Stock price when the opinion was issued
Investment banks don't get a lot of love because earnings are so cyclical. Investors will put a different multiple on cyclical earnings versus steady earnings. Phenomenal job transitioning to more of a wealth manager; gives a lot more earnings durability. Prefers it to GS. Would not add here, valuation's too rich; wait for pullback.
The question was on his preference of this group of wealth management companies. He owns all three for different reasons. The possible lack of regulation under the new administration has already boosted them. They are in excellent financial shape and have good dividend growth. It is not an expensive sector.
They report Thursday. Usually, shares get crushed after the report, but what if there's nowhere to go except up because they have fallen so far? It makes no sense that their net interest margins are so high, yet shares are so low. Before when net interest margins were much lower, shares were much higher. No sense. He likes the banks before their quarter. The St. Louis Fed says that loans were still strong this quarter. Banks, which have been frigid, could be hot now and they usually work well at this point of the cycle. MS pays a good dividend.