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In this article, we discuss 14 best financial stocks to buy now. If you want to read about some more financial stocks, go directly to 5 Best Financial Stocks To Buy Now.
Unprecedented levels of uncertainty in the past few years have helped finance stocks demonstrate their ability to be resilient during times of crisis, boosting investor confidence and resulting in a flurry of new activity in the sector. However, per research firm Deloitte, the war in Ukraine, inflation, supply chain disruptions, and the possibility of regional or global recession in 2023 still loom as near-term challenges for the industry, as more regulation and requirements around transparency also become marketplace realities.
Some of the best finance stocks to monitor in this macro environment include Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA), PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:PYPL), and JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM). As rising interest rates increase the earnings of banks overnight, recession fears continue to make investors think twice about investments in the sector. In this context, banks are leaning on the lessons learned from the uncertainty of the past few years to focus on smart strategy and execution that relies on talent, technology, risk, and purpose to drive growth.
Our Methodology
The companies that operate in the financial sector were selected for the list. In order to provide readers with some context for their investment choices, the business fundamentals and analyst ratings for the stocks are also discussed. Data from around 900 elite hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey in the second quarter of 2022 was used to identify the number of hedge funds that hold stakes in each firm.
Investments, Finance
Best Financial Stocks To Buy Now
14. Coinbase Global, Inc. (NASDAQ:COIN)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 29
Coinbase Global, Inc. (NASDAQ:COIN) provides financial infrastructure and technology for the crypto economy. It is one of the best financial stocks to invest in. The company recently said it resolved technical issues that had prevented US bank account users from making payments or withdrawals for most of the day. The firm has been on a downward spiral in the last few weeks on the back of worsening crypto futures even as analysts remain bullish on the long-term prospects of crypto technology.
On September 14, JPMorgan analyst Kenneth Worthington maintained a Neutral rating on Coinbase Global, Inc. (NASDAQ:COIN) stock and raised the price target to $78 from $64, highlighting that Coinbase has a substantial revenue opportunity that originates from higher interest rates.
At the end of the second quarter of 2022, 29 hedge funds in the database of Insider Monkey held stakes worth $1.2 billion in Coinbase Global, Inc. (NASDAQ:COIN), compared to 46 in the preceding quarter worth $2.3 billion.
Just like Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA), PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:PYPL), and JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM), Coinbase Global, Inc. (NASDAQ:COIN) is one of the best financial stocks to buy now according to hedge funds.
In its Q2 2022 investor letter, Miller Value Partners, an asset management firm, highlighted a few stocks and Coinbase Global, Inc. (NASDAQ:COIN) was one of them. Here is what the fund said:
“Coinbase Global Inc. Ordinary Shares (NASDAQ:COIN) fell during the quarter as the crypto markets continued to suffer. While the company reported disappointing results, it committed to capping EBITDA losses at $500M even in the event of “a prolonged market downturn”. COIN’s ample liquidity ($6b in cash on hand) should enable them to survive a prolonged “crypto winter” and invest to strengthen the business in the downturn. While the crypto market is early in its adoption, Coinbase is focused on building the platform for crypto not only supporting trading, and cold storage, but moving into NFTs, staking, and crypto derivatives. We see tremendous upside potential for COIN over the next decade if they are able to successfully execute on their platform strategy.”
13. Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 50
Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF) operates as the financial services holding company for several financial institutions in the US. It is one of the top financial stocks to invest in. Reports indicate that a recent phishing campaign has targeted the bank's new partnership with verification service Authentify. In the campaign, thousands of scam emails were sent to the bank's customers to try and trick them into uploading images of their identification cards.
On September 26. Piper Sandler analyst Kevin Barker maintained a Neutral rating on Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF) stock and lowered the price target to $110 from $125, noting that the rapid rise in Fed funds combined with outsized loan growth has led to a significant increase in funding costs for digitally-based depositories.
Among the hedge funds being tracked by Insider Monkey, Washington-based investment firm Fisher Asset Management is a leading shareholder in Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF), with 7.85 million shares worth more than $818 million.
In its Q4 2021 investor letter, Davis Funds, an asset management firm, highlighted a few stocks and Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF) was one of them. Here is what the fund said:
“The absolute level of revenues and profits generated by such companies is in fact so large that most of the major financial holdings in the portfolio produce enough annual operating income individually that a number of them could, in theory, purchase several entire businesses among hundreds of choices within the S&P 1500 Index, using just a year’s cash earnings without dipping into capital. This is theoretical, as financial companies would not be in the business of buying healthcare or technology companies, for example, but we point out these facts to illustrate the sheer scale of the economics produced by single financial companies in a given year, which is often a multiple of the cash earnings yielded by companies in a host of other industries.
Given this cash-generation power, we are naturally drawn to what we believe are strong and profitable financial institutions when the price is right. Presently, we believe the valuations of our financial holdings are not only reasonable, but extremely compelling, and our portfolio composition reflects this view. Representative financial holdings in the Fund includes Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF).”
12. Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 58
Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) is a financial holding company that provides various financial products and services to corporations, governments, financial institutions, and individuals. It is one of the premier financial stocks to invest in. In August 2022, the company filed with the SEC to launch six ESG ETFs, the first foray into the US ETF space since the pioneering WEBS products were introduced in the 1990s. The proposed ETFs are likely to be listed in the fourth quarter of 2022 or in early 2023.
On September 12, investment advisory Deutsche Bank maintained a Hold rating on Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) stock and lowered the price target to $92 from $105. Analyst Matt O'Connor issued the ratings update.
Among the hedge funds being tracked by Insider Monkey, New York-based investment firm Eagle Capital Management is a leading shareholder in Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS), with 13.98 million shares worth more than $1 billion.
In its Q2 2022 investor letter, Matrix Asset Advisors, an asset management firm, highlighted a few stocks and Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) was one of them. Here is what the fund said:
“Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) is one of the world’s leading investment banks and wealth management firms. As the company has grown its wealth management business its earnings have become more predictable and valuable. The management team is very shareholder-friendly, allocating funds not needed to grow the business to repurchase shares and raise their dividend. In late June, the company announced an 11% increase in its dividend and a $20 billion multi-year share repurchase program. The company’s annual dividend of $3.10 per share provides a current dividend of 3.7% at the June 30 closing price.”
11. Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (NYSE:FIS)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 67
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (NYSE:FIS) provides technology solutions for merchants, banks, and capital markets firms worldwide. It is one of the elite financial stocks to invest in. On August 4, the firm posted earnings for the second quarter of 2022, reporting earnings per share of $1.90, beating estimates by $0.29. The revenue over the period was $2.63 billion. The firm said it was pleased with its adjusted pre-tax title earnings of $529 million and adjusted pre-tax title margin of 18.9% during the second quarter.
On September 23, Deutsche Bank analyst Bryan Keane maintained a Hold rating on Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (NYSE:FIS) stock and lowered the price target to $90 from $116, noting that the company remains committed to utilizing excess free cash flow for share repurchases next year.
At the end of the second quarter of 2022, 67 hedge funds in the database of Insider Monkey held stakes worth $3.3 billion in Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (NYSE:FIS), compared to 68 in the preceding quarter worth $3.95 billion.
In its Q1 2022 investor letter, Weitz Investment Management, an asset management firm, highlighted a few stocks and Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (NYSE:FIS) was one of them. Here is what the fund said:
“Other fiscal-year detractors included Fidelity National Information Services (NYSE:FIS). FIS has been our most disappointing investment in the Covid era. Unlike Meta, the stock trades well below our average cost. The business itself has been relatively durable, but the stock certainly has not. While the core elements of our bullish thesis remain firmly intact, hindsight tells us that we could have waited for a better entry point. From today’s stock price, which is what matters now, we think the risk/reward balance is favorable.”
10. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 69
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) is a financial institution that provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It is one of the most prominent financial stocks to invest in. The bank recently announced that it was expanding Transaction Banking to the European Union. Originally launched in the US in 2020 and expanded to the UK in 2021, this growth aims to deepen the relationships with existing clients who have banking needs in the EU.
On September 12, investment advisory Deutsche Bank maintained a Hold rating on The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) stock and lowered the price target to $370 from $430. Analyst Matt O'Connor issued the ratings update.
At the end of the second quarter of 2022, 69 hedge funds in the database of Insider Monkey held stakes worth $4.6 billion in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS), compared to 71 the preceding quarter worth $4.6 billion.
In its Q2 2022 investor letter, GoodHaven Capital Management, an asset management firm, highlighted a few stocks and The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) was one of them. Here is what the fund said:
“Other activity in the period included eliminating our holding in PG&E and adding a few new holdings – the luxury furniture and lifestyle company RH (formerly Restoration Hardware) and The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS). A few important developments changed at PG&E including higher future capex plans and changes in long-term guidance, and so we changed our mind and sold. Purchases were made on a handful of occasions in 2020 and mid-2021 at an approximate average price of $9.20 and fully sold during February 2022 at an approximate average price of $11.42, earning approximately 24%. We have for some time admired what RH’s unique leader Gary Friedman and his team have built at RH and what we think the future holds. After the shares declined more than 30% from the early December 2021 high, we established a position and have increased our holdings more recently. Referring to RH as a furniture company is technically accurate, but a very incomplete description of where the company is headed. Gary has a unique blend of management skills and we look forward to writing about this holding and potentially materially increasing the position opportunistically, cognizant that the coming housing market slowdown will likely negatively impact results at RH as well. We also initiated a position in Goldman Sachs at an inexpensive valuation and are attracted by the potential durability of the company’s ability to generate high returns on equity driven in part by the growth in their existing and new franchises.”
9. Block, Inc. (NYSE:SQ)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 72
Block, Inc. (NYSE:SQ) creates tools that enable sellers to accept card payments and provides reporting and analytics, and next-day settlement. It is one of the best financial stocks to invest in. The firm recently announced that it had begun integrating the Square merchant ecosystem with Afterpay in Canada. The integration aims to provide Buy Now, Pay Later functionality to sellers using the e-commerce products of Block.
On August 8, Mizuho analyst Dan Dolev maintained a Buy rating on Block, Inc. (NYSE:SQ) stock and lowered the price target to $125 from $135, noting that the company's Q2 results were fine, but lacked the pop of quarters past.
Among the hedge funds being tracked by Insider Monkey, Florida-based investment firm ARK Investment Management is a leading shareholder in Block, Inc. (NYSE:SQ), with 9.1 million shares worth more than $799 million.
In its Q2 2022 investor letter, Baron Funds, an asset management firm, highlighted a few stocks and Block, Inc. (NYSE:SQ) was one of them. Here is what the fund said:
“Block, Inc. (NYSE:SQ) provides point-of-sale technology to small businesses and operates the Cash App ecosystem of financial services for individuals. Shares fell due to mixed quarterly results with more modest growth in the Seller business offsetting strength in Cash App. While integration of recently acquired Afterpay is progressing well and credit metrics remain healthy, the buy-now-pay-later business slowed due to greater competitive intensity. We continue to own the stock due to Block’s long runway for growth, sustainable competitive advantages, and unique corporate culture.”
Given this cash-generation power, we are naturally drawn to what we believe are strong and profitable financial institutions when the price is right. Presently, we believe the valuations of our financial holdings are not only reasonable, but extremely compelling, and our portfolio composition reflects this view. Representative financial holdings in the Fund includes Wells Fargo.”
8. Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 82
Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) is a financial services holding company that provides various financial products and services to consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions. The company has recently snatched another senior dealmaker from Credit Suisse. The beleaguered Swiss lender is preparing for a major restructuring of its investment bank after a series of scandals.
On September 12, Deutsche Bank analyst Matt O'Connor maintained a Hold rating on Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) stock and lowered the price target to $52 from $55, highlighting that the banks have underperformed this year largely driven by recession fears.
At the end of the second quarter of 2022, 82 hedge funds in the database of Insider Monkey held stakes worth $7.4 billion in Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C), compared to 88 in the previous quarter worth $8.1 billion.
In its Q1 2022 investor letter, Diamond Hill Captital, an asset management firm, highlighted a few stocks and Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) was one of them. Here is what the fund said:
“Shares of Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) declined in the quarter as investors became increasingly negative on capital markets activity. The company is also continuing to divest certain consumer banking geographies which may be dilutive to earnings in the near term.”
7. Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 83
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) is a diversified financial services company that provides banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services. Mike Santomassimo, the CFO of the firm, recently said that lending growth is moderating from strong levels seen during the second quarter as the US economy slows. During the second quarter, the loans for the firm grew to $926.6 billion from $898.0 billion in Q1, and deposits of $1.45 trillion during the time slid from $1.46 trillion in Q1.
On October 5, Goldman Sachs analyst Richard Ramsden upgraded Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) to Buy from Neutral with a price target of $48, up from $46, noting that the company given its "best-in-class" revenue upside and efficiency improvement from interest rates.
At the end of the second quarter of 2022, 83 hedge funds in the database of Insider Monkey held stakes worth $5.2 billion in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC), compared to 93 in the previous quarter worth $6.9 billion.
In its Q4 2021 investor letter, Davis Funds, an asset management firm, highlighted a few stocks and Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) was one of them. Here is what the fund said:
“The absolute level of revenues and profits generated by such companies is in fact so large that most of the major financial holdings in the portfolio produce enough annual operating income individually that a number of them could, in theory, purchase several entire businesses among hundreds of choices within the S&P 1500 Index, using just a year’s cash earnings without dipping into capital. This is theoretical, as financial companies would not be in the business of buying healthcare or technology companies, for example, but we point out these facts to illustrate the sheer scale of the economics produced by single financial companies in a given year, which is often a multiple of the cash earnings yielded by companies in a host of other industries."
6. S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 84
S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI) provides credit ratings, benchmarks, analytics, and workflow solutions in the global capital, commodity, and automotive markets. The firm recently announced that it had partnered with Tradeweb Markets, a global operator of electronic marketplaces for rates, credit, equities, and money markets to introduce electronic connectivity between primary and secondary markets.
On August 29, Oppenheimer analyst Owen Lau maintained an Outperform rating on S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI) stock and raised the price target to $419 from $404, noting that the large stabilization in capital markets injects confidence that the shares can regain their footing.
Among the hedge funds being tracked by Insider Monkey, investment firm TCI Fund Management is a leading shareholder in S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI), with 8.8 million shares worth more than $2.96 billion.
Along with Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA), PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:PYPL), and JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM), S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI) is one of the best financial stocks to buy now according to hedge funds.
In its Q2 2022 investor letter, Baron Funds, an asset management firm, highlighted a few stocks and S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI) was one of them. Here is what the fund said:
“Another example is S&P Global (NYSE:SPGI), the leading rating agency and data provider, whose stock declined 29.0% year-to-date and 17.5% during the second quarter as a result of growing investor concerns over the slowdown in debt issuance. While debt issuance volumes have seen a dramatic decline – the worst quarterly decline in a decade (down 41% year-over-year in the second quarter based on Goldman Sachs estimates), – and this led management to withdraw its 2022 guidance in early June, we do not believe it would result in a permanent loss of capital.
First, ratings represent only about 30% of S&P Global’s total revenues. Second, despite inherent volatility in quarterly or annual issuance, over the long-term issuance volumes follow the trends in levels of debt outstanding, which has compounded in the mid-single digits for many years. Lastly, we believe that S&P Global’s strong competitive positioning will enable it to continue benefiting from pricing power, while taking advantage of secular tailwinds such as the growth in passive and ESG investing, international expansion, and the growing demand for data analytics.”
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Disclosure. None. 14 Best Financial Stocks To Buy Now is originally published on Insider Monkey.
