Bitcoin and crypto markets have entered a new phase defined less by speculation and more by portfolio discipline, according to a new note from WisdomTree. Dovile Silenskyte, director of digital assets research at WisdomTree, wrote in a note shared with Decrypt that the days of survival and price discovery are behind crypto traders. "Crypto has moved on from its retail-led, boom-bust adolescence. Infrastructure largely works, regulation is tightening rather than retreating and capital is behaving more li ...

Core Insights - East West Bancorp Inc. (EWBC) is recognized as one of the 10 Best Bank Stocks to Buy in 2026, despite a slight reduction in target price by UBS to $125 from $126, maintaining a Neutral rating on the stock [1][8] Financial Performance - EWBC reported a Q4 net income growth of 21.5% YoY to $356.3 million, up from $293.1 million, resulting in a 103-basis point improvement in return on average common equity to 16.11% from 15.08% [2] - The strong earnings performance enabled EWBC to increase its quarterly dividend by 33% to $0.80 from $0.60, alongside a 15.9% YoY growth in book value per share to $64.68 from $55.79 [2] Revenue Drivers - The earnings growth was primarily fueled by an 11.9% YoY increase in net interest income (NII) to $658 million from $588 million, supported by net interest margin (NIM) expansion and loan growth [3] - NIM improved by 17 basis points to 3.41% from 3.24%, while the cost of deposits decreased by 43 basis points to 2.16% from 2.59%, offsetting a decline in average loan yields [3] Loan Growth - The loan book expanded by 6.0% YoY to $56.9 billion from $53.7 billion, with management projecting a 5% to 7% YoY increase in both loans and net interest income for 2026 [4]

Core Viewpoint - SouthState Bank Corporation (SSB) is recognized as one of the top bank stocks to consider for investment in 2026, with a positive outlook from UBS following strong Q4 2025 results [1][2]. Financial Performance - SSB reported a significant net income growth of 71.8% year-over-year (YoY) in Q4 2025, reaching $247.7 million, up from $144.2 million [3]. - Diluted earnings per share increased by 31.6% YoY to $2.46, compared to $1.87 in the previous year [3]. - Return on average assets improved by 24 basis points YoY to 1.47%, while return on common equity rose by 178 basis points YoY to 10.90% [3]. Revenue Drivers - The strong earnings growth was primarily fueled by a 57.2% YoY increase in net interest income (NII), totaling $581.1 million, up from $369.8 million [4]. - Net interest margin (NIM) expanded by 38 basis points YoY to 3.86%, with average earning asset yields improving by 46 basis points YoY to 5.62% [4]. Asset Growth - Earning assets grew by 41.5% YoY to $59.9 billion, with a notable 43.0% expansion in the loan book, increasing from $33.8 billion to $48.4 billion [5]. - This growth in earning assets was primarily funded by a $17.1 billion YoY increase in deposits, rising from $38.1 billion to $55.1 billion [5]. Asset Quality - Asset quality remained stable, with a slight increase in the net charge-off ratio to 0.09% YoY, while the allowance for credit loss percentage improved to 1.20% [6]. - Provisions for credit losses grew modestly by 3.6% YoY to $6.6 million [6]. Shareholder Actions - The board of directors approved a new stock purchase plan, allowing the repurchase of 5.56 million common shares, approximately 5.6% of the company's weighted average common shares outstanding as of December 31, 2025 [7].

Core Viewpoint - Commerce Bancshares Inc. (CBSH) is recognized as one of the 10 Best Bank Stocks to Buy in 2026, highlighting its strong performance and consistent dividend growth [1]. Dividend Information - The board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.2750 per share, marking a 5% increase from the previous rate of $0.2620, and this is the 58th consecutive year of dividend increases [1][8]. - The payment date for the dividend is set for March 24, with a record date of March 6 [1]. Financial Performance - The Q4 2025 results showed a 3.4% year-over-year growth in attributable net income, increasing from $136.1 million to $140.7 million [2]. - Diluted earnings per share grew by 5.2% year-over-year, rising from $0.96 to $1.01 [2]. Revenue Drivers - The earnings growth was primarily driven by a 6.2% year-over-year increase in net interest income (NII) [3]. - Net interest margin (NIM) expanded by 11 basis points year-over-year to 3.60%, supported by a decrease in average cost of funding to 1.75% [3]. Loan and Deposit Growth - The bank's loan book grew by 3.5% year-over-year, reaching $17.7 billion, with business and consumer loans increasing by 6.0% and 5.4%, respectively [4]. - The loan book growth was supported by a $0.7 billion increase in deposits, totaling $25.6 billion [4].

Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL) is one of the 10 Best Bank Stocks to Buy in 2026. On February 4, UBS trimmed its target price on Western Alliance (WAL) by 0.9% to $106 (from $107) but retained its Buy recommendation on the stock. The firm said in a research note to investors that Q4 2025 results from mid-cap banks were strong and that it did not see any early asset quality concerns. It also thinks that the steepening of the yield curve, combined with faster loan book expansion and more M&A acti ...

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (NASDAQ:HBAN) is one of the 10 Best Bank Stocks to Buy in 2026. On February 9, JPMorgan analyst Andrew Dietrich raised his target price on Huntington Bancshares by 5.0% to $21 (from $20) and kept his Overweight call on the stock. This TP update comes as JPMorgan updated its models for large-cap banks following the release of the 4th quarter results. The firm thinks bank stocks could outperform the broader market in 2026, citing five reasons: (1) Good economic trends, ( ...

Core Viewpoint - Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc. is recognized as one of the top bank stocks to buy in 2026, with a recent price target increase by Evercore ISI to $116, reflecting positive sentiment towards the stock [1][8]. Financial Performance - The company reported a 12.5% year-over-year growth in net income available to common shareholders, reaching $166.0 million, up from $147.5 million [2]. - Diluted earnings per share increased by 11.5% year-over-year to $2.13, compared to $1.91 [2]. Revenue Drivers - Earnings growth was primarily driven by a 12.0% year-over-year increase in net interest income (NII), totaling $407.4 million, up from $363.8 million [3]. - Earning assets grew by 9.5% year-over-year to $51.7 billion, with loans accounting for 82% of this increase, rising 10.3% year-over-year to $39.2 billion [3]. Funding and Asset Growth - The asset base expansion of $4.5 billion was largely funded by a 10.0% year-over-year growth in deposits, which reached $41.9 billion, up from $38.1 billion [4]. - Longer-term debt and other funding sources increased by 9.1% year-over-year to $8.0 billion [4]. Margin and Guidance - Net interest margins (NIM) showed a modest expansion of 5 basis points year-over-year to 3.27% [4]. - Management anticipates $250 million in cost synergies from the merger with Synovus, with a projected consolidated loan book of $91-$93 billion by the end of 2026 [5]. Company Overview - Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc. operates Pinnacle Bank, providing a range of financial services including banking, investment, trust, mortgage, and insurance for both consumer and commercial clients [6].

Truist Financial Corporation (NYSE:TFC) is one of the 10 Best Bank Stocks to Buy in 2026. On February 9, JPMorgan analyst Vivek Juneja raised his target price on Truist Financial by 10.7% to $57.00 (from $51.50) but maintained his Neutral rating on the stock. This target price change comes as JPMorgan updated its large-cap bank forecasts following the release of the 4th quarter results. The firm prefers bank stocks in this market cycle for five reasons. (1) Good economic trends, (2) Steady fundamentals, ...

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK) is one of the 10 Best Bank Stocks to Buy in 2026. JPMorgan raised its target price on BNY Mellon by 2.8% to $128.50 (from $125.00), while reiterating the firm’s Overweight call on the stock. This TP update comes as the firm updated its financial models for large-cap banks, following the release of Q4 2025 earnings. In its other bank TP updates, the firm noted that it prefers the banking sector for this market cycle. BNY Mellon released its Q4 2025 on Jan ...

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) is one of the 10 Best Bank Stocks to Buy in 2026. Baird, on February 13, upgraded Wells Fargo to a Neutral (from Underperform). Despite the rating upgrade, the firm did not change its $85 target price on the company. It noted that the recent selloff in Wells Fargo’s stock (down 8.2% year-to-date) has made the stock’s risk/reward profile look a “little better”. The firm also noted that recent conference updates and presentations (including the UBS Financial Services Confere ...