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Wells Fargo (WFC)
NYSE:WFC

Wells Fargo (WFC) AI Stock Analysis

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WFC

Wells Fargo

(NYSE:WFC)

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Neutral 59 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:59Neutral
Price Target:
$88.00
▲(4.06% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/25/26
The score is held back primarily by weak and volatile cash flow (including sharply negative 2025 operating cash flow) and bearish technical momentum (price below key moving averages with negative MACD). Offsetting factors include reasonable valuation metrics and a constructive earnings-call outlook for 2026 NII growth and capital targets, with corporate updates mildly supportive.
Positive Factors
Stronger capital and leverage
Wells Fargo’s materially larger equity base and lower debt-to-equity (from ~1.57–1.60 to ~1.07) and a CET1 around 10.6% create a durable capital buffer. That strengthens resilience to cyclical stress, supports measured capital returns and allows the bank to pursue lending growth without destabilizing capital ratios.
Diversified NII and fee revenue growth
Management’s guidance for NII (~$50B) alongside mid-single-digit loan and deposit growth and rising fee-based revenue indicates a balanced revenue mix. Growing loan balances and wealth/investment fees reduce reliance on volatile trading income and support more predictable earnings across rate cycles.
Regulatory progress and management execution
Removal of the Fed’s asset cap and closure of consent orders reflect tangible regulatory remediation and improved controls. That structural shift reduces an overhang on strategy, permits scaled balance-sheet growth, and signals management can implement capital and efficiency plans more effectively over the medium term.
Negative Factors
Volatile and weak cash generation
A swing to a large negative operating cash flow in 2025 highlights balance-sheet-driven cash volatility. Such swings can constrain internal funding for buybacks or investments, complicate liquidity planning, and make capital actions and reserve management more difficult during adverse macro scenarios.
Commercial real estate (office) stress
Rising commercial net charge-offs driven by office CRE and lower coverage ratios indicate a structural asset-quality headwind. Persistent CRE office weakness can require elevated provisions, depress ROE, and add uncertainty to risk-weighted asset growth and capital planning over multiple quarters.
Rising expense base and restructuring costs
Planned increases in noninterest expense for technology, investments, and assessments, alongside meaningful severance, create a structural margin challenge. Higher recurring operating costs reduce the net benefit of revenue gains and force difficult trade-offs between efficiency savings and necessary strategic investments.

Wells Fargo (WFC) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Wells Fargo Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionWells Fargo & Company, a diversified financial services company, provides banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through four segments: Consumer Banking and Lending; Commercial Banking; Corporate and Investment Banking; and Wealth and Investment Management. The Consumer Banking and Lending segment offers diversified financial products and services for consumers and small businesses. Its financial products and services include checking and savings accounts, and credit and debit cards, as well as home, auto, personal, and small business lending services. The Commercial Banking segment provides financial solutions to private, family owned, and certain public companies. Its products and services include banking and credit products across various industry sectors and municipalities, secured lending and lease products, and treasury management services. The Corporate and Investment Banking segment offers a suite of capital markets, banking, and financial products and services to corporate, commercial real estate, government, and institutional clients. Its products and services comprise corporate banking, investment banking, treasury management, commercial real estate lending and servicing, equity, and fixed income solutions, as well as sales, trading, and research capabilities services. The Wealth and Investment Management segment provides personalized wealth management, brokerage, financial planning, lending, private banking, and trust and fiduciary products and services to affluent, high-net worth, and ultra-high-net worth clients. It also operates through financial advisors. Wells Fargo & Company was founded in 1852 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
How the Company Makes MoneyWells Fargo generates revenue primarily through interest income from loans and investments, as well as non-interest income from fees for services. Key revenue streams include interest earned on commercial and consumer loans, residential mortgages, and credit card lending. Additionally, the company earns fees from wealth management services, investment banking, and transaction services. Significant partnerships with various financial institutions and businesses enhance its product offerings and customer reach. Factors contributing to its earnings include the management of interest rates, loan demand, and the overall economic environment.

Wells Fargo Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Average Loans by Segment
Average Loans by Segment
Shows the distribution of loan portfolios across various segments, indicating lending focus and potential exposure to credit risk or growth opportunities.
Chart InsightsWells Fargo's average loans in Consumer Banking and Lending have been declining since 2022, while Corporate and Investment Banking loans are rebounding in 2025 after a dip. The earnings call highlights a strategic shift with the lifting of the asset cap, allowing for broader growth, particularly in investment banking. Despite challenges in commercial real estate, the bank's focus on efficiency and increased capital returns, such as stock buybacks and dividends, suggests a robust strategy to enhance shareholder value amidst evolving market dynamics.
Data provided by:The Fly

Wells Fargo Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jan 14, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Apr 14, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call highlights meaningful progress across profitability, revenue growth, capital returns and strategic transformation: strong full-year net income, EPS growth, improved ROTCE, loan and deposit growth, and continued cost-efficiency gains. Management provided constructive 2026 NII and business growth targets while also planning disciplined investments in technology, wealth and markets. Key challenges include near-term severance and higher operating investments driving expense growth, margin pressure if rates decline, and isolated credit stress in CRE office loans. On balance the company appears to be transitioning from constraint to growth with strong capital and clear priorities, while acknowledging execution and macro risks.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Recordable Profitability and EPS Growth
Full-year net income of $21.3 billion and diluted EPS growth of 17% year-over-year; fourth-quarter net income ~$5.4 billion and Q4 diluted EPS of $1.62, up 13% YoY (ex-severance EPS $1.76).
Improved ROTCE and Mid-Term Target
Return on tangible common equity (ROTCE) rose to 15% in 2025 (vs. 8% in late 2020). Management set a new medium-term ROTCE target of 17%–18%.
Revenue Growth and Fee-Based Momentum
Fee-based (noninterest) revenue increased ~5% YoY (+$419 million); investment advisory and brokerage/asset-based fees grew (investment advisory +8%) supported by higher market valuations and accelerating net asset flows.
Net Interest Income Expansion and 2026 Outlook
Net interest income (NII) of $47.5 billion in 2025; company expects total NII of ~$50 billion in 2026 and NII ex-markets to rise from $46.7 billion in 2025 to approximately $48 billion in 2026; markets NII targeted at ~$2 billion in 2026.
Balance Sheet and Loan Growth
Average loans increased by $49.4 billion (about +5% YoY); period-end loans grew ~5% linked quarter (strongest linked-quarter growth since Q1 2020); assets up 11% YoY since lifting of asset cap, reflecting broad-based loan growth and increased trading assets.
Deposit Growth and Lower Funding Cost
Average deposits rose $23.9 billion YoY while average deposit costs declined ~29 basis points YoY; management expects mid-single-digit average deposit growth in 2026 with stronger growth in interest-bearing deposits.
Capital Returns and Capital Position
Returned $23 billion of excess capital in 2025: dividend per share up 13% and $18 billion of share repurchases during the year (including $5 billion in Q4). CET1 ratio remained strong at 10.6% (well above regulatory minimum + buffers).
Consumer Product Momentum
Opened nearly 3 million new credit card accounts in 2025 (+21% YoY) with card balances up ~6% YoY; auto loan balances up 19% YoY and auto originations more than doubled YoY; mobile active customers grew by ~1.4 million (+4% YoY); 50% of consumer checking accounts opened digitally.
Commercial & Capital Markets Progress
Investment banking fees up 11% for the full year; M&A ranking improved to 8th in 2025 (from 12th in 2024); trading-related assets increased ~50% in 2025 to support markets and client financing activities.
Expense Discipline and Efficiency Savings
Noninterest expense declined ~$174 million YoY in 2025; management delivered roughly $15 billion in gross expense savings over five years and expects ~ $2.4 billion gross expense reductions in 2026 while continuing targeted investments.
Negative Updates
Severance and Near-Term Charges
Fourth-quarter severance expense of $612 million (primarily for actions in 2026) and $908 million of severance in second half of 2025; Q4 severance lowered but remains a meaningful near-term headwind to EPS.
Expense Base Expected to Rise in 2026
Management expects noninterest expense to increase to approximately $55.7 billion in 2026 (from $54.8 billion in 2025) driven by ~$1.1 billion incremental technology, ~$800 million other investments, ~$800 million higher performance/benefit-related costs, and a ~$400 million higher FDIC assessment.
Margin Pressure and Rate-Change Headwinds
Guidance assumes 2–3 Fed rate cuts in 2026 which is a modest headwind to NII; growth in lower-margin markets financing assets may partially compress aggregate margins despite higher NII dollars.
Commercial Real Estate — Office Losses and Asset Quality
Commercial net loan charge-offs increased QoQ (commercial NCOs +4 bps QoQ) driven by commercial real estate losses predominantly in the office portfolio; nonperforming assets modestly increased QoQ and CRE office coverage in the Corporate Investment Banking portfolio declined to 10.1%.
Home Lending Contraction
Home lending revenue declined ~6% YoY due to lower loan balances; management continues to reduce the servicing portfolio (reduced servicing by $90 billion in 2025) and headcount in home lending down >50% over three years — signaling continued run-off of that business.
Volatility and Uncertainty in Fee Revenue
Certain fee lines (trading, investment advisory, underwriting) are volatile and sensitive to market conditions; management warns markets NII growth may be partially offset by lower noninterest income, making near-term revenue lumpy.
Allowance Coverage and Provisioning Dynamics
Allowance for credit losses for loans was relatively stable but coverage ratios declined modestly; management expects provision expense could rise in 2026 to set reserves for expected loan growth.
Capital Allocation Trade-offs and Uncertainty on Repurchases
While management returned significant capital in 2025, it expects share repurchases to be lower in 2026 as capital is optimized (target CET1 of ~10%–10.5%); balance-sheet growth and RWA expansion may constrain buybacks relative to 2025 levels.
Company Guidance
The company gave detailed 2026 guidance: total net interest income is expected to be about $50 billion (±), with markets NII growing to roughly $2 billion and NII excluding markets to about $48 billion (2025 NII was $47.5B and NII ex‑markets $46.7B); key assumptions include 2–3 Fed rate cuts and relatively stable 10‑year Treasury rates, with average loans and average deposits each expected to grow mid‑single digits from Q4 2025 to Q4 2026 (Q4 tailwind/headwind and a Q1 decline in NII due to 2 fewer days noted). On expenses, 2026 noninterest expense is projected at ≈$55.7 billion (2025: $54.8B), reflecting ~ $2.4 billion of gross expense reductions from efficiency initiatives offset by ~$1.1 billion of incremental technology spend, ~$800 million of higher Wealth & Investment revenue‑related expenses, ~$800 million of other investments/merit, and a ~$400 million higher FDIC assessment (and an expected ~$700 million reduction in severance versus 2025); first‑quarter personnel costs are seasonally higher by about $700 million. Capital and returns targets were reiterated: CET1 managed to ~10.0–10.5% (Q4 CET1 10.6%), ROTCE of 17–18% medium term (2025 ROTCE was 15%), and capital actions will be more measured in 2026 (repurchases down from $18B in 2025 and $5B in Q4 as excess capital optimization continues).

Wells Fargo Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Profitability and capital profile are solid (net margin ~17% in 2025; leverage improved with debt-to-equity ~1.07; ROE ~11–12%), but cash generation is a major concern given sharply negative operating cash flow and free cash flow in 2025, indicating high volatility in underlying cash movements.
Income Statement
74
Positive
Revenue has been relatively stable over the last few years, with 2025 essentially flat versus 2024 after a strong rebound in 2022–2023. Profitability is solid for a large diversified bank: 2025 net margin was ~17% (up from ~16% in 2024), and operating profitability also improved year over year. A key weakness is volatility across the cycle (notably the sharp profitability drop in 2020 and unusually high margin levels in 2021), which signals earnings can swing meaningfully with credit/macro and rate conditions.
Balance Sheet
71
Positive
The balance sheet shows a large, well-capitalized equity base (~$181B in 2025) and improving leverage: debt-to-equity declined to ~1.07 in 2025 from ~1.57–1.60 in 2023–2024, indicating a stronger capital posture. Returns on equity have also improved versus 2022 and remain around ~11–12% in 2024–2025, which is healthy. The main risk is that absolute debt remains high for the business (~$193B in 2025) and leverage has historically been higher, so capital strength is good but not immune to stress.
Cash Flow
38
Negative
Cash generation is the weak spot: operating cash flow turned sharply negative in 2025 (-$19.0B) after modestly positive levels in 2024 and strong inflows in 2022–2023. Free cash flow mirrors this pattern (negative in 2025 and also negative in 2021), highlighting volatility in cash movements year to year. While banks’ cash flow lines can be lumpy due to balance-sheet dynamics, the swing to a large negative figure in the most recent year is a clear near-term concern.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue123.53B125.40B115.34B83.44B83.08B
Gross Profit80.04B77.96B77.20B72.83B83.32B
EBITDA29.35B30.92B27.91B22.46B37.45B
Net Income21.34B19.72B19.14B13.68B22.11B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets2.15T1.93T1.93T1.88T1.95T
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments252.75B363.46B362.61B272.75B411.47B
Total Debt193.03B281.88B297.15B226.01B195.10B
Total Liabilities1.97T1.75T1.75T1.70T1.76T
Stockholders Equity181.12B179.12B185.74B180.23B187.61B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-19.00B3.04B40.36B27.05B-11.53B
Operating Cash Flow-19.00B3.04B40.36B27.05B-11.53B
Investing Cash Flow-187.90B-15.65B16.04B-42.48B-7.62B
Financing Cash Flow177.59B-21.53B20.49B-59.65B-11.24B

Wells Fargo Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price84.57
Price Trends
50DMA
90.98
Negative
100DMA
87.64
Negative
200DMA
82.79
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-1.17
Positive
RSI
37.48
Neutral
STOCH
22.71
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For WFC, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 84.57 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 89.44, below the 50-day MA of 90.98, and above the 200-day MA of 82.79, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -1.17 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 37.48 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 22.71 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for WFC.

Wells Fargo Risk Analysis

Wells Fargo disclosed 27 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Wells Fargo reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Wells Fargo Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (68)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
78
Outperform
$299.51B18.458.66%4.14%-9.54%-22.46%
78
Outperform
$85.50B12.0912.16%3.77%2.91%33.77%
68
Neutral
$18.00B11.429.92%3.81%9.73%1.22%
67
Neutral
$801.83B14.8716.06%1.79%1.89%12.32%
65
Neutral
$363.58B13.4010.23%1.93%0.15%33.84%
59
Neutral
$261.54B13.6011.85%1.80%-4.37%26.41%
58
Neutral
$191.66B15.846.72%1.94%-0.62%105.57%
* Financial Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
WFC
Wells Fargo
84.57
9.74
13.02%
BAC
Bank of America
50.41
7.47
17.40%
C
Citigroup
109.56
32.49
42.16%
HSBC
HSBC Holdings
87.88
32.69
59.24%
JPM
JPMorgan Chase
297.30
43.71
17.24%
USB
US Bancorp
55.03
10.79
24.39%

Wells Fargo Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyDividends
Wells Fargo to Fully Redeem Series BB Preferred Stock
Positive
Feb 25, 2026

On Feb. 25, 2026, Wells Fargo announced it will fully redeem all 140,400 outstanding shares of its 3.90% Fixed Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Perpetual Class A Preferred Stock, Series BB, on March 15, 2026, with settlement shifting to March 16, 2026 due to a non-business day. The move will also redeem all 3,510,000 related depositary shares at $25,000 per preferred share and $1,000 per depositary share, leaving no Series BB instruments outstanding once the transaction is completed.

Because the redemption date coincides with a dividend payment date, regular quarterly dividends declared for Series BB preferred and depositary shares will be paid separately on March 16, 2026 to holders of record as of Feb. 27, 2026. Wells Fargo indicated that all regulatory requirements and covenants restricting redemption have been satisfied, underscoring continued active management of its capital structure and preference share base.

The most recent analyst rating on (WFC) stock is a Buy with a $94.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Wells Fargo stock, see the WFC Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board ChangesStock BuybackDividendsFinancial DisclosuresRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Wells Fargo Board Approves CEO Charles Scharf’s 2025 Compensation
Positive
Jan 29, 2026

In 2025, Wells Fargo’s independent directors approved total compensation of $40 million for Chairman and CEO Charles W. Scharf, following a recommendation from the Board’s Human Resources Committee based on a broad review of company and individual performance across financial and non-financial measures. The decision reflects board recognition of Scharf’s leadership in closing seven regulatory consent orders, securing the removal of the Federal Reserve’s asset cap, strengthening risk and control infrastructure, and driving improved financial metrics including net income of $21.3 billion, a 17% rise in diluted EPS, a higher ROE of 12.4% versus 11.4% in 2024, and fee-based revenue growth of 5%, while maintaining disciplined expenses, returning roughly $23 billion to shareholders through dividends and buybacks, and establishing a new medium-term ROTCE target of 17–18%.

The most recent analyst rating on (WFC) stock is a Buy with a $95.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Wells Fargo stock, see the WFC Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyLegal Proceedings
Wells Fargo Wins Preliminary Approval of Derivative Settlement
Positive
Jan 22, 2026

On January 13, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted preliminary approval for a proposed settlement of shareholder derivative litigation against Wells Fargo & Company tied to the bank’s home mortgage lending and diversity-related hiring practices. The consolidated action, filed beginning in September 2022, alleged that certain current and former directors breached fiduciary duties by failing to adequately oversee fair lending controls and by allowing allegedly misleading statements about hiring practices that led the company to repurchase stock at inflated prices; the defendants deny all allegations. Following extensive motion practice, including partial dismissals in 2024 and early 2025, broad discovery, and expert work on lending practices, governance, and damages, the parties entered mediation in August 2025 and ultimately reached a settlement under which any benefits will accrue to Wells Fargo itself rather than directly to individual shareholders. The court has scheduled a settlement hearing for May 5, 2026, to assess whether the deal is fair and in the best interests of the company and its investors, a step that, if finalized, would remove a significant strand of ongoing governance and conduct litigation facing the bank and clarify potential exposure tied to its mortgage and diversity practices.

The most recent analyst rating on (WFC) stock is a Hold with a $97.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Wells Fargo stock, see the WFC Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyStock BuybackFinancial DisclosuresRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Wells Fargo posts strong Q4 results, boosts outlook
Positive
Jan 14, 2026

On January 14, 2026, Wells Fargo reported fourth-quarter 2025 net income of $5.4 billion, or $1.62 per diluted share, and $5.8 billion, or $1.76 per share, excluding a $612 million severance charge. Quarterly revenue rose to $21.3 billion from $20.4 billion a year earlier, while noninterest expense declined slightly and provision for credit losses eased to $1.04 billion. Average loans increased to $955.8 billion and average deposits to $1.38 trillion, driven by growth across consumer, commercial, corporate and investment banking, and wealth and investment management segments, with notable double-digit year-over-year loan and deposit growth in corporate and investment banking and in wealth and investment management. The bank reported a return on equity of 12.3% and return on tangible common equity of 14.5%, repurchased 58.2 million shares worth $5.0 billion in the quarter, and highlighted the 2025 removal of the Federal Reserve’s asset cap and the termination of multiple consent orders as strengthening its regulatory standing and supporting a higher medium-term ROTCE target of 17–18%.

The most recent analyst rating on (WFC) stock is a Buy with a $113.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Wells Fargo stock, see the WFC Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
Wells Fargo Announces Redemption of Debentures
Neutral
Dec 12, 2025

On December 12, 2025, Wells Fargo announced the redemption of its Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due January 15, 2027, with the optional prepayment date set for January 15, 2026. This redemption will remove a covenant that previously restricted Wells Fargo’s ability to repurchase or redeem its 3.90% Fixed Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Perpetual Class A Preferred Stock, Series BB, potentially impacting the company’s financial flexibility and stakeholder interests.

The most recent analyst rating on (WFC) stock is a Buy with a $104.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Wells Fargo stock, see the WFC Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Feb 25, 2026