Wells Fargo Stock Falls Despite Q2 Beat: Buy, Sell or Hold?
Wells Fargo's reported $11.9 billion in net interest income came in well below the $12.1 billion analysts were expecting.


Wells Fargo (WFC) stock is down more than 6% at the start of trading Friday after the banking giant beat analysts’ expectations on the top and bottom lines for its second quarter, but its net interest income, a key metric for banks, failed to meet expectations.
In the quarter ended June 30, Wells Fargo’s revenue increased 0.8% year-over-year to $20.7 billion despite a 9.4% year-over-year decline in net interest income to $11.9 billion. Its earnings per share (EPS) increased 6.4% to $1.33 from the year-ago period.
“Our efforts to transform Wells Fargo were reflected in our second quarter financial performance as diluted earnings per common share grew from both the first quarter and a year ago,” Wells Fargo CEO Charlie Scharf said in a statement.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Wells Fargo Q2 earnings report
The headline results beat analysts’ expectations. Wall Street was anticipating revenue of $20.3 billion and earnings of $1.29 per share, according to CNBC. However, the reported $11.9 billion in net interest income came in well below the $12.1 billion analysts were expecting.
“We continued to see growth in our fee-based revenue offsetting an expected decline in net interest income,” Scharf said. “The investments we have been making allowed us to take advantage of the market activity in the quarter with strong performance in investment advisory, trading, and investment banking fees.”
Wells Fargo also said it repurchased over $12 billion of common stock during the first half of the year and reiterated its expectation of a 14% dividend increase in the third quarter, which it first announced in late June following the release of the Federal Reserve’s stress test results. Stock buybacks can boost value for shareholders.
JP Morgan Chase (JPM) and Citigroup (C) reported earnings this morning as well, as the start of a busy earnings calendar for this season.
JP Morgan reported revenue of $51 billion and earnings of $4.40 per share, topping expectations of revenue of $49.9 billion and earnings of $4.19 per share. Citigroup also reported a beat with revenue of $20.1 billion and EPS of $1.52 versus expectations of revenue of $20.07 billion and earnings of $1.39 per share.
Is Wells Fargo stock a buy, sell or hold?
Wall Street is bullish on the bank stock. According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, the average analyst target price for WFC stock is $64.16, representing implied upside of more than 14% to current levels. Additionally, the consensus recommendation is a Buy.
Related Content
- The Best Financial Stocks to Buy
- Earnings Calendar and Analysis for This Week
- Analysts' Top S&P 500 Stocks to Buy Now
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

Joey Solitro is a freelance financial journalist at Kiplinger with more than a decade of experience. A longtime equity analyst, Joey has covered a range of industries for media outlets including The Motley Fool, Seeking Alpha, Market Realist, and TipRanks. Joey holds a bachelor's degree in business administration.
-
Stock Market Winners and Losers of the 'Big, Beautiful' Bill
Defense, manufacturing and tech should prosper, while health care and green energy stocks face hurdles.
-
I'm a Financial Planner: Here's How to Invest Like the Wealthy, Even if You Don't Have Millions
Private market investments, once exclusive to the ultra-wealthy and institutions, have become more accessible to individual investors, thanks to regulatory changes and new investment structures.
-
Four Ways a Massive Emergency Fund Can Hurt You More Than It Helps
Saving too much could mean you're missing opportunities to put your money to work. Redirect some of that money toward paying off debt, building retirement funds, fulfilling a dream or investing in higher-growth options.
-
With Buffett Retiring, Should You Invest in a Berkshire Copycat?
Warren Buffett will step down at the end of this year. Should you explore one of a handful of Berkshire Hathaway clones or copycat funds?
-
I'm a Financial Planner: How to Dodge a Retirement Danger You May Not Have Heard About
Timing is everything, and sequence of returns risk can mean the difference between a retirement nest egg that's overflowing … or empty.
-
Caring for Aging Parents: An Expert Guide to Easing the Financial and Emotional Strain
Early conversations, financial planning and understanding the progression of care needs can help to mitigate stress and protect family relationships.
-
Dow Adds 238 Points as UNH, CAT Pop: Stock Market Today
The lack of a September jobs report didn't seem to worry market participants, with the data delayed due to the ongoing government shutdown.
-
I'm a Financial Adviser: The OBBB Is a Reminder for Older People to Have a Long-Term Plan
The new tax bill presents a good opportunity for retirees to revisit tax plans, look into doing some Roth conversions and consider plans for long-term care.