{"id":59343,"date":"2023-09-10T22:25:29","date_gmt":"2023-09-11T02:25:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ifintechworld.com\/news\/stifel-financial-hold-as-wealth-advisory-grows-but-investment-banking-struggles-nysesf\/"},"modified":"2023-09-10T22:25:43","modified_gmt":"2023-09-11T02:25:43","slug":"stifel-financial-hold-as-wealth-advisory-grows-but-investment-banking-struggles-nysesf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ifintechworld.com\/?p=59343","title":{"rendered":"Stifel Financial: Hold As Wealth Advisory Grows But Investment Banking Struggles (NYSE:SF)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-test-id=\"content-container\">\n<figure class=\"getty-figure\" data-type=\"getty-image\"><picture>  <\/picture><figcaption> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Research Summary<\/h2>\n<p>Today I&#8217;ll be rating <strong>Stifel Financial (<span class=\"ticker-hover-wrapper\">NYSE:SF<\/span>)<\/strong>, in the financials sector, investment banking &amp; brokerage subsector.<\/p>\n<p>It had its Q2 earnings result on July 26th and I will do a deep dive into some of that data today<span class=\"paywall-full-content invisible\"> as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible\">For readers less familiar with this company, here are relevant points from their website: roots go back to 1890, a focus on investment banking &amp; wealth management, trades on the NYSE, based in St. Louis Missouri, has 400+ offices nationwide. Also to mention is the fact that it has a major equities research group as well.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible\">Two key peers of this company are <em>Jefferies Financial<\/em> (JEF), and <em>Evercore<\/em> (EVR).<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"paywall-full-content invisible\">Rating Methodology<\/h2>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible\">Using a process similar to 5 project phases in project management, I break down my overall holistic rating of this stock into 5 categories I rank individually and<span class=\"paywall-full-content no-summary-bullets invisible\"> of equal weight: dividends, valuation, share price, earnings growth, financial health.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">If I recommend this stock on at least 3 of 5 categories, it gets a hold rating. 4 of 5 get a buy, and less than 3 get a sell rating. Then I compare my rating to the consensus from analysts, Wall Street, and the quant system.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">Dividends<\/h2>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">In this category, I will analyze the dividends of this stock and whether I think they present an opportunity for dividend-income investors. The data comes from official Seeking Alpha dividend info.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">As of the writing of this analysis, the <strong>forward dividend yield is 2.22%<\/strong>, with a payout of <strong>$0.36 per share<\/strong> on a quarterly basis, with the most recent ex-date being Aug. 31st.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"regular-img-figure paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\" contenteditable=\"false\"><picture> <span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ifintechworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/58572054-16941805768603063.jpg\" alt=\"Stifel - dividend yield\" width=\"640\" height=\"324\" contenteditable=\"false\" data-width=\"640\" data-height=\"324\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span> <\/picture><figcaption>\n<p class=\"item-caption\">Stifel &#8211; dividend yield <span>(Seeking Alpha)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">When comparing to its sector average, this dividend yield is <strong>44% below its sector average. <\/strong>I believe this is a negative point to consider for dividend investors who are comparing multiple stocks in which to invest. I think a reasonable range would be 2.5% &#8211; 4.5% dividend yield, so Stifel&#8217;s yield is just below my target range.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"regular-img-figure paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\" contenteditable=\"false\"><picture> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ifintechworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/58572054-16941806890151043.jpg\" alt=\"Stifel - dividend yield vs sector average\" width=\"529\" height=\"187\" contenteditable=\"false\" data-width=\"529\" data-height=\"187\" loading=\"lazy\"> <\/picture><figcaption>\n<p class=\"item-caption\">Stifel &#8211; dividend yield vs sector average <span>(Seeking Alpha)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">On a more positive note, however, in looking at the 5 year dividend growth for this stock, it has shown a positive upward trend. This is, in my opinion, a positive point for dividend investors and a sign of this firm&#8217;s capacity to return capital back to shareholders.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"regular-img-figure paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\" contenteditable=\"false\"><picture> <span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ifintechworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/58572054-1694181154315993.jpg\" alt=\"Stifel - 5 year dividend growth\" width=\"640\" height=\"295\" contenteditable=\"false\" data-width=\"640\" data-height=\"295\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span> <\/picture><figcaption>\n<p class=\"item-caption\">Stifel &#8211; 5 year dividend growth <span>(Seeking Alpha)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">Additionally, I am looking for stability with dividend payouts, and this stock has shown regular dividend payment history lately, which is a positive point to think about.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"regular-img-figure paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\" contenteditable=\"false\"><picture> <span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ifintechworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/58572054-16941837986597645.jpg\" alt=\"Stifel - dividend history\" width=\"640\" height=\"272\" contenteditable=\"false\" data-width=\"640\" data-height=\"272\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span> <\/picture><figcaption>\n<p class=\"item-caption\">Stifel &#8211; dividend history <span>(Seeking Alpha)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">I think the stable dividend history and growth offsets the fact that the yield is lower than the sector average. On the whole, I would <strong>recommend<\/strong> this company on the category of dividends. However, later in the section on share price, I will show how this dividend yield can be used in an investment idea for this stock.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">Valuation<\/h2>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">In this category, I will analyze the valuation of this stock. The data comes from official valuation info on Seeking Alpha, specifically the forward P\/E ratio and forward P\/B ratio, the key metrics I look at.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">This stock has a <strong>forward P\/E ratio of 10.79,<\/strong> which is <strong>12.76% above its sector average.<\/strong> I think that a reasonable price to earnings for this stock would be between 7.5x earnings and 10.5x earnings, to stay within a reasonable 2 point range of the average. In this case, on this metric the stock appears <em>moderately overvalued<\/em> vs its overall sector. I don&#8217;t believe it is major cause for concern.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"regular-img-figure paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\" contenteditable=\"false\"><picture> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ifintechworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/58572054-16941841710784855.jpg\" alt=\"Stifel - P\/E ratio\" width=\"554\" height=\"227\" contenteditable=\"false\" data-width=\"554\" data-height=\"227\" loading=\"lazy\"> <\/picture><figcaption>\n<p class=\"item-caption\">Stifel &#8211; P\/E ratio <span>(Seeking Alpha)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">This stock has a <strong>forward P\/B ratio of 1.39<\/strong>, which is <strong>42% above its sector average<\/strong>. I think that a reasonable price-to-book value for this stock would be between 0.50x book value and 1.5x book value, to stay within a 1\/2 point range of the average. In this situation, this stock appears only <em>slightly overvalued<\/em> vs its overall sector, and so I would consider a price to book in this range as reasonable and not of major concern.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"regular-img-figure paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\" contenteditable=\"false\"><picture> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ifintechworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/58572054-16941845160026798.jpg\" alt=\"Stifel - P\/B ratio\" width=\"554\" height=\"93\" contenteditable=\"false\" data-width=\"554\" data-height=\"93\" loading=\"lazy\"> <\/picture><figcaption>\n<p class=\"item-caption\">Stifel &#8211; P\/B ratio <span>(Seeking Alpha)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">Let&#8217;s take a look at one of its peers mentioned earlier: <em>Jefferies Financial<\/em>. Incidentally, I also rated that stock not long ago as well. If comparing the two, Jefferies has a price-to-earnings that is 180% above the sector average and a price-to-book 9% below the average. So, it seems a lot more overvalued than Stifel on price to earnings but more undervalued on price to book.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">Based on the examples I gave, I would <strong>recommend<\/strong> this stock on the basis of valuation, using the two metrics provided.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">Share Price<\/h2>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">In this category, I will use a very simplistic investment idea to determine if the current share price presents a value buying opportunity right now or not.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">First, I pulled the chart (as of the writing of this article, so the price shown is not real time!) which shows a <strong>share price of $64.21,<\/strong> compared to its 200-day simple moving average <strong>&#8220;SMA&#8221; of $61.29<\/strong>, over the last 1 year period.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sa-widget sa-ycharts paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ifintechworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/saupload_3d57fb4a63c0a5d17e7104d486f85b41.png\" alt=\"Chart\" width=\"635\" height=\"366\" class=\"sa-ycharts-img\" data-width=\"635\" data-height=\"366\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption>Data by YCharts<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">Second, I determine what my goal is for return on capital and what my risk tolerance is for capital loss if I buy 10 shares at the current share price and hold for 1 year to also earn a full year of dividend income.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">My goal is positive +10% return on capital, and my risk tolerance is a -10% negative return on capital.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">After holding for 1 year, I plan to sell the 10 shares. The following simulation tests what happens if the share price I sell at in Aug. 2024 is +10% above the current SMA, and what happens if it has dropped to -10% below the current SMA:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"regular-img-figure paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\" contenteditable=\"false\"><picture> <span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ifintechworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/58572054-16941851801598003.jpg\" alt=\"Stifel - investing idea\" width=\"640\" height=\"105\" contenteditable=\"false\" data-width=\"640\" data-height=\"105\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span> <\/picture><figcaption>\n<p class=\"item-caption\">Stifel &#8211; investing idea <span>(author analysis)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">In the above example, I missed my profit goal by 1.08% and also exceeded my loss limit by 0.17%.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">With that said, the current share price does not present a buy opportunity and in my opinion I would <strong>not recommend<\/strong> it. However, readers should still run their own simulations based on their individual portfolio goals which I cannot advise on here, as their risk tolerance and profit goals my differ from this idea above. It is simply a framework with which to think about potential gains &amp; losses if buying at the current price.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">Also, note that the above idea can create two potential tax events: dividend income and capital gains. This ought to be discussed further with your tax pro for consultation on this topic.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">Earnings Growth<\/h2>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">In this category, I examine the earnings trends comparing the most recent quarterly results to the same quarter a year ago, including both top-line and bottom-line income, and other relevant topics to earnings I think should be discussed for my readers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">On a YoY basis, this firm showed positive growth in a key area, net interest income, or the difference between interest revenue &amp; expense. This correlates with the period of time when the market has seen record high rates, so I would say the rate environment has favored this firm, and I think will continue to do so as rates are not dropping anytime soon.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"regular-img-figure paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\" contenteditable=\"false\"><picture> <span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ifintechworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/58572054-16941860517529342.jpg\" alt=\"Stifel - net interest income\" width=\"640\" height=\"90\" contenteditable=\"false\" data-width=\"640\" data-height=\"90\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span> <\/picture><figcaption>\n<p class=\"item-caption\">Stifel &#8211; net interest income <span>(Seeking Alpha)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">Turning to their earnings commentary to get more insight on this, in the wealth management segment:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">\n<p>Net interest income increased 42% over the year-ago quarter driven by higher interest rates and loan growth.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">Regarding total top line revenue, however, the results were a little less bright, with a slight YoY drop, although nothing major.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"regular-img-figure paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\" contenteditable=\"false\"><picture> <span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ifintechworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/58572054-1694186370260108.jpg\" alt=\"Stifel - revenue YoY\" width=\"640\" height=\"97\" contenteditable=\"false\" data-width=\"640\" data-height=\"97\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span> <\/picture><figcaption>\n<p class=\"item-caption\">Stifel &#8211; revenue YoY <span>(Seeking Alpha)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">On a YoY basis, the firm also showed negative growth in net income, which is modestly concerning.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"regular-img-figure paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\" contenteditable=\"false\"><picture> <span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ifintechworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/58572054-16941864525394459.jpg\" alt=\"Stifel - net income YoY growth\" width=\"640\" height=\"74\" contenteditable=\"false\" data-width=\"640\" data-height=\"74\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span> <\/picture><figcaption>\n<p class=\"item-caption\">Stifel &#8211; net income YoY growth <span>(Seeking Alpha)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">To help me understand what the driver was behind these losses, it appears the weakness comes from their institutional business segment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">According to their commentary:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">\n<p>Advisory revenues of $86.6MM decreased 57% from the year-ago quarter driven by lower levels of completed advisory transactions.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">Drilling down further, we see the areas of the institutional segment that are causing headwinds to earnings. Offsetting it are stronger results from equity capital and fixed income capital raising activities, however overall this institutional segment was loss-making in Q2.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"regular-img-figure paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\" contenteditable=\"false\"><picture> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ifintechworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/58572054-16941867410099604.jpg\" alt=\"Stifel - q2 results - institutional\" width=\"415\" height=\"438\" contenteditable=\"false\" data-width=\"415\" data-height=\"438\" loading=\"lazy\"> <\/picture><figcaption>\n<p class=\"item-caption\">Stifel &#8211; q2 results &#8211; institutional <span>(company earnings release)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">Based on this evidence, I would <strong>not recommend<\/strong> the stock in this category, and await better earnings results for Q3.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">Financial Health<\/h2>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">In this category, I will discuss whether this company shows strong financial fundamentals in the realm of capital, liquidity, and overall balance sheet &amp; cashflow topics.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">The following are relevant data points coming from the company&#8217;s own Q2 presentation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">First, I want to point out that since 2019 the firm has had a positive uptrend in bank-driven funding, which I think is a good sign of deposit growth.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"regular-img-figure paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\" contenteditable=\"false\"><picture> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ifintechworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/58572054-16941925436307528.jpg\" alt=\"Stifel - bank driven funding\" width=\"600\" height=\"357\" contenteditable=\"false\" data-width=\"600\" data-height=\"357\" loading=\"lazy\"> <\/picture><figcaption>\n<p class=\"item-caption\">Stifel &#8211; bank driven funding <span>(company q2 presentation)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">Next, I want to point out that this firm&#8217;s tier 1 risk based capital far exceeds the regulatory 6% standard, and I think considering this has been the case for many quarters it is another sign this firm has strong financial health, with a 17.3% tier 1 risk-based capital ratio in Q2.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"regular-img-figure paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\" contenteditable=\"false\"><picture> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ifintechworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/58572054-1694192897549729.jpg\" alt=\"Stifel - tier 1 capital\" width=\"601\" height=\"359\" contenteditable=\"false\" data-width=\"601\" data-height=\"359\" loading=\"lazy\"> <\/picture><figcaption>\n<p class=\"item-caption\">Stifel &#8211; tier 1 capital <span>(company Q2 presentation)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">Also to mention is that, according to the company in the Q2 earnings result, they &#8220;repurchased 1.5MM shares with 6.1MM shares remaining on current authorization.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">Usually, a firm that is struggling with liquidity will pause share repurchases and dividend payouts until things improve, which this firm has not done but continues to repurchase shares.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">I would therefore<strong> recommend<\/strong> this category, based on the evidence found.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">Rating Score<\/h2>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">Today, this stock was recommended in 3 of my rating categories, earning a <strong>hold \/ neutral<\/strong> <strong>rating<\/strong> from me today. This is less bullish than the consensus from analysts and agreeing with the consensus from the quant system.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"regular-img-figure paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\" contenteditable=\"false\"><picture> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ifintechworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/58572054-16941937349322324.jpg\" alt=\"Stifel - rating consensus\" width=\"349\" height=\"158\" contenteditable=\"false\" data-width=\"349\" data-height=\"158\" loading=\"lazy\"> <\/picture><figcaption>\n<p class=\"item-caption\">Stifel &#8211; rating consensus <span>(Seeking Alpha)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">My Rating vs Downside &amp; Upside Risk<\/h2>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">My neutral rating can face the following downside risk:<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">Continued headwinds in the investment banking space, which could cause investors and analysts to be increasingly bearish on stocks that are heavy in the investment banking space.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">For example, an article this week in The Financial Times highlighted the investment banking headwinds this year even at <em>Goldman Sachs<\/em> (GS):<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">\n<p>In January it cut roughly 3,200 jobs, or 6.5 per cent of its workforce, in an effort to reduce costs following a dramatic slowdown in investment banking activity..<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">My rating can also face the following upside risk:<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">Record growth as a leading wealth manager, which could convince many investors &amp; analysts to be even more bullish on this company, making my neutral rating seem overly cautious.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">Consider the following table showing Stifel&#8217;s growth in assets under administration, the number of financial advisors it has, and fee-based client assets. It is looking after some very big numbers, and earlier I mentioned the vast number of branches it has across the US with a focus on face-to-face client advisory. I think it could be a force to be reckoned with in the wealth space.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"regular-img-figure paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\" contenteditable=\"false\"><picture> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ifintechworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/58572054-16942025814569814.jpg\" alt=\"Stifel - wealth mgmt growth\" width=\"496\" height=\"220\" contenteditable=\"false\" data-width=\"496\" data-height=\"220\" loading=\"lazy\"> <\/picture><figcaption>\n<p class=\"item-caption\">Stifel &#8211; wealth mgmt growth <span>(company q2 presentation)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">However, I maintain my hold\/neutral rating despite the above upside and downside risk, as I think what outweighs those factors is for example the wealth management space also has massive competition from much bigger players like Morgan Stanley (MS) and others, and I think the investment banking headwinds will calm and deals will return.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">This was echoed again by Goldman CEO David Solomon in today&#8217;s financial media story:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">\n<p>Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon said in a Friday interview with <em>Yahoo Finance<\/em> that he is encouraged by a string of initial public offerings expected in the coming weeks, predicting a &#8220;pickup in the capital markets activity&#8221; over the course of the fall.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2 class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">Analysis Wrap up<\/h2>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">To wrap up today&#8217;s discussion, here are the key points we went over:<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">This stock got a <em>hold<\/em> rating today.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">Its positive points are: dividends, financial health, valuation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">The headwinds it faces are: share price, earnings YoY growth.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">Both upside &amp; downside risks have been addressed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall-full-content invisible no-summary-bullets\">In closing, I <em>recommend<\/em> adding this stock to a watchlist of financial-sector stocks, and particularly a watchlist that is diversified in this sector such that it includes some asset managers, insurance firms, global banks and regional ones too. It&#8217;s clear as day, there is money to be made in &#8220;managing&#8221; money of others.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Read the full article <a href=\"https:\/\/seekingalpha.com\/article\/4634206-stifel-financial-hold-rating-as-wealth-advisory-grows-but-investment-banking-struggles?source=feed_all_articles\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Research Summary Today I&#8217;ll be rating Stifel Financial (NYSE:SF), in the financials sector, investment banking &amp; brokerage subsector. It had its Q2 earnings result on July 26th and I will do a deep dive into some of that data today as well. For readers less familiar with this company, here are relevant points from their [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":59344,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"gallery","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[236],"tags":[83],"class_list":["post-59343","post","type-post","status-publish","format-gallery","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-featured","post_format-post-format-gallery"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Stifel Financial: Hold As Wealth Advisory Grows But Investment Banking Struggles (NYSE:SF) | iFintechWorld<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Research Summary Today I&#039;ll be rating Stifel Financial (NYSE:SF), in the financials sector, investment banking &amp; brokerage subsector. 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