The earnings call reflects a strong financial performance with significant capital returns and growth in strategic areas, offset by challenges in specific segments like home lending, auto, and commercial real estate. The company has successfully lowered expenses and improved efficiency, contributing to overall positive financial results.

Company Guidance

During the fourth quarter 2024 earnings call, Wells Fargo provided comprehensive guidance for 2025, highlighting several key metrics. The guidance anticipates a 1% to 3% increase in net interest income (NII) compared to 2024, with expectations of modest loan growth across commercial and consumer segments, particularly in the Corporate Investment Bank and credit card portfolios. The company plans to maintain noninterest expenses around $54.2 billion, despite $2.4 billion in expected efficiency savings, by increasing investments in technology and other strategic areas. Additionally, Wells Fargo aims to enhance its return on tangible common equity (ROTCE), which reached 13.4% in 2024, with a medium-term goal of achieving a sustainable 15%, driven by improved profitability in credit card and home lending businesses, as well as growth in wealth and investment management. The call emphasized a disciplined approach to managing expenses, credit quality, and investments, while also acknowledging the impact of macroeconomic factors such as interest rates and market conditions on their financial outlook.

Strong Financial Performance

Net income for the fourth quarter was $5.1 billion, or $1.43 per diluted common share, with a solid underlying business performance and growth in fee income across most categories.

Capital Return and Dividend Increase

Wells Fargo returned $25 billion of capital to shareholders and increased the common stock dividend per share by 15%. The company repurchased approximately $20 billion of common stock, up 64% from a year ago.

Progress in Credit Card Business

Over 2.4 million new credit card accounts were opened in 2024, with strong credit card spend up over $17 billion from a year ago.

Improved Efficiency and Lower Expenses

Noninterest expense declined 12% from a year ago, driven by lower FDIC expenses and efficiency initiatives resulting in headcount reductions every quarter since Q3 2020.

Investment in Strategic Growth Areas

Wells Fargo made significant investments in areas like technology, digital platforms, and customer growth initiatives, including hiring more bankers and financial advisers.

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Wells Fargo (WFC) Earnings, Revenues Date & History

The upcoming earnings date is based on a company’s previous reporting, and may be updated when the actual date is announced

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WFC Earnings History

Report Date	Fiscal Quarter	Forecast / EPS	Last Year's EPS	EPS YoY Change	Slides	Play Transcript
Oct 12, 2018	2018 (Q3)	- / 1.13	0.84	34.52% (+0.29)	―	―
Jan 15, 2019	2018 (Q4)	- / 1.21	1.16	4.31% (+0.05)	―	―
Apr 12, 2019	2019 (Q1)	- / 1.20	1.12	7.14% (+0.08)	―	―
Jul 16, 2019	2019 (Q2)	- / 1.30	0.98	32.65% (+0.32)	―	―
Oct 15, 2019	2019 (Q3)	- / 0.92	1.13	-18.58% (-0.21)	―	―
Jan 14, 2020	2019 (Q4)	- / 0.60	1.21	-50.41% (-0.61)	―	―
Apr 14, 2020	2020 (Q1)	- / 0.01	1.2	-99.17% (-1.19)	―	―
Jul 14, 2020	2020 (Q2)	- / -0.66	1.3	-150.77% (-1.96)	―	―
Oct 14, 2020	2020 (Q3)	- / 0.42	0.92	-54.35% (-0.50)	―	―
Jan 15, 2021	2020 (Q4)	- / 0.64	0.6	6.67% (+0.04)	―	―

The table shows recent earnings report dates and whether the forecast was beat or missed. See the change in forecast and EPS from the previous year.

Beat

Missed

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WFC Earnings-Related Price Changes

Report Date	Price 1 Day Before	Price 1 Day After	Percentage Change
Jan 15, 2025	$71.19	$75.95	+6.69%
Oct 11, 2024	$57.42	$60.64	+5.61%
Jul 12, 2024	$59.36	$55.79	-6.01%
Apr 12, 2024	$55.62	$55.40	-0.40%

Earnings announcements can affect a stock’s price. This table shows the stock's price the day before and the day after recent earnings reports, including the percentage change.

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