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Jim Cramer Says Bank Stocks Are 'All Cheap' — But This One Name Is 'The Cheapest Of All,' Has The 'Most Upside' - Capital One Finl (NYSE:COF)
Benzinga· 2025-12-10 09:04
Core Viewpoint - Jim Cramer believes that the banking sector is undervalued, presenting a significant investment opportunity, particularly highlighting Capital One Financial Corp. as the most promising stock in the sector [1][2]. Company Overview - Capital One Financial Corp. is identified as the sixth-largest bank in the United States, with a recent acquisition of Discover Financial Services valued at $35.4 billion, expected to yield substantial synergies [3]. - The company holds $56.92 billion in excess capital, allowing for potential stock buybacks, and trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 10.91 [4]. Stock Performance - Year-to-date performance for Capital One is +29.15%, with a forward P/E ratio of 10.91, making it one of the cheaper stocks in the banking sector [5]. - Other banks in comparison include JPMorgan Chase (+25.21%), Wells Fargo (+26.64%), and Citigroup (+56.46%) [5]. Analyst Sentiment - Wolfe Research has initiated coverage on Capital One with an "Overweight" rating and a target price of $270, indicating a potential upside of 16.97% [6]. - Citigroup has reiterated a "Buy" rating, raising its target from $275 to $290, suggesting a 25.64% upside from current levels [6]. Sector Performance - The banking sector has performed well this year, bolstered by the successful passing of the 2025 Federal Reserve stress test, which allowed major banks to return $100 billion through dividends and buybacks [7].