WFC AI Stock Analysis – Buy, Hold, or Avoid?
Wells Fargo & Company (WFC)
Wells Fargo (WFC) offers a stable, income-oriented profile with solid fundamentals and fair valuation, but faces near-term technical weakness and plateauing growth. While long-term prospects are supported by regulatory relief and operational improvements, current momentum and sentiment are mixed, suggesting limited upside until new catalysts emerge. Investors may consider holding for dividends and potential capital return, but short-term traders should remain cautious.
Fundamentals
Wells Fargo (WFC) demonstrates consistent profitability and generally robust fundamentals, but recent quarters display muted growth and softening in revenue expansion. Despite its scale and efficiency, the bank faces pressure from evolving market conditions and mixed earnings results.
Financial Highlights
- Revenue
- Net Income
- Net Margin (%)
Revenue
7.32% YoY
Q1 2026
Net Income
8.09% YoY
Q1 2026
Net Margin
Q1 2026
Growth Metrics
Revenue Growth YoY
Latest Quarter: Q1 2026
Net Income Growth YoY
Latest Quarter: Q1 2026
Revenue Per Share Growth YoY
Latest Quarter: Q1 2026
EPS Growth YoY
Latest Quarter: Q1 2026
Book Value Per Share Growth YoY
Latest Quarter: Q1 2026
| Q1 2026 | Q4 2025 | Q3 2025 | Q2 2025 | Q1 2025 | Q4 2024 | Q3 2024 | Q2 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 31.8B | 31.8B | 31.9B | 30.2B | 29.6B | 30.6B | 31.7B | 31.6B |
| Revenue Growth YoY | +7.32% | +3.98% | +0.73% | -4.64% | -5.87% | +0.17% | +6.13% | +12.23% |
| Net Income | 5.3B | 5.4B | 5.6B | 5.5B | 4.9B | 5.1B | 5.1B | 4.9B |
| Net Income Growth YoY | +8.09% | +5.55% | +9.29% | +11.89% | +5.95% | +47.39% | -11.32% | -0.57% |
| EPS | $1.62 | $1.69 | $1.68 | $1.61 | $1.41 | $1.45 | $1.43 | $1.35 |
| EPS Growth YoY | +14.89% | +16.55% | +17.48% | +19.26% | +16.53% | +66.67% | -4.03% | +7.14% |
Profitability Metrics
Gross Margin
TTM
Operating Margin
TTM
Net Margin
TTM
Return on Equity
TTM
Return on Assets
TTM
| Q1 2026 | Q4 2025 | Q3 2025 | Q2 2025 | Q1 2025 | Q4 2024 | Q3 2024 | Q2 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Margin | 63.88% | 64.45% | 65.05% | 64.82% | 64.86% | 63.02% | 60.94% | 61.46% |
| Operating Margin | 18.40% | 20.51% | 21.65% | 21.33% | 17.98% | 17.59% | 19.68% | 19.46% |
| Net Margin | 16.64% | 16.85% | 17.52% | 18.20% | 16.52% | 16.60% | 16.15% | 15.51% |
| Return on Equity (ROE) | 2.97% | 2.96% | 3.09% | 3.03% | 2.70% | 2.84% | 2.79% | 2.78% |
| Return on Assets (ROA) | 0.24% | 0.25% | 0.28% | 0.28% | 0.26% | 0.27% | 0.27% | 0.26% |
Technical Analysis
WFC is currently in a strong downtrend confined within a Stage 4 declining phase. Price is trading below key moving averages with a death cross confirmed, indicating bearish technical conditions. Momentum shows weakness with RSI in a neutral zone and ADX signaling a low trend strength, suggesting the downtrend may be stabilizing but no clear reversal is in sight.
No extreme reading
Price in downtrend
Range-bound market
50 below 200 - bearish
Key Technical Values
Price with Moving Averages
50-day, 150-day and 200-day simple moving averages
Relative Strength Index
Momentum oscillator measuring speed and magnitude of price changes
RSI (14)
Earnings
Wells Fargo (WFC) demonstrates consistent profitability and generally robust fundamentals, but recent quarters display muted growth and softening in revenue expansion. Despite its scale and efficiency, the bank faces pressure from evolving market conditions and mixed earnings results.
Latest Earnings
Q1 2026 Earnings (Mar 31, 2026)
Earnings Per Share (EPS)
Actual
$1.56
Estimated
$1.58
Surprise
$-0.02
Surprise %
-1.27%
Revenue
Actual
$21.45B
Estimated
$21.79B
Surprise
-$346.36M
Surprise %
-1.59%
Historical Earnings
| Q1 2026 | Q4 2025 | Q3 2025 | Q2 2025 | Q1 2025 | Q4 2024 | Q3 2024 | Q2 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings Per Share | ||||||||
| EPS (Actual) | $1.56 | $1.62 | $1.73 | $1.54 | $1.27 | $1.42 | $1.52 | $1.33 |
| EPS (Estimated) | $1.58 | $1.66 | $1.55 | $1.41 | $1.23 | $1.32 | $1.28 | $1.29 |
| EPS Surprise | -$0.02 | -$0.04 | +$0.18 | +$0.13 | +$0.04 | +$0.10 | +$0.24 | +$0.04 |
| % Diff | -1.3% | -2.4% | +11.6% | +9.2% | +3.3% | +7.6% | +18.8% | +3.1% |
| Revenue | ||||||||
| Revenue (Actual) | $21.45B | $21.29B | $21.44B | $20.82B | $20.15B | $20.38B | $20.37B | $20.69B |
| Revenue (Estimated) | $21.79B | $21.65B | $21.15B | $20.76B | $20.72B | $20.59B | $20.4B | $20.3B |
| Revenue Surprise | -$346.36M | -$357.32M | +$290.08M | +$66.1M | -$572.21M | -$211.15M | -$36.77M | +$386.13M |
| % Diff | -1.6% | -1.7% | +1.4% | +0.3% | -2.8% | -1.0% | -0.2% | +1.9% |
Valuation
Wells Fargo (WFC) currently trades at valuation metrics reflective of moderate pricing within the banking sector, with a price suggesting near fair value but accompanied by potential upside per analyst targets. Its stable earnings growth, improving margins, and reasonable price multiples relative to peers underline a fundamentally sound investment, although some caution persists around interest coverage and debt leverage. The consensus moderately bullish analyst recommendations and optimistic price targets indicate confidence in the bank's ability to navigate banking sector challenges in 2026.
Valuation Metrics
Price to Earnings
TTM
Price to Sales
TTM
Price to Book
TTM
Enterprise Value to EBITDA
TTM
Enterprise Value to Revenue
TTM
| Q1 2026 | Q4 2025 | Q3 2025 | Q2 2025 | Q1 2025 | Q4 2024 | Q3 2024 | Q2 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price to Earnings | 11.96 | 13.82 | 11.92 | 11.79 | 12.03 | 11.45 | 9.35 | 10.64 |
| Price to Sales | 7.96 | 9.31 | 8.35 | 8.58 | 7.95 | 7.61 | 6.04 | 6.60 |
| Price to Book | 1.42 | 1.64 | 1.47 | 1.43 | 1.30 | 1.30 | 1.04 | 1.18 |
| Enterprise Value to EBITDA | 90.39 | 63.34 | 57.22 | 51.46 | 51.69 | 42.24 | 37.37 | 33.80 |
| Enterprise Value to Revenue | 16.63 | 17.22 | 15.69 | 14.20 | 12.53 | 10.17 | 9.46 | 8.68 |
Sentiment & Analyst Ratings
Wells Fargo (WFC) currently experiences mixed but cautiously optimistic sentiment driven by its return to growth following the lifting of the Federal Reserve's asset cap. Analysts predominantly rate the stock as a Moderate Buy with upside potential reflected in price targets near $97-$98, although recent insider selling and credit loss concerns temper enthusiasm. Retail investor sentiment appears divided, with increased social media chatter and notable options activity indicating both interest and caution.
Analyst Recommendations
Risk Assessment
Wells Fargo shows a mixed risk profile with strong strides in regulatory recovery but notable financial leverage and liquidity constraints typical for large banks. Its regulatory challenges have lessened significantly with the Federal Reserve enforcement action termination, yet exposure to interest rate shifts and commercial real estate risks remain. Market sentiment is moderately positive, reflecting confidence in earnings growth potential despite recent pressure on margins and stock price.
Liquidity & Solvency
Current Ratio
Latest Quarter: Q1 2026
Quick Ratio
Latest Quarter: Q1 2026
Debt-to-Equity
Latest Quarter: Q1 2026
Debt-to-Assets
Latest Quarter: Q1 2026
| Q1 2026 | Q4 2025 | Q3 2025 | Q2 2025 | Q1 2025 | Q4 2024 | Q3 2024 | Q2 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liquidity Metrics | ||||||||
| Current Ratio | 0.34 | 0.29 | 0.27 | 0.28 | 0.27 | 0.27 | 0.28 | 0.28 |
| Quick Ratio | 0.34 | 0.29 | 0.27 | 0.28 | 0.27 | 0.27 | 0.28 | 0.28 |
| Solvency Metrics | ||||||||
| Debt-to-Equity | 2.53 | 2.35 | 2.25 | 2.01 | 1.73 | 1.57 | 1.60 | 1.69 |
| Debt-to-Assets | 0.20 | 0.20 | 0.20 | 0.18 | 0.16 | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.15 |
Liquidity Assessment
Current Ratio: 0.34(Weak)
Quick Ratio: 0.34(Weak)
The company has relatively weak liquidity and may face challenges meeting short-term obligations.
Solvency Assessment
Debt-to-Equity: 2.53(High)
Debt-to-Assets: 0.20(Low)
The company has relatively high debt levels, which may increase financial risk in economic downturns.
Frequently Asked Questions about WFC
AI Answers: Common Questions About WFC
Get AI-powered answers to the questions investors ask most about Wells Fargo & Company
WFC is fairly valued at a P/E of 11.7x and P/B just above 1, with analyst targets suggesting 20-27% upside to ~$97-$98. However, the stock is in a technical downtrend and recent earnings have missed expectations, so it is not an ideal buy right now for momentum or growth investors. Income-focused investors may consider accumulating on further weakness near support.
If you already own WFC, there is no urgent reason to sell given its stable fundamentals and fair valuation, unless your thesis was based on near-term capital gains. Technicals are bearish, so traders may consider reducing exposure, but long-term holders can maintain positions for dividends and potential recovery.
Key risks include high leverage (debt/equity >2.5), interest coverage below 1, rising credit costs (especially in commercial real estate), and ongoing margin compression. Regulatory risks have eased but could resurface, and a macroeconomic downturn could further pressure earnings.
Analyst price targets cluster around $97-$98, implying 20-27% upside from current levels. Technically, key support is at $71.90 (52-week low), with resistance at $80.13 (50 SMA) and $84.38 (200 SMA). A move above $85 would be needed to confirm a reversal.
WFC is trading at a P/E of 11.7x, slightly below peer averages, and a P/S of ~2.4x, indicating fair valuation. EV/EBITDA is 16-18x, in line with sector norms. The stock is neither overvalued nor deeply undervalued, reflecting its stable but unexciting growth outlook.
WFC maintains healthy gross margins (63-65%) and net income margins (~17%), with a strong deposit base and consistent profitability. However, revenue shrank -1.5% YoY in 2025, and recent quarters show slowing growth and minor margin compression. The balance sheet is solid but leverage and liquidity ratios are typical for large banks.
Technical analysis is bearish: the stock is in a Stage 4 downtrend, trading below all key moving averages, with a death cross confirmed and RSI at 34.38 near oversold. No reversal patterns have formed, and support is at $71.90; traders should wait for a base or uptrend before buying.
Key catalysts include upcoming earnings (potential for a positive surprise if credit costs stabilize), further digital banking initiatives, and any macroeconomic shifts such as rate hikes. Watch for improvements in non-interest income, regulatory developments, and signs of technical bottoming.
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