential Recession Avoidance</a>

China's Central Bank's Gold Stash Spikes To 2,292 Tonnes And Beijing Is Still Buying

Editor's Note: The original story inaccurately suggested that Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway had indirect exposure to Bitcoin ETFs. We regret the error. 
 Image via Shutterstock

$BTC

MSTR

MTPLF

Article Removed Regarding Berkshire Hathaway's Alleged Exposure To Bitcoin ETFs (CORRECTED)

When Chinese AI lab Deepseek released a state-of-the-art large language model for free, it marked a turning point in enterprise AI strategy — especially for financial institutions. The move underscored a broader shift: the emergence of open-source AI as a serious contender to proprietary offerings.
While open-source tools have long been foundational to developer ecosystems, their influence rarely extended into core infrastructure. That changed when companies like Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) began publishing foundational models freely, echoing Google's Android strategy — build the ecosystem now, monetize later.
The trend is accelerating. Deepseek's release made waves for several reasons:
<ul>
<li>State-of-the-art models are now widely available at no cost.</li>
<li>Training these models has become more economically feasible.</li>
<li>Open-source distribution can accelerate adoption — Deepseek's app reportedly reached the top of mobile app store rankings within days of launch.</li>
</ul>
These developments open the door for enterprises — including banks — to stop merely consuming AI and start building it.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Banking's Quiet AI Revolution</h1>
<a href="https://www.citigroup.com/global/news/press-release/2024/citi-publishes-new-report-ai-in-finance">According to a 2024 Citibank report</a>, up to 54% of banking roles could be impacted by AI. The sector's heavy reliance on manual workflows, compliance-heavy documentation and repetitive research makes it ripe for disruption.
So far, most large U.S. banks have opted to explore generative AI via partnerships rather than by developing their own infrastructure:
<ul>
<li>Morgan Stanley (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MS#NYSE">MS</a>) has deployed tools for automating meeting notes and summarizing research, aimed at enhancing financial advisor productivity.</li>
<li>JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>) partnered with OpenAI to launch internal assistants for email and document drafting, all integrated into its secure Omni platform.</li>
<li>Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>) built an internal hub to access specialized AI tools, with a focus on developer productivity and task-specific model optimization.</li>
<li>Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) and Wells Fargo &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>) are focused on customer-facing AI, deploying chatbots in mobile banking apps to answer user queries and handle support.</li>
</ul>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Why Banks May Need to Build Their Own AI</h1>
With open-source AI infrastructure advancing rapidly, banks now have compelling reasons to develop internal models:
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">&#x1f510; Enhanced Data Security</h3>
By building proprietary LLMs, banks can maintain end-to-end control over sensitive data, reduce reliance on external vendors, and ensure compliance with strict regulatory requirements.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">&#x1f4ca; Unlocking Proprietary Data Value</h3>
Banks are sitting on massive pools of transaction and behavioral data that could power competitive AI models. Training open-source models in-house offers a cost-effective way to turn this underutilized data into differentiated digital services.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">&#x1f4b8; Monetization Potential</h3>
Custom bank-built AI can serve internal teams or be licensed externally. As demand rises for financial data integration, models trained on proprietary datasets could enable entirely new product lines or revenue channels.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">The Strategic Fork in the Road</h1>
Banks are now faced with a strategic decision: continue outsourcing AI capabilities to tech firms — or invest in building their own. With massive IT budgets and uniquely rich data troves, financial institutions are well-positioned to become creators of infrastructure, not just users.
The road ahead is clear. As open-source AI evolves, banking giants that invest in their own models today may define the next era of financial services.
Read Next: •<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44838028/us-bancorp-beats-q1-estimates-on-strength-in-noninterest-income-loan-growth-and-cost-discipline"> U.S. Bancorp Beats Q1 Estimates, CEO Says &#8216;Revenues Outpaced Expenses&#8217;</a> Photo: Shutterstock

Fintech news covering the emerging Financial Technology services sector

Fintech

Tech

BankGPT: Why Open-Source AI May Reshape Future Of Financial Services

Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) is ramping up its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/07/39801252/bofa-manages-to-keep-expenses-in-check-by-going-digital-now-the-bank-is-using-ai-to-take-it-to-anot">investment in artificial intelligence</a>, planning to spend $4 billion on AI initiatives over the next year—nearly a third of its annual $13 billion tech budget.
The company <a href="https://newsroom.bankofamerica.com/content/newsroom/press-releases/2025/04/ai-adoption-by-bofa-s-global-workforce-improves-productivity--cl.html">disclosed</a> the figure in a recent release, noting that both internal and customer-facing tools are already showing strong returns, ranging from cost reductions to improved user experiences.
Benzinga reached out to Bank of America for more details, but the bank was unable to comment by the time of publication. That being said, there are many interesting tidbits to highlight in the press release itself.
Among major U.S. banks, Bank of America appears to be leading the charge in deploying AI at scale. Its consumer chatbot Erica—launched seven years ago—has handled over 2.5 billion interactions and now serves 20 million active users. Meanwhile, sibling products like askMerrill and askPrivate Banking saw more than 23 million interactions in 2024, up by over a million from the previous year.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Enterprise AI Is Catching Up Fast</h3>
While consumer-facing AI has been in place for years, BofA's enterprise AI rollout is more recent—and more ambitious. New internal data reveals just how widely the bank is applying generative AI across its operations:
<ul>
<li>Internal Support (IT): Erica for Employees, an internal AI chatbot adapted from the public-facing version, is now used by over 90% of BofA's 213,000 employees—reducing IT help desk requests by more than 50%.</li>
<li>Developer Productivity: Engineers using generative AI coding assistants are seeing up to 20% improvements in productivity, helping them move faster across technical workflows.</li>
<li>Meeting Preparation: AI is helping employees generate meeting prep materials for client engagements, saving tens of thousands of hours annually—time that's redirected toward client-facing work.</li>
<li>Customer Support: Contact center agents use AI tools to deliver faster, more personalized service, which has reduced average call times.</li>
<li>Research Access (Sales &amp; Trading): Sales and trading teams use a homegrown generative AI tool to summarize BofA research and market updates more efficiently, helping them move quickly in volatile markets.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Why This Matters</h3>
Other institutions like JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>), Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>), and Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/C#NYSE">C</a>) are also building AI-powered tools for employees and customers. But Bank of America stands out for its transparency and measurable results.
Cutting IT support demand in half, improving developer velocity, and enhancing customer satisfaction are all indicators that this isn't hype—it's execution.
And yet, this is just the beginning. The generative AI transformation in banking is still in its early innings. What we're seeing now is likely just a preview of how financial services will operate in the next decade.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44878275/billionare-investor-bill-ackman-posts-hertz-investment-thesis-proposes-av-fleet-partnership-with-uber">Billionare Investor Bill Ackman Posts Hertz Investment Thesis, Proposes AV Fleet Partnership With Uber</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Bank Of America Bets Big On AI With $4 Billion Investment—And It's Already Paying Off

When the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/volatility">market goes haywire</a>, it helps to have a compass. 
This week, Stephanie Link, Chief Investment Strategist at Hightower Advisors, is pointing investors toward five names she believes are poised for a rebound.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Nvidia: The King Looks Tempting Again</h3>
Link doesn't own Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) — yet. But for the first time, she's circling. The AI juggernaut is trading at just 20x forward earnings, below its historical trough of 23–25x, after numbers have been revised down.
"If you've got a long-term view, this is your moment," says Link, who acknowledges she's been riding with Broadcom Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>) instead. 
But with Nvidia off its highs and still the undisputed leader in AI chips, she says the dust will settle and investors will flock back to the winners.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Meta: 3.3 Billion Users Can't Be Wrong</h3>
Link just bought Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) for the first time in years. The stock is down 28%, yet Meta's still cranking out 20% revenue growth and 40% operating margins.
"That's too cheap to ignore," says Link, who's betting that Wall Street's short-term memory will soon rediscover the power of 3.3 billion monthly users and a cash-rich business model.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44862662/trump-pressures-fed-as-ecb-delivers-7th-straight-rate-cut">Trump Pressures Fed As ECB Delivers 7th Straight Rate Cut</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Intuitive Surgical: Market Leader With Tailwinds</h3>
Down 20% from its highs, Intuitive Surgical Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ISRG#NASDAQ">ISRG</a>) is still cutting-edge. 
With a 30% market share in robotic surgeries and only 2.4 million of 200 million global procedures under its belt last year, Link sees years of growth ahead.
"It's not a stock for the impatient," she admits. "But it's the clear category leader with a long runway."
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Boeing: China Needs Planes, Not Headlines</h3>
Link doesn't have time for turbulence in airline stocks. As for Boeing Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>), that's a different story. Despite headlines and supply chain snafus, she thinks the worst may be over — and with China's aging fleet needing an upgrade, demand is a given.
"This isn't a demand problem. It's an execution problem — and now they've got a CEO who knows how to execute."
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bank of America: Time To Catch Up</h3>
Bank of America Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) has lagged its peers by 10 percentage points this year. That's Link's cue. She liked the bank's recent quarter, especially fee growth, efficiency, and management's confidence in reiterating net interest income guidance.
"When the whole sector looked shaky, Bank of America helped calm the waters," she says and she's buying into that stability.
Link isn't chasing the rally. Whether it's tech titans with trimmed valuations or category leaders with long-term tailwinds, each of her picks has one thing in common: durability. 
In a market still finding its footing, she's betting that quality will win and that patient investors will be glad they followed the signal, not the noise.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44850745/5-tariff-resistant-international-stocks-with-dividends">5 Tariff-Resistant International Stocks With Dividends</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Long Ideas

AVGO

ISRG

NVDA

Nvidia, Meta And 3 More Stocks Are This Strategist's Top Buys: Here's Why

Bank of America Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) shares are trading higher by 4.1% to $37.47 since Monday&#8217;s open. The company this week reported stronger-than-expected <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44811593/bank-of-america-ceo-says-consumer-continues-to-spend-and-maintain-healthy-credit-quality-sticks-to-annual-outlook">first-quarter fiscal 2025 results</a>, with net income rising to $7.4 billion from $6.7 billion a year earlier.
What To Know: Bank of America&#8217;s first-quarter EPS came in at 90 cents, surpassing analysts&#8217; expectations of 81 cents. Revenue climbed 6% year-over-year to $27.37 billion, supported by a 9.6% rise in noninterest income and a 3% increase in net interest income.
Segment performance was mixed: Consumer Banking and Global Banking saw slight declines in net income, while Global Markets and Wealth Management posted gains. Investment banking fees dipped 3% to $1.5 billion. Credit loss provisions rose 12% to $1.48 billion.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44862662/trump-pressures-fed-as-ecb-delivers-7th-straight-rate-cut">Trump Pressures Fed As ECB Delivers 7th Straight Rate Cut</a>
Despite a CET1 ratio decline to 11.8%, book value per share improved 8% to $36.39. The bank added 1 million new credit card accounts, with loan and deposit growth at 4% and 3% respectively.
While analysts praised the quarter's resilience, several firms <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44849372/bank-of-america-analysts-cut-price-target-amid-macro-uncertainty-but-maintain-positive-outlook">lowered EPS estimates and price targets</a>, citing macro risks. CEO Brian Moynihan highlighted continued consumer strength and reiterated confidence in the bank's growth strategy <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44862662/trump-pressures-fed-as-ecb-delivers-7th-straight-rate-cut">amid economic uncertainty</a>.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/25/04/44846882/big-bank-ceos-weigh-in-on-trumps-turbulent-economy">Big Bank CEOs Weigh In On Trump&#8217;s Turbulent Economy</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How To Buy BAC Stock</h2>
By now you're likely curious about how to participate in the market for Bank of America &#8211; be it to purchase shares, or even attempt to bet against the company.
Buying shares is typically done through a brokerage account. You can find a list of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-stock-trading-platforms">possible trading platforms here.</a> Many will allow you to buy &#8220;fractional shares,&#8221; which allows you to own portions of stock without buying an entire share.
In the case of Bank of America (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>), which is trading at $37.45 as of publishing time, $100 would buy you 2.67 shares of stock.
If you're looking to bet against a company, the process is more complex. You'll need access to an options trading platform, or a broker who will allow you to &#8220;go short&#8221; a share of stock by lending you the shares to sell. The process of shorting a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock">stock can be found at this resource.</a> Otherwise, if your broker allows you to trade options, you can either buy a put option, or sell a call option at a strike price above where shares are currently trading &#8211; either way it allows you to profit off of the share price decline.
According to data from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>, BAC has a 52-week high of $48.08 and a 52-week low of $33.06.

What's Going On With Bank Of America (BAC) Shares

Alcoa Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AA#NYSE">AA</a>), the largest aluminum producer in the United States, reported $20 million in additional costs during its first quarter, stemming from newly imposed tariffs on Canadian aluminum imports last month.
What Happened: During its <a href="https://benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44853254/alcoa-shares-gain-after-mixed-q1-results-eps-beat-revenues-miss">first quarter earnings</a> call on Wednesday, Alcoa&#8217;s CFO, Molly Bierman, said the 25% tariffs, which took effect on March 12th, have already impacted the company's bottom line, to the tune of $20 million, and expects tariff-related expenses to climb to $90 million during the second quarter.
Following up on this, CEO William F. Oplinger said the tariff poses a significant challenge for the company. "This is the most material impact to Alcoa, as approximately 70% of our aluminum produced in Canada is destined for U.S. customers," Oplinger said.
He estimated the annual cost of the 25% tariff could reach as high as $425 million.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44857599/ford-could-hike-prices-of-its-vehicles-in-the-us-amid-auto-tariff-uncertainty-report">Trump Tariffs Could Force Ford To Hike Prices Of Its Vehicles In US Days After It Extended Employee Pricing To All Customers</a>
Besides this, a portion of raw materials sourced from China is now subject to higher tariffs, according to Oplinger. He estimates those added costs will increase annual input expenses by $10 million to $15 million, citing a lack of viable alternative suppliers.
The company, however, expects to offset some of these costs with a high Midwest Premium, which refers to the added costs the buyers pay for aluminum, in addition to the base price. With this premium, Oplinger believes the net annual result is a negative $100 million for Alcoa.
Why It Matters: Recently, Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) analysts double-downgraded the stock, from &#8220;Buy&#8221; to &#8220;Underperform,&#8221; while slashing its Price Target from $58 to $26, representing a downward revision of 55%, citing lower aluminum prices and tariff pressures, <a href="https://www.barrons.com/articles/alcoa-stock-sell-double-downgrade-4222e6a2">reports</a> Barron&#8217;s. 
Alcoa&#8217;s CEO William Oplinger has been a vocal critic of the tariffs, saying that they could wipe out 100,000 U.S. jobs as far back as February, as <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/alcoa-s-ceo-says-trump-tariffs-could-wipe-out-100-000-u-s-jobs-11686292'">reported</a> by Investopedia. 
Price Action: Alcoa stock was up 1.58% on Wednesday, but is down 1.48% in after-hours trading following its first quarter earnings release that fell short of estimates. 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="139" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17035803/Screenshot-2025-04-17-at-1.27.40-PM-1024x139.png" alt="" class="wp-image-875988" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17035803/Screenshot-2025-04-17-at-1.27.40-PM-1024x139.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17035803/Screenshot-2025-04-17-at-1.27.40-PM-300x41.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17035803/Screenshot-2025-04-17-at-1.27.40-PM-768x104.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17035803/Screenshot-2025-04-17-at-1.27.40-PM-1536x208.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17035803/Screenshot-2025-04-17-at-1.27.40-PM.png 1596w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
According to Benzinga&#8217;s Edge Stock Rankings, Alcoa is trending weak in the short, medium, and long term, while only scoring well on value, at 82.54. For more insights on this stock, its peers, and competitors, consider signing up for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings</a>.
Read More:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44857178/trump-joins-japan-tariff-talks-calls-progress-big-as-63-billion-trade-surplus-looms">Trump Joins Japan Tariff Talks, Calls Progress &#8216;Big&#8217; As $63 Billion Trade Surplus Looms</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Wirestock Creators / Shutterstock.com

Earnings

Alcoa Warns Tariffs Could Cost $425 Million Annually: 'This Is The Most Material Impact' Says CEO

On Tuesday,&nbsp;Bank of America Corp&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) reported a&nbsp;first-quarter fiscal 2025&nbsp;net income of $7.4 billion (versus $6.7 billion a year ago) and EPS of $0.90, beating the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/earnings" rel="noreferrer noopener">analyst consensus estimate of $0.81</a>.
Revenue increased 6.0% year over year to $27.37 billion, beating the&nbsp;analyst consensus estimate of&nbsp;$26.99 billion, driven by noninterest income growth across all segments and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44811593/bank-of-america-ceo-says-consumer-continues-to-spend-and-maintain-healthy-credit-quality-sticks-to-annual-outlook" rel="noreferrer noopener">higher net interest income</a>.
CEO&nbsp;Brian Moynihan&nbsp;said trade tensions and tariff-related turbulence did not affect the company&#8217;s performance or American consumers in<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/25/04/44829134/bank-of-america-ceo-says-consumers-are-resilient-while-business-owners-worried-as-we-face-a-changing-economy" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;the first quarter.&nbsp;</a>
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44844097/amd-flags-800-million-risk-from-new-us-chip-export-rules-as-china-tariffs-add-pressure" rel="noreferrer noopener">AMD Flags $800 Million Risk From New US Chip Export Rules As China Tariffs Add Pressure</a>
Truist Securities analyst John McDonald updated models to reflect 1Q results and updated management outlooks. The updates reflect modest downward revisions to EPS, citing conservative run rates on certain fee revenue lines and slightly higher provisioning.
Truist reduced the 2025 EPS estimate to $3.60 (-$0.05) and the 2026 estimate to $4.30 (-$0.05), citing conservative assumptions around investment banking revenues and loan loss provision.
The analyst has reduced the price target from $50 to $47 on the lower EPS and a lower target multiple to reflect increased macro uncertainty and risks. Truist <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BAC/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">maintains the Buy rating</a>.
RBC Capital revised 2025 and 2026 EPS estimates to $3.70 and $4.25 from $3.73 and $4.35, respectively, reflecting a higher provision, higher expense, and lower noninterest income. &#8220;In view of recent market conditions, we revised our price target to $45 from $50,&#8221; RBC writes.
&#8220;BAC&#8217;s diversified business model continues to demonstrate its ability to navigate through uncertain times,&#8221; analyst Gerard Cassidy says.
&#8220;Furthermore, given the de-risking of its balance sheet over the last 15 years, we expect BAC to manage through the expected slowing of the U.S. economy and the impact it will have on credit trends without suffering any material adverse impacts to net income or capital,&#8221; Cassidy added.
Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods says this was a solid quarter from BAC but also relatively in line.
&#8220;In our view, BAC will rerate higher as it continues to deliver improving NII and visible credit costs. We continue to like the stock currently trading at a 17% discount to peers on 2026E,&#8221; said analyst David Konrad.
The analyst reduced the 2025 estimate by $0.05 to $3.65 and 2026E by $0.15 to $4.40, driven by higher credit costs and modestly lower NII.
Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods reduced the price target from $55 to $52, reiterating the Outperform rating.
&#8220;Further, BAC has flexibility for stronger repurchases as capital generation exceeds organic business growth needs,&#8221; analyst Konrad added.
Price Action: BAC stock is down 0.56% at $37.78 at the last check on Wednesday.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44843916/genedx-eyes-global-genomic-leadership-with-fabric-genomics-buyout-for-up-to-51-million" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GeneDx Eyes Global Genomic Leadership With Fabric Genomics Buyout For Up To $51 Million</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Analyst Color

Large Cap

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

General

Bank Of America Analysts Cut Price Target Amid Macro Uncertainty, But Maintain Positive Outlook

In the latest quarter, 22 analysts provided ratings for Bank of America (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>), showcasing a mix of bullish and bearish perspectives.
The table below summarizes their recent ratings, showcasing the evolving sentiments within the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">11</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts' evaluations of 12-month price targets offer additional insights, showcasing an average target of $50.36, with a high estimate of $57.00 and a low estimate of $42.00. A negative shift in sentiment is evident as analysts have decreased the average price target by 3.19%. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1744826482_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Interpreting Analyst Ratings: A Closer Look</h2>
A clear picture of Bank of America's perception among financial experts is painted with a thorough analysis of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
&#x7C; Analyst &#x7C; Analyst Firm &#x7C; Action Taken &#x7C; Rating &#x7C;Current Price Target&#x7C; Prior Price Target &#x7C; 
&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C;-----------------------&#x7C;---------------&#x7C;---------------&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C; 
&#x7C;Stephen Biggar &#x7C;Argus Research &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Buy &#x7C; $47.00&#x7C;$53.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Gerard Cassidy &#x7C;RBC Capital &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Outperform &#x7C; $45.00&#x7C;$50.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;David Konrad &#x7C;Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods&#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Outperform &#x7C; $52.00&#x7C;$55.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Erika Najarian &#x7C;UBS &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Buy &#x7C; $50.00&#x7C;$46.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Scott Siefers &#x7C;Piper Sandler &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Neutral &#x7C; $42.00&#x7C;$45.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;John McDonald &#x7C;Truist Securities &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Buy &#x7C; $47.00&#x7C;$50.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Jason Goldberg &#x7C;Barclays &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Overweight &#x7C; $54.00&#x7C;$58.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Betsy Graseck &#x7C;Morgan Stanley &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Overweight &#x7C; $47.00&#x7C;$56.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;John McDonald &#x7C;Truist Securities &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Buy &#x7C; $50.00&#x7C;$53.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Vivek Juneja &#x7C;JP Morgan &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Overweight &#x7C; $43.50&#x7C;$49.50 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Glenn Schorr &#x7C;Evercore ISI Group &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Outperform &#x7C; $48.00&#x7C;$51.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Keith Horowitz &#x7C;Citigroup &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Buy &#x7C; $50.00&#x7C;$54.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Betsy Graseck &#x7C;Morgan Stanley &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Equal-Weight &#x7C; $56.00&#x7C;$57.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;David George &#x7C;Baird &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Outperform &#x7C; $50.00&#x7C;$45.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Betsy Graseck &#x7C;Morgan Stanley &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Equal-Weight &#x7C; $57.00&#x7C;$56.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Chris Kotowski &#x7C;Oppenheimer &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Outperform &#x7C; $56.00&#x7C;$55.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Vivek Juneja &#x7C;JP Morgan &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Overweight &#x7C; $49.50&#x7C;$48.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Scott Siefers &#x7C;Piper Sandler &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Neutral &#x7C; $49.00&#x7C;$50.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Betsy Graseck &#x7C;Morgan Stanley &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Equal-Weight &#x7C; $56.00&#x7C;$54.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Chris Kotowski &#x7C;Oppenheimer &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Outperform &#x7C; $55.00&#x7C;$54.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;John McDonald &#x7C;Truist Securities &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Buy &#x7C; $53.00&#x7C;$52.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Glenn Schorr &#x7C;Evercore ISI Group &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Outperform &#x7C; $51.00&#x7C;$53.00 &#x7C;
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: In response to dynamic market conditions and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their reaction to recent developments related to Bank of America. This insight gives a snapshot of analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Analyzing trends, analysts offer qualitative evaluations, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of Bank of America compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Delving into movements, analysts provide estimates for the future value of Bank of America's stock. This analysis reveals shifts in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Understanding these analyst evaluations alongside key financial indicators can offer valuable insights into Bank of America's market standing. Stay informed and make well-considered decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BAC/analyst-ratings?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Stay up to date on Bank of America analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Get to Know Bank of America Better</h2>
Bank of America is one of the largest financial institutions in the United States, with more than $3.2 trillion in assets. It is organized into four major segments: consumer banking, global wealth and investment management, global banking, and global markets. Bank of America's consumer-facing lines of business include its network of branches and deposit-gathering operations, retail lending products, credit and debit cards, and small-business services. The company's Merrill Lynch operations provide brokerage and wealth-management services, as does its private bank. Wholesale lines of business include investment banking, corporate and commercial real estate lending, and capital markets operations. Bank of America has operations in several countries but is primarily US-focused.
<h3>Bank of America's Financial Performance</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: The company's market capitalization surpasses industry averages, showcasing a dominant size relative to peers and suggesting a strong market position.
Revenue Growth: Bank of America's remarkable performance in 3M is evident. As of 31 December, 2024, the company achieved an impressive revenue growth rate of 15.43%. This signifies a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company stands out with a growth rate higher than the average among peers in the Financials sector.
Net Margin: The company's net margin is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive net margin of 25.25%, the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost control.
Return on Equity (ROE): Bank of America's ROE is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in efficiently utilizing equity capital. With an ROE of 2.35%, the company may encounter challenges in delivering satisfactory returns for shareholders.
Return on Assets (ROA): The company's ROA is below industry benchmarks, signaling potential difficulties in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 0.19%, the company may need to address challenges in generating satisfactory returns from its assets.
Debt Management: Bank of America's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average. With a ratio of 1.2, the company relies less on debt financing, maintaining a healthier balance between debt and equity, which can be viewed positively by investors.
<h2>The Significance of Analyst Ratings Explained</h2>
Benzinga tracks 150 analyst firms and reports on their stock expectations. Analysts typically arrive at their conclusions by predicting how much money a company will make in the future, usually the upcoming five years, and how risky or predictable that company's revenue streams are.
Analysts attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish their ratings on stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter or whenever the company has a major update.
Beyond their standard evaluations, some analysts contribute predictions for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, furnishing investors with additional guidance. Users of analyst ratings should be mindful that this specialized advice is shaped by human perspectives and may be subject to variability.
Breaking: Wall Street's Next Big Mover
Benzinga's #1 analyst just identified a stock poised for explosive growth. This under-the-radar company could surge 200%+ as major market shifts unfold. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/turning-point-trader-checkout-2/?t=Tu1tu3arja3be22tu36&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantag">Click here for urgent details</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Analyst Expectations For Bank of America's Future

Several CEOs of the largest U.S. banks have recently expressed concerns about the economic fallout, market volatility and broader uncertainty resulting from President Donald Trump's<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/04/44791485/bank-stocks-rebound-above-200-day-average-as-earnings-propel-dip-buyers"> new trade policies.&nbsp;</a>
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>) CEO David Solomon warned of uncertainty and potential turbulence ahead on the company&#8217;s earnings call Monday.&nbsp;
&#8220;This uncertainty around the path forward and fears over the potentially escalating effects of a trade war have created material risks to the U.S. and global economy,&#8221; Solomon told analysts<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/25/04/44802094/tariff-fears-pose-material-risks-to-us-and-global-economies-goldman-sachs-ceo-warns"> on the call</a>.&nbsp;
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/04/44841158/hongkong-post-stops-us-package-service-china-e-commerce-stocks-drop">Hongkong Post Stops US Package Service, China E-Commerce Stocks Drop&nbsp;</a>
Solomon also noted that he hears an even &#8220;greater sense of short-term concern&#8221; from CEOs located outside of the United States.&nbsp;
Last Friday, JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>) CEO Jamie Dimon <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/25/04/44774273/jpmorgan-ceo-jamie-dimon-expects-sp-500-growth-forecast-to-be-cut">pointed out </a>that the analyst community has lowered the consensus S&amp;P 500 growth forecast from 10% to only 5% growth in 2025. He then predicted the forecast to be lowered even further in the near term.&nbsp;
&#8220;My guess is that it [will] be zero and negative five probably the next month," Dimon said.&nbsp;
Dimon has also stated that<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/25/04/44717888/jpmorgan-jamie-dimon-warns-recession-now-likely-outcome"> a recession</a> is now a &#8220;likely outcome&#8221; due to the tariffs, and he expects many companies to withdraw or revise their forecasts because of the unpredictability. He emphasized that while the U.S. remains economically strong, the tariff uncertainty challenges that stability and could have lasting negative consequences. 
&#8220;Take a deep breath, negotiate some trade deals," Dimon urged the Trump administration last week. "It could get worse if we don&#8217;t make progress."
Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) CEO Brian Moynihan spoke about <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/25/04/44829134/bank-of-america-ceo-says-consumers-are-resilient-while-business-owners-worried-as-we-face-a-changing-economy">the effects</a> of economic uncertainty on the mindset of the bank's business-owner clients.&nbsp;
&#8220;They&#8217;re worried about how this will affect their businesses and where they should invest. And I think that&#8217;s slowing down some of their decision paths right now,&#8221; he said, adding that some are considering changing growth plans as well.&nbsp;
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/04/44817229/chinese-tiktok-influencers-expose-cheap-nike-lululemon-suppliers-to-bypass-trump-tariffs">Chinese TikTok Influencers &#8216;Expose&#8217; Cheap Nike, Lululemon Suppliers To Bypass Trump Tariffs&nbsp;</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Politics

Management

Movers

Big Bank CEOs Weigh In On Trump's Turbulent Economy

Argus Research analyst Stephen Biggar maintains Bank of America (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) with a Buy and lowers the price target from $53 to $47.

Argus Research Maintains Buy on Bank of America, Lowers Price Target to $47

RBC Capital analyst Gerard Cassidy maintains Bank of America (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) with a Outperform and lowers the price target from $50 to $45.

RBC Capital Maintains Outperform on Bank of America, Lowers Price Target to $45

Press Releases

BofA Names Jason Edelmann President of Fort Lauderdale

Bank of America Announces Redemptions of $500,000,000 Floating Rate Senior Notes and $3,000,000,000 3.384% Fixed/Floating Rate Senior Notes, Due April 2026

Bank of America to Report First Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Host Investor Conference Call on April 15

AI Adoption by BofA's Global Workforce Improves Productivity, Client Service

Dividends

Bank of America Declares Preferred Stock Dividends Payable in May and June 2025

BofA Launches 'Golf with Us' to Bring Affordable Rounds to More Than 50,000 Youth Nationwide

Bank of America Reports First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

NYSE Content Advisory: Pre-Market update + Bank of America beats earnings estimates

Bank of America Announces Redemption of €1.25 Billion of 0.808% Fixed/Floating Rate Senior Notes, Due May 9, 2026

Bank of America Declares Second Quarter 2025 Stock Dividends

Banco Bradesco Sa American Depositary Shares

Bank Bradesco

Banco Bradesco Sa American Depositary Shares (each representing one Common Share)

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. Common Stock

Barclays

Banco Santander Brasil SA American Depositary Shares, each representing one unit

Banco Santander

Citigroup

First Citizens BancShares, Inc. - Class A Common Stock

First Citizens BancShares

Fifth Third Bancorp

HDFC Bank

HSBC Holdings

ICICI Bank

ING Groep

Itau Unibanco Banco Holding SA American Depositary Shares (Each repstg 500 Preferred shares)

Itau Unibanco Holding

JPMorgan Chase

KB Financial Group

Lloyds Banking Group Plc American Depositary Shares

Lloyds Banking Group

Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. Sponosred ADR (Japan)

Mizuho Financial Gr

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. Common Stock

Mitsubishi UFJ Finl Gr

Nu Holdings

NatWest Group plc American Depositary Shares, (each representing two (2) Ordinary Shares)

NatWest Group

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The) Common Stock

PNC Financial Services Gr

Banco Santander, S.A. Sponsored ADR (Spain)

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc Unsponsored American Depositary Shares (Japan)

Comments

Bank of America

Unusual Options Activity for

Noticias

SOCIO/CONTRIBUIDOR

BENZINGA GLOBAL

Date	Put/Call	Strike Price	Exp Date	DTE	Trade Vol	Day Vol	Vol / OI	OI	Trade Type	Sentiment
02:39 PMMar 28, 2025	PUT	$42.00	Jul 18, 2025	85	2836	2500	67	4235	TRADE	BULLISH
02:10 PMMar 25, 2025	CALL	$55.00	Jan 15, 2027	631	3551	3532	21	17140	TRADE	NEUTRAL