Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (NYSE:BBVA) Reaches New 52-Week High - Is It Time to Buy?

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (NYSE:BBVA) saw its shares soar to a new 52-week high on Tuesday when the stock reached $12.20. The trading volume was substantial, with 861,376 shares exchanged hands, up from a previous closing price of $11.88.

Analyst Ratings and Recommendations

Several analysts have recently revised their views on Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, providing insights for potential investors. Notably, HSBC Global Research upgraded the bank's rating from "hold" to "strong-buy" in a report published on January 31st. Additionally, StockNews.com increased its rating from "hold" to "buy" on November 12th.

In total, one research analyst has assigned a sell rating, another has given a hold rating, while one has deemed it a buy and two have expressed a strong buy sentiment. According to MarketBeat.com data, the consensus rating for Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria currently stands at a "Moderate Buy".

Performance Overview

The company's performance metrics are worth noting. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria has a 50-day simple moving average of $10.44 and a 200-day simple moving average of $10.23. With a market capitalization of $71.24 billion, the bank reports a price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of 6.74 and a price-to-earnings growth (PEG) ratio of 0.76. The bank also has a beta value of 1.27, suggesting some volatility.

Financially, the bank's debt-to-equity ratio stands at 1.16, with a current ratio of 1.01 and a quick ratio of 0.27. According to their latest earnings report released on February 4th, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria reported earnings of $0.44 per share, exceeding analyst expectations of $0.40 per share.

The bank's return on equity is notable at 17.49%, while operating with a net margin of 28.10%. Analysts predict the bank will report earnings per share (EPS) of 1.59 for the current fiscal year.

Recent Institutional Trading Activities

Recently, many hedge funds have adjusted their stakes in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria. For instance, FMR LLC increased its ownership by 5.7% in the third quarter, acquiring an additional 344,355 shares, bringing its total to 6,370,344 shares valued at approximately $69,055,000. Meanwhile, American Century Companies Inc. expanded its stake by 7.5% during the fourth quarter and now holds 2,226,849 shares worth about $21,645,000.

Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. grew its holdings by 5.8% in the third quarter to reach 1,270,460 shares valued at $13,772,000, and QRG Capital Management Inc. upped its stake by 4.0% in the fourth quarter, totaling 1,043,054 shares valued at around $10,138,000. Additionally, US Bancorp DE increased its holdings by 1.7% in the third quarter, ending up with 945,836 shares worth $10,253,000. Currently, institutional investors own approximately 2.96% of the stock.

Company Profile

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. offers a range of services, including retail and wholesale banking, as well as asset management. The bank operates in various regions, including the United States, Spain, Mexico, Turkey, and South America. It specializes in providing savings accounts, demand deposits, and time deposits, in addition to a range of loan products that include residential mortgages, credit card loans, and loans for households and enterprises.

Conclusion: Should You Invest?

As shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria reach new heights, prospective investors may wonder if now is the right time to invest. With a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and positive earnings reports, the outlook appears promising. However, it's advisable to consider broader market conditions and individual investment strategies before making a decision.

Banking, Investment, Stocks