Global Trust Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 8,536 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $796,000.
Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Diversified Trust Co. raised its stake in Wells Fargo & Company by 59.7% during the fourth quarter. Diversified Trust Co. now owns 35,285 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $3,289,000 after buying an additional 13,196 shares in the last quarter. Mawer Investment Management Ltd. acquired a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company during the third quarter valued at approximately $147,165,000. Guerra Advisors Inc raised its stake in Wells Fargo & Company by 43.2% during the third quarter. Guerra Advisors Inc now owns 38,439 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $3,222,000 after buying an additional 11,594 shares in the last quarter. AlphaQuest LLC raised its stake in Wells Fargo & Company by 1,121.0% during the third quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 24,079 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $2,018,000 after buying an additional 22,107 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. raised its stake in Wells Fargo & Company by 52.7% during the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 138,862 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $11,639,000 after buying an additional 47,946 shares in the last quarter. 75.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Insider Buying and Selling
In related news, EVP Bridget E. Engle sold 30,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $87.10, for a total value of $2,613,000.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 83,478 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $7,270,933.80. This trade represents a 26.44% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Ellen R. Patterson sold 60,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $87.40, for a total transaction of $5,244,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 169,496 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,813,950.40. This trade represents a 26.14% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 115,000 shares of company stock valued at $10,050,000 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.14% of the company’s stock.
Wells Fargo & Company Stock Down 0.5%
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.60 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.58 by $0.02. Wells Fargo & Company had a return on equity of 13.27% and a net margin of 17.26%.The business had revenue of $21.45 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $21.85 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.39 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 6.4% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Wells Fargo & Company will post 6.87 earnings per share for the current year.
Wells Fargo & Company Announces Dividend
The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, March 1st. Investors of record on Friday, February 6th were issued a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 6th. Wells Fargo & Company’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 27.78%.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades
A number of analysts have weighed in on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $101.00 to $98.00 and set a “market perform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 15th. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a report on Thursday, March 26th. They set a “buy” rating and a $100.00 target price on the stock. HSBC raised shares of Wells Fargo & Company from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $94.00 target price on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 1st. KGI Securities cut shares of Wells Fargo & Company to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, April 16th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $109.00 to $93.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, March 23rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $97.75.
Key Wells Fargo & Company News
Here are the key news stories impacting Wells Fargo & Company this week:
- Positive Sentiment: CEO Charles Scharf said the U.S. economy is “extremely strong” and warned against cutting rates prematurely amid the Iran conflict — comments that, if they keep rates higher for longer, could support Wells Fargo’s net interest margin. Wells Fargo CEO says reducing interest rates before seeing end to Iran conflict would be a mistake
- Positive Sentiment: Wells Fargo appears on lists of high-dividend picks (not a company endorsement but may attract income-focused buyers); Morgan Stanley adjusted its 2026 outlook after Q1 while keeping an Equal Weight stance. Is Wells Fargo & Company (WFC) Among the 12 High Dividend Stocks Picked by Billionaire Ray Dalio?
- Neutral Sentiment: Wells Fargo research/analyst notes continue to move coverage on other companies (e.g., Sherwin?Williams, Thomson Reuters), which reflects active sell?side positioning but has limited direct impact on WFC equity fundamentals. Wells Fargo Adjusts Sherwin-Williams (SHW) Outlook to Equal Weight
- Neutral Sentiment: Wells Fargo research published bullish macro views on gold (a thematic call) — notable for markets but not a direct driver of WFC’s banking results. Gold Slump Fails To Deter Betting On Currency Debasement
- Negative Sentiment: Market reaction to Wells Fargo’s Q1 was negative: revenue and adjusted EPS missed expectations, and analysts raised questions on expense levels and the sustainability of growth — a primary driver of the share weakness. 5 Must-Read Analyst Questions From Wells Fargo’s Q1 Earnings Call
- Negative Sentiment: Analyst downgrades and lower price targets followed the quarter — KGI cut WFC to Hold ($88 PT) and other shops trimmed targets post?earnings, reducing near?term sentiment. Wells Fargo & Company (WFC) Gets Downgraded to Hold by KGI Securities
- Negative Sentiment: Employment litigation: a former advisor alleges age bias in his 2023 firing — a reputational/legal risk that could draw investor scrutiny if it leads to broader claims or regulatory attention. Wells Fargo Advisor Alleges Age Bias in Firing
- Negative Sentiment: Peer performance context: coverage comparing Wells Fargo to other diversified banks (and Citi’s stronger Q1 metrics) highlights relative execution gaps that can pressure valuation versus peers. Q1 Earnings Highlights: Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) Vs The Rest Of The Diversified Banks Stocks
About Wells Fargo & Company
Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified, U.S.-based financial services company headquartered in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1852 by Henry Wells and William G. Fargo, the firm has evolved from its origins in express delivery and pioneer-era banking into one of the largest full-service banks in the United States. The company provides a broad range of financial products and services to individual, small business, commercial, and institutional clients. Charles W. Scharf serves as chief executive officer.
Wells Fargo operates across several core business segments, including consumer banking and lending, commercial banking, corporate and investment banking, and wealth and investment management.
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