Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC Boosts Stake in Wells Fargo & Company $WFC

Key Points

• Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC increased its stake in Wells Fargo by 10.5% to 239,263 shares, valued at about $20.06 million at the end of the quarter, and institutional investors now own roughly 75.9% of WFC.
• Company insiders have sold a total of 115,000 shares worth about $10.05 million over the last 90 days (including two EVP sales), leaving insiders with only 0.08% ownership.
• Analysts maintain a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" with a mean price target of $97.03, amid recent moves such as Baird upgrading to Neutral ($85), RBC reaffirming Outperform ($100) and UBS keeping a Buy ($113).

Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC lifted its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) by 10.5% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 239,263 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 22,645 shares during the period. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC's holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $20,055,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of WFC. Hilton Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Wells Fargo & Company during the second quarter worth about $3,656,000. Mawer Investment Management Ltd. purchased a new position in Wells Fargo & Company in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $147,165,000. Guerra Advisors Inc raised its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 43.2% during the 3rd quarter. Guerra Advisors Inc now owns 38,439 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $3,222,000 after acquiring an additional 11,594 shares during the period. AlphaQuest LLC lifted its position in shares of 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 worth $2,018,000 after acquiring an additional 22,107 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. boosted its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 52.7% in the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 138,862 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $11,639,000 after acquiring an additional 47,946 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 75.90% of the company's stock.

Wells Fargo & Company News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Wells Fargo & Company this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Baird raised its rating on WFC to Neutral and set an $85 price target, saying recent weakness makes the stock's valuation more realistic and reduces downside risk. Baird Sees Reduced Downside Risk for Wells Fargo & Company (WFC), Rating Raised to Neutral
• Neutral Sentiment: News summaries note WFC is trading higher today, reflecting the market response to the items below. Wells Fargo (WFC) Rises Higher Than Market: Key Facts
• Neutral Sentiment: Wells Fargo’s research desk remains active — recent calls include an upgrade on Qualcomm and buy recommendations around large-cap tech (e.g., Nvidia) and cybersecurity names — which supports the bank’s franchise visibility but is indirect for WFC equity performance. Could Qualcomm Stock Be the Best Data Center Investment Here? Buy Nvidia Shares Ahead of GTC, Says Wells Fargo
• Neutral Sentiment: Wells Fargo initiated coverage and bullish targets on other tech/security names (e.g., Zscaler) and highlighted beaten-down cybersecurity stocks as potential rebound candidates — signals of active research flow rather than direct corporate drivers for WFC. Wells Fargo Calls Zscaler (ZS) Stock a Buy Near 52-Week Lows Wells Fargo Says These 2 Beaten-Down Cybersecurity Stocks Could Rebound to $200
• Neutral Sentiment: Corporate and community moves (e.g., a $200,000 grant to the Idaho FFA Foundation) are positive for reputation and ESG storytelling but have limited near-term market impact. Idaho FFA Foundation Receives $200,000 From Wells Fargo Supporting Grants for Idaho FFA Members
• Negative Sentiment: Technical and valuation headwinds remain — WFC is trading below its 50-day moving average (near-term resistance) and still under its 52-week high, which could limit follow-through upside unless earnings/forward outlooks improve.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Bridget E. Engle sold 30,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $87.10, for a total transaction of $2,613,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 83,478 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $7,270,933.80. This represents a 26.44% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Kleber Santos sold 25,000 shares of Wells Fargo & Company stock in a transaction on Friday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $87.72, for a total transaction of $2,193,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 79,876 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,006,722.72. The trade was a 23.84% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 115,000 shares of company stock worth $10,050,000 in the last ninety days. 0.08% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have commented on WFC. Robert W. Baird upgraded Wells Fargo & Company from an "underperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $85.00 target price for the company in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $100.00 target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a report on Thursday, January 15th. CICC Research initiated coverage on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. They issued a "market perform" rating and a $96.00 price target for the company. UBS Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a $113.00 price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a report on Wednesday, February 4th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Wells Fargo & Company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $97.03.

Wells Fargo & Company Stock Up 1.7%

Shares of NYSE WFC opened at $83.93 on Thursday. Wells Fargo & Company has a one year low of $58.42 and a one year high of $97.76. The stock has a market capitalization of $258.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.39, a PEG ratio of 0.90 and a beta of 1.08. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $90.02 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $86.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.90.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.76 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.66 by $0.10. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 17.27% and a return on equity of 12.90%. The company had revenue of $21.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $21.63 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.43 EPS. The firm's revenue was up 4.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts expect that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wells Fargo & Company Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, March 1st. Investors of record on Friday, February 6th were issued a dividend of $0.45 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 6th. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. Wells Fargo & Company's dividend payout ratio is currently 28.71%.

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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