Is the ANZ share price a buy now?

Is the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX:ANZ) share price a buy with everything that's going on with coronavirus?

| More on:
a woman

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Is the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) share price a buy with everything that's going on with the coronavirus?

The ANZ share price has fallen by over 40% since the share market started declining. So clearly investors haven't been thinking it was good value until recently where it has started treading water.

The big question is how much will ANZ's earnings be hit? And how much will the dividend be cut? The ANZ share price could be a bigger mover if the dividend is cut altogether.

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) has already announced some profit hits to its upcoming result. It's going to be a painful reporting season for all three big banks that are reporting.

Today National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) announced a capital raising for $3.5 billion and it will reduce the interim dividend to 30 cents per share, a decrease of 64%.

If ANZ reduced its dividend by 64% it would be reduced to around 29 cents per share, equating to an annualised grossed-up dividend yield of 5.2% at today's price. But it's a pretty disappointing yield for longer-term income investors with a higher cost base.

There's a chance that ANZ's dividend could be reduced further. ANZ earns more of its money outside of Australia than other major banks. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) has suspended dividend payments for now. But that could help ANZ growth over the medium-term.

Is the ANZ share price a buy?

We don't know how long the coronavirus is going to be a dark cloud over Australia or the rest of the world. Therefore, we don't know how much economic damage there's going to be. We don't know how fast the economy will be able to get back to normal.

Investing in a high-risk business amid the uncertainty isn't my type of play. If there's a V-shaped recovery then ANZ may be cheap. However, it might be worth noting that before the coronavirus declines the Bank of America share price hadn't recovered to its pre-GFC highs. Despite the huge recovery last decade. 

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Bank Shares

Man holding out Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.
Bank Shares

$10,000 invested in Westpac shares 12 months ago is now

Would you be smiling now if you invested in the big four bank a year ago? Let's see.

Read more »

a woman wearing the black and yellow corporate colours of a leading bank gazes out the window in thought as she holds a tablet in her hands.
Bank Shares

These 3 headwinds make CBA shares a sell: expert

This leading expert believes now is a good time to take profit on CBA shares. Let’s find out why.

Read more »

Happy young woman saving money in a piggy bank.
Bank Shares

Are ANZ shares still in the buy zone near 6-month highs

Bank stocks have rallied hard in 2024.

Read more »

Bank building in a financial district.
Bank Shares

Is this the $350 million reason the Big Four bank shares are falling today?

It’s another challenging day for banks.

Read more »

Young professional person providing advise to older couple.
Bank Shares

NAB shares sink on ASIC legal action

The banking giant failed 345 of its most vulnerable customers.

Read more »

Nervous customer in discussions at a bank.
Bank Shares

Is the NAB share price actually expensive?

Should investors be looking at NAB stock as a bargain?

Read more »

CBA share price represented by branch welcome sign
Bank Shares

Own CBA shares? Here's a major milestone you may have missed this week

CBA shares marked a groundbreaking achievement this week.

Read more »

A mature age woman with a groovy short haircut and glasses, sits at her computer, pen in hand thinking about information she is seeing on the screen.
Bank Shares

Up 52% in a year! Is this rocketing ASX bank stock the perfect pick for my retirement portfolio?

Are CBA shares right for retirees?

Read more »