WAL - WAL

Dernières nouvelles pour Western Alliance (NYSE:WAL) Stock

Western Alliance

Western Alliance Bancorporation is a Las Vegas-based holding company with regional banks operating in Nevada, Arizona, and California. The bank offers retail banking services and focuses on mortgages for retail customers and commercial loans. The company's reportable segments are Commercial segment includes provides commercial banking and treasury management products and services to small and middle-market businesses, specialized banking services to sophisticated commercial institutions and investors within niche industries, as well as financial services to the real estate industry. Consumer Related segment offers both commercial banking services to enterprises in consumer-related sectors and consumer banking services, such as residential mortgage banking. Corporate & Other.

Western Alliance Bancorporation Common Stock (DE)

Western Alliance Bancorp

Waldencast PLC

MegaWatt Lithium and Battery Metals Corp Ordinary Shares

MEGAWATT LITHM&BATT MTLS by MEGAWATT LITHIUM & BATTERY METALS CORP.

MegaWatt Lithium and Battery Metals Corp

Western Alliance Bancorporation Depositary Shares, Each Representing a 1/400th Interest in a Share of 4.250% Fixed-Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A

JP Morgan analyst Steven Alexopoulos maintains Western Alliance (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WAL#NYSE">WAL</a>) with a Overweight and raises the price target from $100 to $107.

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JP Morgan Maintains Overweight on Western Alliance, Raises Price Target to $107

The third-quarter earnings season for U.S. banks will officially kick off this Friday, with major financial institutions like JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>), Wells Fargo Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>), and Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BK#NYSE">BK</a>) set <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/10/41216873/us-banks-earnings-preview-soft-landing-hopes-interest-rate-cuts-key-catalysts-for-stocks">to report their results. </a>
The following Tuesday will see additional earnings releases from mega-cap players such as Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>), Goldman Sachs Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>), and Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/C#NYSE">C</a>), as well as some regional banks.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Banking Sector Performance So Far In 2024</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="447" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/09104754/image-66-1024x447.png" alt="" class="wp-image-587909" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/09104754/image-66-1024x447.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/09104754/image-66-300x131.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/09104754/image-66-768x336.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/09104754/image-66-1536x671.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/09104754/image-66.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chart:<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent100924&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"> Benzinga Pro</a></figcaption></figure>
Thus far, in 2024, the banking sector has shown strong performance. The Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLF#NYSE">XLF</a>), which tracks major financial stocks, has risen 21% year-to-date, matching the performance of the broader market as represented by the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>).
However, regional banks have lagged behind their larger counterparts. The SPDR S&amp;P Regional Banking ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KRE#NYSE">KRE</a>) is up just 6% year-to-date, though it has outperformed over the past three months. This recent rebound is largely due to falling inflation and increasing expectations of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.
With earnings season approaching, the question on many investors&#8217; minds is whether large banks will maintain their positive performance gap over regional players or if recent market developments will impact their results and outlooks. 
Here&#8217;s what Wall Street analysts are saying ahead of the bank earnings season.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Analyst Expectations And Top Picks</h3>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">RBC Capital Markets – Gerard Cassidy, co-head of global financials research</h4>
&#8220;We believe the set-up looks very good for banks over the next 12-18 months. We expect the Federal Reserve to cut short-term interest rates by 200-250 basis points over this period, and the finalization of the Basel III &#8216;endgame&#8217; proposal will allow banks to return excess capital through buybacks and dividends. We continue to recommend an overweight position in bank stocks.&#8221;
<ul>
<li>Top Picks (RBC holds earnings per share estimates for both above Street consensus for the third quarter)
<ul>
<li>Truist Financial Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TFC#NYSE">TFC</a>)</li>
<li>KeyCorp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KEY#NYSE">KEY</a>)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. – Anthony Elian, CFA</h4>
&#8220;As the Federal Reserve reduces rates, several industry headwinds could turn into tailwinds.&#8221; This includes:
<ol>
<li>Lower deposit costs, improving net interest margins (NIMs)</li>
<li>An uptick in commercial loan demand</li>
<li>Easing credit quality concerns, particularly for banks with commercial real estate (CRE) exposure</li>
<li>A resumption of buyback programs as reserves are released</li>
<li>Increased exit market and venture capital activity.</li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>Top Picks:
<ul>
<li>First Citizens Bancshares Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCNCA#NYSE">FCNCA</a>)</li>
<li>Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WAL#NYSE">WAL</a>)</li>
<li>Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PNFP#NASDAQ">PNFP</a>)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Wedbush Securities – David J. Chiaverini, CFA</h4>
&#8220;We expect mixed trends for banks in Q3, with modest loan and deposit growth, stabilizing deposit mix shifts, and NIMs benefiting from fixed asset repricing. Some banks will be more positively positioned than others in this environment.&#8221;
<ul>
<li>Top Picks:
<ul>
<li>M&amp;T Bank Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MTB#NYSE">MTB</a>)</li>
<li>Wintrust Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WTFC#NASDAQ">WTFC</a>)</li>
<li>Columbia Banking Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COLB#NASDAQ">COLB</a>) Wedbush believes Columbia Banking Systems will benefit from a lower rate environment as it is liability-sensitive, unlike most banks that are asset-sensitive.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Bank of America – Ebrahim H. Poonawala</h4>
&#8220;We favor regional banks over large money centers heading into Q3, given better net interest income (NII) defensibility and greater capital relief as mark-to-market losses on bond books decrease. Our top ideas going into Q3 earnings include a mix of regionals and larger financial institutions.&#8221;
<ul>
<li>Top Picks:
<ul>
<li>U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/USB#NYSE">USB</a>)</li>
<li>Western Alliance Bancorporation </li>
<li>PNC Financial Services Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PNC#NYSE">PNC</a>)</li>
<li>Fifth Third Bancorp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FITB#NYSE">FITB</a>)</li>
<li>M&amp;T Bank Corp.</li>
<li>Truist Financial Corporation</li>
<li>Morgan Stanley (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MS#NYSE">MS</a>)</li>
<li>Goldman Sachs Inc.</li>
<li>Bank of New York Mellon Corp.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Goldman Sachs – Richard Ramsden</h4>
Goldman Sachs is particularly optimistic about Citigroup heading into Q3 earnings, citing the bank's progress toward its 2024 targets driven by strong fee growth, solid capital markets activity, and robust card volumes. 
Ramsden is above consensus on Citigroup's Q3 pre-provision net revenue (PPNR), largely due to expectations of higher fees and capital markets activity.
<ul>
<li>Top Pick:
<ul>
<li>Citigroup (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/C#NYSE">C</a>)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/10/41249837/s-p-500-earnings-season-kicks-off-why-analysts-call-this-quarter-a-stock-pickers-paradise">S&amp;P 500 Earnings Season Kicks Off: Why Analysts Call This Quarter &#8216;A Stock Picker&#8217;s Paradise&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
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Macro Economic Events

Mid Cap

Sector ETFs

Small Cap

Econ #s

Economics

ETFs

COLB

FCNCA

FITB

PNFP

WTFC

Banks Gear Up For Earnings Season: 15 Top Stock Picks Including Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, And Truist

As U.S. banks prepare to report their third-quarter earnings, investor attention is focused on the potential for a soft landing in the economy, Federal Reserve rate cuts, and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/banks">their impact on bank valuations. </a>
Analysts at Bank of America remain cautiously optimistic about the outlook for bank stocks. They predict that a soft-landing scenario could trigger a rebound in customer activity, improve loan growth, and positively drive higher price-to-earnings (P/E) multiples for the sector. However, macro uncertainties, including Fed policy shifts and the upcoming U.S. elections, temper the enthusiasm.
Bank of America equity analyst Ebrahim H. Poonawala highlighted in a note Monday that rate cuts could be &#8220;structurally bullish&#8221; for bank earnings per share (EPS) outlooks and stock P/E multiples. A softer rate environment is expected to reinvigorate customer activity, particularly in investment banking, mortgage lending, and loan growth.
However, lower interest rates are expected to negatively impact &#8220;asset-sensitive banks&#8221; as loan yields will drop.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/10/41212796/tesla-robotaxi-day-preview-move-over-autonomous-vehicles-analyst-says-this-positive">Tesla Robotaxi Day Preview: Move Over Autonomous Vehicles, Analyst Says This &#8216;Positive Catalyst&#8217; Could Be More Important</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Political Risks Loom Large Ahead of Elections</h3>
The upcoming U.S. election adds an additional layer of uncertainty for banks. 
&#8220;A&nbsp;Trump win is likely seen as positive for relief on the regulatory/M&amp;A fronts.&nbsp;Democratic sweep likely most negative outcome for the sector given potential for higher taxes, more of the same (or worse) on regulatory changes,&#8221; analysts wrote.
While current valuations appear cautiously optimistic about a soft landing, political outcomes could trigger volatile movements in the sector. A Trump win would likely lead to a &#8220;knee-jerk&#8221; positive reaction in bank stocks, while a Democratic win could weigh on sentiment.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Regional Banks Preferred Over Money Center Banks</h3>
For the third quarter of 2024, the investment bank favored regional banks, as tracked by the SPDR S&amp;P Regional Banking ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KRE#NYSE">KRE</a>), over large money center banks, citing &#8220;better defensibility of net interest income (NII).&#8221;
Regionals have greater flexibility with deposits, better hedging strategies, and more potential for capital relief as mark-to-market losses on bond books decline. 
Key picks include U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/USB#NYSE">USB</a>), Western Alliance (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WAL#NYSE">WAL</a>), PNC Financial (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PNC#NYSE">PNC</a>), Fifth Third (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FITB#NASDAQ">FITB</a>), M&amp;T Bank (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MTB#NYSE">MTB</a>), and Truist Financial (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TFC#NYSE">TFC</a>).
First Bancorp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FBP#NYSE">FBP</a>) is seen as the &#8220;best positioned to navigate current rate expectations,&#8221; while Texas Capital Bancshares Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TCBI#NASDAQ">TCBI</a>) is the most impacted.
On Monday, Bank of America also downgraded Comerica Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMA#NYSE">CMA</a>) from &#8220;Neutral&#8221; to &#8220;Underperform,&#8221; reducing the price target from $55 to $52. Analyst Brandon Berman highlighted that the positive rate trade underpinning Comerica &#8220;has run its course,&#8221; and the stock now trades above the high end of its historical range, not reflecting the risk of downward earnings revisions.
Looking ahead, Friday, Oct. 11, will see key earnings reports from JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>), Wells Fargo Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>), and Bank of New York Mellon (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BNY#NYSE">BNY</a>).
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/10/41214476/will-kamala-harriss-media-blitz-including-60-minutes-and-call-her-daddy-improve-her-2024-el">Will Kamala Harris&#8217;s Media Blitz, Including &#8217;60 Minutes&#8217; And &#8216;Call Her Daddy,&#8217; Improve Her 2024 Election Prospects?</a></li>
</ul>
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Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

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TCBI

US Banks Earnings Preview: Soft-Landing Hopes, Interest Rate Cuts, Key Catalysts For Stocks

Wells Fargo analyst Timur Braziler maintains Western Alliance (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WAL#NYSE">WAL</a>) with a Equal-Weight and raises the price target from $85 to $92.

Wells Fargo Maintains Equal-Weight on Western Alliance, Raises Price Target to $92

Kevin Merritt, the research director at Wedbush Securities,<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premarket-prep"> joined Benzinga's PreMarket Prep Wednesday </a>and highlighted the firm's top bank picks, opportunities in beaten-down names and more. Merritt also spoke about the adoption of AI, and which companies will benefit from the technology in the medium to long term. Merritt pointed out that despite the rally in large-cap techs largely driven by AI, it's a "mixed bag" in regards to which companies are the winners and losers of machine learning. 
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Slow And Steady &#x7C; PreMarket Prep" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qvFe8gmisfo?start=1782&#038;feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div>
</figure>
"I do think there's going to be a fairly heated debate about who else benefits or loses… IT services right now is quite a mixed bag," Merritt said. "The likes of Accenture has had some tough quarters over the last year… quite a bit of debate about cannibalization vs opportunity." Merritt highlighted Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>) as a company that has already capitalized on AI growth, while others, like Accenture Plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ACN#NYSE">ACN</a>), are expected to take longer to realize revenue gains from AI adoption. But, Merritt said that as more corporations adopt AI, IT and tech consulting companies like Accenture should benefit in the long term. Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/09/41024168/bill-gates-uses-chatgpt-daily-microsoft-founder-shares-what-he-loves-most-about-ai-chatbot">Bill Gates Uses ChatGPT Daily: Microsoft Founder Shares What He Loves Most About AI Chatbot</a> Outside of tech and AI, Merritt pointed to the regional banking sector as one to watch. He said that Wedbush has recently become more bullish on the sector as economic conditions stabilize as the Fed cuts interest rates. "We have been quite cautious on the regional and mid-cap bank group for the past couple of years and we just recently in the past couple of months turned to a more balanced, neutral sector view,&#8221; Merritt said. &#8220;And the thought being that to the extent the economy is able to hang in there, credit metrics don't exhibit too much deterioration, and you see rates move in a more favorable direction, it's appropriate to have a more balanced stance." Merritt highlighted Western Alliance Bancorp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WAL#NYSE">WAL</a>) as a name that Wedbush analysts recently selected for the firm's "Best Ideas" list. Merritt also mentioned Comerica Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMA#NYSE">CMA</a>) as a regional bank that Wedbush upgraded. Keep Reading: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/08/40581306/can-regional-banks-outperform-large-institutions-as-fed-rate-cuts-loom-small-banks-are-plenty-ch">Can Regional Banks Outperform Large Institutions As Fed Rate Cuts Loom? &#8216;Small Banks Are Plenty Cheap,&#8217; But… </a> Merritt and the PreMarket Prep hosts also talked about some beaten-down retail investor favorites like Starbucks Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>), Nike Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NKE#NYSE">NKE</a>) and Celsius Holdings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CELH#NASDAQ">CELH</a>). Merritt said that he believes newly-appointed Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol will have a &#8220;heavy lift&#8221; to turn the story around, but that there could be "strategic value" in Celsius's stock. 
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</ul>
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

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Interview

General

CELH

PLTR

SBUX

AI's Uneven Growth, Regional Bank Picks, And Beaten-Down Retail Stocks In Focus As Wedbush Analyst Shares Insights

In the latest quarter, 13 analysts provided ratings for Western Alliance (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WAL#NYSE">WAL</a>), showcasing a mix of bullish and bearish perspectives.
The table below summarizes their recent ratings, showcasing the evolving sentiments within the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">5</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">6</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">5</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Insights from analysts' 12-month price targets are revealed, presenting an average target of $89.23, a high estimate of $105.00, and a low estimate of $74.00. Witnessing a positive shift, the current average has risen by 15.42% from the previous average price target of $77.31.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727200809_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Analyzing Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Breakdown</h2>
The perception of Western Alliance by financial experts is analyzed through recent analyst actions. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>David Chiaverini</td>
<td>Wedbush</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brandon King</td>
<td>Truist Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$88.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Steven Alexopoulos</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bernard von-Gizycki</td>
<td>Deutsche Bank</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$83.00</td>
<td>$62.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ebrahim Poonawala</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$98.00</td>
<td>$82.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brandon King</td>
<td>Truist Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$88.00</td>
<td>$74.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jon Arfstrom</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$87.00</td>
<td>$78.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Timur Braziler</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$85.00</td>
<td>$68.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jared Shaw</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$92.00</td>
<td>$86.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Matthew Clark</td>
<td>Piper Sandler</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$93.00</td>
<td>$76.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jon Arfstrom</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$78.00</td>
<td>$76.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brandon King</td>
<td>Truist Securities</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$74.00</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Casey Haire</td>
<td>Jefferies</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$77.00</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts respond to changes in market conditions and company performance, frequently updating their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to Western Alliance. This information offers a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Gaining insights, analysts provide qualitative assessments, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings reflect expectations for the relative performance of Western Alliance compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts navigate through adjustments in price targets, providing estimates for Western Alliance's future value. Comparing current and prior targets offers insights into analysts' evolving expectations.</li>
</ul>
To gain a panoramic view of Western Alliance's market performance, explore these analyst evaluations alongside essential financial indicators. Stay informed and make judicious decisions using our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/WAL/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Western Alliance analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Unveiling the Story Behind Western Alliance</h2>
Western Alliance Bancorporation is a Las Vegas-based holding company with regional banks operating in Nevada, Arizona, and California. The bank offers retail banking services and focuses on mortgages for retail customers and commercial loans. The company's reportable segments are Commercial segment includes provides commercial banking and treasury management products and services to small and middle-market businesses, specialized banking services to sophisticated commercial institutions and investors within niche industries, as well as financial services to the real estate industry. Consumer Related segment offers both commercial banking services to enterprises in consumer-related sectors and consumer banking services, such as residential mortgage banking. Corporate &amp; Other.
<h3>Western Alliance: Financial Performance Dissected</h3>
Market Capitalization: With restricted market capitalization, the company is positioned below industry averages. This reflects a smaller scale relative to peers.
Revenue Growth: Western Alliance displayed positive results in 3 months. As of 30 June, 2024, the company achieved a solid revenue growth rate of approximately 4.53%. This indicates a notable increase in the company's top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company stands out with a growth rate higher than the average among peers in the Financials sector.
Net Margin: The company's net margin is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive net margin of 32.6%, the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost control.
Return on Equity (ROE): Western Alliance's ROE stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 3.2%, the company demonstrates effective use of equity capital and strong financial performance.
Return on Assets (ROA): Western Alliance's ROA lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maximizing returns from its assets. With an ROA of 0.24%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial performance.
Debt Management: The company faces challenges in debt management with a debt-to-equity ratio higher than the industry average. With a ratio of 1.1, caution is advised due to increased financial risk.
<h2>Understanding the Relevance of Analyst Ratings</h2>
Analyst ratings serve as essential indicators of stock performance, provided by experts in banking and financial systems. These specialists diligently analyze company financial statements, participate in conference calls, and engage with insiders to generate quarterly ratings for individual stocks.
Some analysts will also offer forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide further guidance on stocks. Investors who use analyst ratings should note that this specialized advice comes from humans and may be subject to error.
Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now?
Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=be8be9arja3be22bz21&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here to stay ahead of the market</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Demystifying Western Alliance: Insights From 13 Analyst Reviews

Wedbush analyst David Chiaverini maintains Western Alliance (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WAL#NYSE">WAL</a>) with a Outperform and raises the price target from $90 to $105.

Wedbush Maintains Outperform on Western Alliance, Raises Price Target to $105

Truist Securities analyst Brandon King maintains Western Alliance (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WAL#NYSE">WAL</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $88 to $100.

Truist Securities Maintains Buy on Western Alliance, Raises Price Target to $100

The Federal Reserve's decision to reduce interest rates by 50 basis points on Wednesday has set the stage for a notable shift, particularly in the banking sector among <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/small-cap-analysis">mid- and small-cap banks</a>.
With rates expected to drop further over the next two years, JPMorgan analyst Steven Alexopoulos believes this marks a crucial inflection point. This and further cuts should help boost banks' net interest margins (NIMs) while reigniting commercial loan demand. The steepening yield curve and easing credit concerns will help banks recalibrate deposit costs, improving performance across various segments.
Let's break down the investment opportunities among large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap banks, as outlined by Alexopoulos.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Large-Cap Banks: Poised For Growth</h2>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">First Citizens BancShares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCNCA#NASDAQ">FCNCA</a>)</h4>
First Citizens stands out with its SVB segment likely to benefit from the Fed's cuts. With lower rates, the company expects a resurgence in venture capital (VC) investment and IPO activity. This should bolster its sizable SVB loans and deposits. Trading at a discount to peers, this stock offers a compelling value. Alexopoulos also sees potential for significant multiple expansion as the market re-rates it.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Huntington Bancshares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HBAN#NASDAQ">HBAN</a>)</h4>
Huntington positions itself to take advantage of improving commercial and industrial (C&amp;I) loan demand by aggressively hiring bankers in growth markets like the Carolinas and Texas. As the Fed eases, the bank anticipates accelerated earnings, strong loan growth, and a solidified position in the sector.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">M&amp;T Bank (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MTB#NYSE">MTB</a>)</h4>
As the Fed eases, M&amp;T's criticized loans should see an improvement in credit quality, particularly in the commercial real estate (CRE) sector. This will likely reduce the bank's need for high reserve levels and allow for increased buybacks. The analyst says that trading below its historical valuation, M&amp;T offers an opportunity for re-rating as the economic outlook brightens.
Don't miss out on this unparalleled opportunity:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/small-cap/global-small-cap-conference-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Register now to secure your spot at Benzinga's Largest SmallCap Conference ever in Chicago!</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mid-Cap Banks: Reaping The Benefits Of Lower Rates</h2>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Western Alliance (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WAL#NYSE">WAL</a>)</h4>
Western Alliance will benefit from the lower rate environment, seizing opportunities to reduce deposit costs and ease credit concerns. According to Alexopoulos, its exposure to the startup economy and capital call lending positions it well to take advantage of a potential resurgence in venture capital and IPO markets, making it a standout mid-cap pick.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Pinnacle Financial Partners (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PNFP#NASDAQ">PNFP</a>)</h4>
Pinnacle plans to lower its high deposit rates, boosting net interest income (NII). The analyst says Pinnacle operates in high-growth markets in the Southeast and sports above-peer loan growth. This, combined with easing concerns around credit quality, makes it an attractive investment as the Fed continues its rate cuts.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Cullen/Frost Bankers (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CFR#NYSE">CFR</a>)</h4>
Despite its asset-sensitive balance sheet, Cullen/Frost will benefit from the Fed's cuts by focusing on organic expansion in Texas's fastest-growing cities. The potential for improved loan demand, especially in commercial real estate, should drive outsized growth. Alexopoulos sees this as presenting a revaluation opportunity for the stock.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Small-Cap Banks: Ready For Resurgence</h2>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Live Oak Bank (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LOB#NASDAQ">LOB</a>)</h4>
Live Oak, with most of its deposits in market-rate accounts, expects a significant reset in funding costs as rates decline. This niche growth bank plans to lead loan growth by capitalizing on improved borrower demand as borrowing cost uncertainty diminishes.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Metropolitan Bank (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCB#NYSE">MCB</a>)</h4>
Metropolitan stands to benefit from easing concerns around its CRE loans, with the Fed's cuts reducing fears about credit quality. The bank's unique focus on niche sectors and proactive credit management positions it well for an economic rebound.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Amalgamated Bank (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMAL#NASDAQ">AMAL</a>)</h4>
Amalgamated, a smaller player exposed to high credit risk profiles, will improve as rates decline. The bank's focus on social impact banking combined with a favorable rate environment should alleviate concerns around credit stress. Alexopoulos sees this as providing room for upside in its share price.
As the Fed signals further easing, banks across segments will capitalize on improving economic conditions, rising loan demand, and a recalibration of deposit costs. With the runway for a soft landing widened, now is a compelling time to consider these names for your portfolio.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40919822/small-cap-sectors-brace-for-fed-rate-cut-financials-real-estate-etfs-offer-compelling-plays-for-inve">Small-Cap Sectors Brace For Fed Rate Cut: Financials, Real Estate ETFs Offer Compelling Plays For Investors</a></li>
</ul>
Don't miss the opportunity to dominate in a volatile market at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/small-cap/global-small-cap-conference-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga SmallCAP Conference on Oct. 9-10, 2024</a>,&nbsp;at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile.
Get exclusive access to CEO presentations, 1:1 meetings with investors, and valuable insights from top financial experts. Whether you're a trader, entrepreneur, or investor, this event offers unparalleled opportunities to grow your portfolio and network with industry leaders.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/small-cap/global-small-cap-conference-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Secure your spot and get your tickets today!</a>
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Analyst Color

Long Ideas

Trading Ideas

AMAL

HBAN

Bank Stocks Hit Inflection Point After Fed's 50 Basis Point Cut, Analyst Reveals Top Picks

Launched on 06/19/2006, the SPDR S&amp;P Regional Banking ETF (ARCA:KRE) is a smart beta exchange traded fund offering broad exposure to the Financials ETFs category of the market.
<h2>What Are Smart Beta ETFs?</h2>
The ETF industry has long been dominated by products based on market cap weighted indexes, a strategy created to reflect the market or a particular market segment.
Market cap weighted indexes offer a low-cost, convenient, and transparent way of replicating market returns, and are a good option for investors who believe in market efficiency.
There are some investors, though, who think it&#39;s possible to beat the market with great stock selection; this group likely invests in another class of funds known as smart beta, which track non-cap weighted strategies.
Non-cap weighted indexes try to choose stocks that have a better chance of risk-return performance, which is based on specific fundamental characteristics, or a mix of other such characteristics.
Even though this space provides many choices to investors--think one of the simplest methodologies like equal-weighting and more complicated ones like fundamental and volatility/momentum based weighting--not all have been able to deliver first-rate results.
<h2>Fund Sponsor &amp; Index</h2>
The fund is sponsored by State Street Global Advisors. It has amassed assets over $3.25 billion, making it one of the largest ETFs in the Financials ETFs. Before fees and expenses, this particular fund seeks to match the performance of the S&amp;P Regional Banks Select Industry Index.
The S&amp;P Regional Banks Select Industry Index represents the regional banks segment of the S&amp;P Total Market Index.
<h2>Cost &amp; Other Expenses</h2>
Cost is an important factor in selecting the right ETF, and cheaper funds can significantly outperform their more expensive cousins if all other fundamentals are the same.
Operating expenses on an annual basis are 0.35% for KRE, making it one of the least expensive products in the space.
It&#39;s 12-month trailing dividend yield comes in at 2.79%.
<h2>Sector Exposure and Top Holdings</h2>
Even though ETFs offer diversified exposure which minimizes single stock risk, it is still important to look into a fund&#39;s holdings before investing. Luckily, most ETFs are very transparent products that disclose their holdings on a daily basis.
For KRE, it has heaviest allocation in the Financials sector --about 100% of the portfolio.
When you look at individual holdings, Western Alliance Bancorp (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/wal#NYSE">WAL</a>) accounts for about 2.46% of the fund&#39;s total assets, followed by Columbia Banking System Inc (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/colb#NASDAQ">COLB</a>) and Valley National Bancorp (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/vly#NASDAQ">VLY</a>).
Its top 10 holdings account for approximately 22.73% of KRE&#39;s total assets under management.
<h2>Performance and Risk</h2>
So far this year, KRE has added roughly 9.31%, and was up about 32.96% in the last one year (as of 09/17/2024). During this past 52-week period, the fund has traded between $38.57 and $59.23.
The fund has a beta of 1.07 and standard deviation of 30.92% for the trailing three-year period, which makes KRE a high risk choice in this particular space. With about 143 holdings, it effectively diversifies company-specific risk.
<h2>Alternatives</h2>
SPDR S&amp;P Regional Banking ETF is not a suitable option for investors seeking to outperform the Financials ETFs segment of the market. Instead, there are other ETFs in the space which investors should consider.
Invesco KBW Regional Banking ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/kbwr#NASDAQ">KBWR</a>) tracks KBW Nasdaq Regional Banking Index and the iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF (ARCA:IAT) tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Regional Banks Index. Invesco KBW Regional Banking ETF has $52.29 million in assets, iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF has $640.56 million. KBWR has an expense ratio of 0.35% and IAT charges 0.40%.
Investors looking for cheaper and lower-risk options should consider traditional market cap weighted ETFs that aim to match the returns of the Financials ETFs.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2336916/is-spdr-s-p-regional-banking-etf-kre-a-strong-etf-right-now?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-smart_beta_etf-2336916">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Dividends

Markets

iShares Dow Jones US Regional Banks Index Fund

KBWR

Is SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF a Strong ETF Right Now?

Western Alliance's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WAL#NYSE">WAL</a>) short percent of float has risen 3.61% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 5.22 million shares sold short, which is 4.88% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 3.29 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Western Alliance Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1724080511_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Western Alliance has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Western Alliance's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Western Alliance's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 3.37%, which means the company has more short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

Looking Into Western Alliance's Recent Short Interest

WIIM

BBAR

CADE

EWBC

HMNF

HSBC

MUFG

VBFC

Shares of banking companies are trading lower amid overall market weakness following weak US jobs data.

Financial giants have made a conspicuous bearish move on Western Alliance. Our analysis of options history for Western Alliance (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WAL#NYSE">WAL</a>) revealed 48 unusual trades.
Delving into the details, we found 25% of traders were bullish, while 68% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 5 were puts, with a value of $915,180, and 43 were calls, valued at $1,741,360.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $30.0 to $95.0 for Western Alliance over the recent three months. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of Western Alliance stands at 14.75, with a total volume reaching 105,781.00. The accompanying chart delineates the progression of both call and put option volume and open interest for high-value trades in Western Alliance, situated within the strike price corridor from $30.0 to $95.0, throughout the last 30 days.
<h3>Western Alliance Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1722023150_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Significant Options Trades Detected:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>WAL</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$4.0</td>
<td>$3.4</td>
<td>$4.0</td>
<td>$65.00</td>
<td>$600.0K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WAL</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>08/16/24</td>
<td>$6.2</td>
<td>$5.3</td>
<td>$5.78</td>
<td>$85.00</td>
<td>$115.6K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td>200</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WAL</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>08/16/24</td>
<td>$3.9</td>
<td>$3.7</td>
<td>$3.88</td>
<td>$82.50</td>
<td>$97.0K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td>577</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WAL</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>08/16/24</td>
<td>$6.1</td>
<td>$5.3</td>
<td>$5.81</td>
<td>$85.00</td>
<td>$57.7K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td>300</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WAL</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$4.3</td>
<td>$4.2</td>
<td>$4.2</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
<td>$48.3K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">33</td>
<td>5.9K</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Western Alliance</h3>
Western Alliance Bancorporation is a Las Vegas-based holding company with regional banks operating in Nevada, Arizona, and California. The bank offers retail banking services and focuses on mortgages for retail customers and commercial loans. The company's reportable segments are Commercial segment includes provides commercial banking and treasury management products and services to small and middle-market businesses, specialized banking services to sophisticated commercial institutions and investors within niche industries, as well as financial services to the real estate industry. Consumer Related segment offers both commercial banking services to enterprises in consumer-related sectors and consumer banking services, such as residential mortgage banking. Corporate &amp; Other.
In light of the recent options history for Western Alliance, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.
<h3>Where Is Western Alliance Standing Right Now?</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 1,029,934, the price of WAL is up by 2.05%, reaching $81.5.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 83 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Analysts Are Saying About Western Alliance</h3>
A total of 5 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $85.6.
<ul>
<li>Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Truist Securities keeps a Buy rating on Western Alliance with a target price of $74. </li>
<li>An analyst from Piper Sandler has decided to maintain their Overweight rating on Western Alliance, which currently sits at a price target of $93. </li>
<li>An analyst from B of A Securities persists with their Buy rating on Western Alliance, maintaining a target price of $98. </li>
<li>An analyst from Wells Fargo persists with their Equal-Weight rating on Western Alliance, maintaining a target price of $85. </li>
<li>An analyst from RBC Capital has decided to maintain their Outperform rating on Western Alliance, which currently sits at a price target of $78. </li>
</ul>
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Western Alliance options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.

Options

Decoding Western Alliance's Options Activity: What's the Big Picture?

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders often look for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges away from its normal worth. Abnormal amounts of trading activity could push option prices to hyperbolic or underperforming levels. 
Below are some instances of options activity happening in the Financials sector: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>SOFI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>08/16/24</td>
<td>$8.50</td>
<td>$25.1K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
<td>80.9K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>COIN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>08/02/24</td>
<td>$270.00</td>
<td>$35.5K</td>
<td>2.5K</td>
<td>16.3K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WFC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>08/16/24</td>
<td>$60.00</td>
<td>$30.4K</td>
<td>20.6K</td>
<td>2.3K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>COOP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$610.0K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SQ</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$86.1K</td>
<td>1.3K</td>
<td>972</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>12/18/26</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$390.0K</td>
<td>171</td>
<td>600</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WAL</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>08/02/24</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$77.6K</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>398</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SCHW</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>11/15/24</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$25.0K</td>
<td>615</td>
<td>354</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>08/02/24</td>
<td>$490.00</td>
<td>$37.0K</td>
<td>296</td>
<td>159</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HOOD</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>08/16/24</td>
<td>$18.00</td>
<td>$40.9K</td>
<td>5.2K</td>
<td>111</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These itemized elaborations have been created using the accompanying table. 
• For SOFI (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOFI#NASDAQ">SOFI</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 22 day(s) on August 16, 2024. This event was a transfer of 1005 contract(s) at a $8.50 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 4 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $25.1K, with a price of $25.0 per contract. There were 1013 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 80902 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding COIN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>), we observe a call option trade with neutral sentiment. It expires in 8 day(s) on August 2, 2024. Parties traded 100 contract(s) at a $270.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $35.5K, with a price of $355.0 per contract. There were 2555 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 16336 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For WFC (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 22 day(s) on August 16, 2024. This event was a transfer of 201 contract(s) at a $60.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 7 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $30.4K, with a price of $153.0 per contract. There were 20692 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 2363 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For COOP (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COOP#NASDAQ">COOP</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be neutral, expiring in 176 day(s) on January 17, 2025. This event was a transfer of 1000 contract(s) at a $100.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $610.0K, with a price of $610.0 per contract. There were 1196 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1563 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding SQ (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SQ#NYSE">SQ</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 330 day(s) on June 20, 2025. Parties traded 82 contract(s) at a $70.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 7 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $86.1K, with a price of $1050.0 per contract. There were 1373 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 972 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding BX (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BX#NYSE">BX</a>), we observe a put option trade with neutral sentiment. It expires in 876 day(s) on December 18, 2026. Parties traded 600 contract(s) at a $90.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $390.0K, with a price of $650.0 per contract. There were 171 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 600 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding WAL (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WAL#NYSE">WAL</a>), we observe a put option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 8 day(s) on August 2, 2024. Parties traded 388 contract(s) at a $80.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 51 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $77.6K, with a price of $200.0 per contract. There were 1 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 398 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding SCHW (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SCHW#NYSE">SCHW</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 113 day(s) on November 15, 2024. Parties traded 166 contract(s) at a $75.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 6 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $25.0K, with a price of $151.0 per contract. There were 615 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 354 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For GS (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 8 day(s) on August 2, 2024. This event was a transfer of 38 contract(s) at a $490.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $37.0K, with a price of $975.0 per contract. There were 296 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 159 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding HOOD (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOOD#NASDAQ">HOOD</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 22 day(s) on August 16, 2024. Parties traded 100 contract(s) at a $18.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 3 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $40.9K, with a price of $409.0 per contract. There were 5275 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 111 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more news on unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

COIN

COOP

HOOD

SCHW

SOFI

10 Financials Stocks With Whale Alerts In Today's Session

12 analysts have shared their evaluations of Western Alliance (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WAL#NYSE">WAL</a>) during the recent three months, expressing a mix of bullish and bearish perspectives.
The following table encapsulates their recent ratings, offering a glimpse into the evolving sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">6</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts have set 12-month price targets for Western Alliance, revealing an average target of $85.42, a high estimate of $100.00, and a low estimate of $70.00. This current average has increased by 14.27% from the previous average price target of $74.75. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1721757650_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Decoding Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Look</h2>
A comprehensive examination of how financial experts perceive Western Alliance is derived from recent analyst actions. The following is a detailed summary of key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Steven Alexopoulos</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bernard von-Gizycki</td>
<td>Deutsche Bank</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$83.00</td>
<td>$62.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ebrahim Poonawala</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$98.00</td>
<td>$82.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brandon King</td>
<td>Truist Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$88.00</td>
<td>$74.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jon Arfstrom</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$87.00</td>
<td>$78.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Timur Braziler</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$85.00</td>
<td>$68.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jared Shaw</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$92.00</td>
<td>$86.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Matthew Clark</td>
<td>Piper Sandler</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$93.00</td>
<td>$76.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jon Arfstrom</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$78.00</td>
<td>$76.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brandon King</td>
<td>Truist Securities</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$74.00</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Casey Haire</td>
<td>Jefferies</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$77.00</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>David Chiaverini</td>
<td>Wedbush</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts frequently update their recommendations based on evolving market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to Western Alliance. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Analysts unravel qualitative evaluations for stocks, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings offer insights into expectations for the relative performance of Western Alliance compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts navigate through adjustments in price targets, providing estimates for Western Alliance's future value. Comparing current and prior targets offers insights into analysts' evolving expectations.</li>
</ul>
To gain a panoramic view of Western Alliance's market performance, explore these analyst evaluations alongside essential financial indicators. Stay informed and make judicious decisions using our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/WAL/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Western Alliance analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Discovering Western Alliance: A Closer Look</h2>
Western Alliance Bancorporation is a Las Vegas-based holding company with regional banks operating in Nevada, Arizona, and California. The bank offers retail banking services and focuses on mortgages for retail customers and commercial loans. The company's reportable segments are Commercial segment includes provides commercial banking and treasury management products and services to small and middle-market businesses, specialized banking services to sophisticated commercial institutions and investors within niche industries, as well as financial services to the real estate industry. Consumer Related segment offers both commercial banking services to enterprises in consumer-related sectors and consumer banking services, such as residential mortgage banking. Corporate &amp; Other.
<h3>Financial Milestones: Western Alliance's Journey</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Below industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization reflects a smaller scale relative to peers. This could be attributed to factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity.
Revenue Growth: Western Alliance's remarkable performance in 3 months is evident. As of 30 June, 2024, the company achieved an impressive revenue growth rate of 1.37%. This signifies a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the company achieved a growth rate higher than the average among peers in Financials sector.
Net Margin: The company's net margin is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive net margin of 32.54%, the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost control.
Return on Equity (ROE): The company's ROE is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 3.2%, the company showcases effective utilization of equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): Western Alliance's ROA falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 0.24%, the company may face hurdles in generating optimal returns from its assets.
Debt Management: With a high debt-to-equity ratio of 1.1, Western Alliance faces challenges in effectively managing its debt levels, indicating potential financial strain.
<h2>The Basics of Analyst Ratings</h2>
Analysts work in banking and financial systems and typically specialize in reporting for stocks or defined sectors. Analysts may attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter.
Some analysts publish their predictions for metrics such as growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide additional guidance with their ratings. When using analyst ratings, it is important to keep in mind that stock and sector analysts are also human and are only offering their opinions to investors.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Beyond The Numbers: 12 Analysts Discuss Western Alliance Stock

Deutsche Bank analyst Bernard von-Gizycki maintains Western Alliance (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WAL#NYSE">WAL</a>) with a Hold and raises the price target from $62 to $83.

Deutsche Bank Maintains Hold on Western Alliance, Raises Price Target to $83

B of A Securities analyst Ebrahim Poonawala maintains Western Alliance (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WAL#NYSE">WAL</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $82 to $98.

B of A Securities Maintains Buy on Western Alliance, Raises Price Target to $98

Truist Securities analyst Brandon King maintains Western Alliance (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WAL#NYSE">WAL</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $74 to $88.

Truist Securities Maintains Buy on Western Alliance, Raises Price Target to $88

RBC Capital analyst Jon Arfstrom maintains Western Alliance (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WAL#NYSE">WAL</a>) with a Outperform and raises the price target from $78 to $87.

RBC Capital Maintains Outperform on Western Alliance, Raises Price Target to $87

Wells Fargo analyst Timur Braziler maintains Western Alliance (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WAL#NYSE">WAL</a>) with a Equal-Weight and raises the price target from $68 to $85.

Wells Fargo Maintains Equal-Weight on Western Alliance, Raises Price Target to $85

Western Alliance: Further Upside After S&P 400 Inclusion

Bank stocks extend decline as CPI data reduce chances of jumbo Fed rate cut

Bank stocks rally after Fed embarks on easing path; Jefferies prefers regionals

How financial stocks may fare in a 'game of regulatory seats' under a Trump White House

In a report released yesterday, Brandon King from Truist Financial maintained a Buy rating on Western Alliance (WAL – Research Report), with a pric...

Truist Financial Sticks to Its Buy Rating for Western Alliance (WAL)

Monthly Options Series: Earn A Potentially Consistent 10% Income (Oct. 2024)

DPST: Regional Banks Offer Strong Returns Until Crisis Strikes

Western Alliance (WAL – Research Report), the Financial sector company, was revisited by a Wall Street analyst today. Analyst Bernard von-Gizycki f...

Western Alliance Buy Rating Affirmed Amid Strong Fundamentals and Positive Monetary Outlook

Western Alliance raised to Buy at Deutsche due to rate cuts, soft landing

Banks start reporting Q3 earnings on Friday, but outlooks will take the spotlight

ALLY

AMAT

ARCC

AVGO

BXSL

DPST

FMCC

FNMA

KBWB

NTRS

NYCB

OBDC

ODFL

PYPL

RGLD

STLD

TTEK

ZION

Press Releases

Western Alliance Bancorporation Announces First Quarter 2024 Earnings Release Date, Conference Call and Webcast

Western Alliance Bancorporation Reports First Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Heather Kelly Appointed as Head of Western Alliance Bank's Business Escrow Services Group

Jocelyn Lynch Promoted to Head of Western Alliance Trust Company, N.A.

Western Alliance Bank Powers Agriculture Specialization With Addition of Industry Executive Leo Munoz

Alliance Association Bank Expands Community Association Banking Team With Additions of Kenneth Sonner and Anthony Dister

Western Alliance Bancorporation Announces Second Quarter 2024 Earnings Release Date, Conference Call and Webcast

Western Alliance Bancorporation Reports Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Palantir Technologies, Dell Technologies, and Erie Indemnity Set to Join S&P 500; Others to Join S&P MidCap 400 and S&P SmallCap 600

Western Alliance Bancorporation Announces Third Quarter 2024 Earnings Release Date, Conference Call and Webcast

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