Bank of America’s Q4 2018 profit tripled to a record $7.3 billion, owing to strong performance from its consumer-banking business and the lower corporate tax rate. On the back of this better-than-expected performance, shares of the company rose by +7.16% on Wednesday of last week. Another confidence booster for the investor community was the bank's announcement to buy back shares (common stock) worth $26 billion.
The company's net interest income for the fourth quarter, a widely followed measure of profitability for banks, touched 2.48% versus analyst expectations of 2.45%.
This is not the only quarter the bank performed better than expected. In Q3, the banks earnings per share stood at 73 cents compared to analysts' estimate of 63 cents, whereas the $22.7 billion revenue generated during the third-quarter surpassed the expected $22.397.
According to CEO Brian Moynihan, operating leverage based on disciplined expense management, solid asset quality, and loan and deposit growth drove this quarter's results.
Profits in consumer banking business grew by 52% on a y-o-y basis to $3.3 billion, whereas the loan book increased by about 1.9%. Credit and debit card spending also expanded by 6%.
However, like most banks BAC faltered in the fixed-income trading business, where revenue fell by 15% to $1.45 billion compared to analysts estimates of $1.62 billion. This decline, however, was nicely offset by an 11% rise in equities trading revenue to $1.1 billion. Overall, sales and trading revenue grew by 1% on a y-o-y basis to $2.6 billion.
Other banks topping expectations this week include Goldman Sachs (GS), Wells Fargo (WFC) and Citigroup (C).
The 10-day RSI Oscillator for BAC moved out of overbought territory on August 13, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is shifting from an upward trend to a downward trend. Traders may want to look at selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 47 instances where the indicator moved out of the overbought zone. In of the 47 cases the stock moved lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of a move down at .
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on August 19, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on BAC as a result. In of 75 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for BAC turned negative on August 17, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 46 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In of the 46 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at .
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where BAC declined for three days, the price rose further in of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
The Stochastic Oscillator is in the oversold zone. Keep an eye out for a move up in the foreseeable future.
Following a 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where BAC advanced for three days, in of 342 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .
BAC may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In of 286 cases where BAC Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are .
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating outstanding price growth. BAC’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating well-balanced risk and returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 20, placing this stock slightly worse than average.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (1.562) is normal, around the industry mean (1.897). P/E Ratio (14.247) is within average values for comparable stocks, (15.307). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.050) is also within normal values, averaging (1.603). Dividend Yield (0.018) settles around the average of (0.026) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (3.882) is also within normal values, averaging (3.937).
The average fundamental analysis ratings, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, are as follows
a major bank
Industry MajorBanks