What happened with the CBA (ASX:CBA) share price this week?

Higher dividends, share buybacks or both? Let's take a look

| More on:
unhappy investor considering computer screen

Image source: Getty Images

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

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares have been in the red all day. The CBA share price is down 0.6% in the final hour of trading, at $101.21 per share.

That's 1.3% lower than last Friday when the CBA share price closed at a new record high of $102.52.

Finance levels rising, share buyback expectations

With interest rates still near all-time lows and the Australian economy picking up speed, the bank reported a 21% leap in equipment and machinery financing in May year-on-year.

According to CBA executive general manager, business lending, Clare Morgan:

The construction industry in particular, has benefited from multiple government stimulus packages, including record investments in public infrastructure projects and the Homebuilder grant. We're also seeing strong demand for vehicle financing and machinery, particularly in the food manufacturing and agriculture sectors.

The CBA share price may also be in for a lift if WAM Leaders Ltd (ASX: WLE) portfolio manager Matthew Haupt has it right on expectations for share buybacks.

Haupt is bullish overall on the big banks. He believes they'll start returning a trove of excess capital to investors in the next 3-6 months.

On CBA shares specifically, he expects we'll see an off-market share buyback with "a large franking component… National Australia Bank, I think, will do smaller, bite-sized buybacks over the next few years."

How did the CBA share price move this week?

With no rally in the final moments today, the CBA share price has closed lower on 4 of the 5 trading days this week. Thursday, 10 June, was the only day the bank's shares gained, closing the day up 0.76%.

Still, the CBA share price is only a touch off its all-time highs. It remains up more than 50% over the past 12 months, far outpacing the 23% gains posted by the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) over that same time.

Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Bank Shares

A young woman sits at her desk in deep contemplation with her hand to her chin while seriously considering information she is reading on her laptop.
Dividend Investing

Dividends from ASX 200 bank shares 'looking very stretched': expert

The banks have always been a favourite choice among ASX dividend investors. But the outlook ain't great.

Read more »

A pink piggybank sits in a pile of autumn leaves.
Bank Shares

How much higher can the CBA share price rise?

One fund manager has given their view on the biggest bank.

Read more »

A young man goes over his finances and investment portfolio at home.
Bank Shares

Why is the Macquarie share price sinking today?

Let's see what is causing its shares to start the week in the red.

Read more »

Woman with spyglass looking toward ocean at sunset.
Bank Shares

Here's the earnings forecast out to 2029 for NAB shares

Let’s look at what experts are predicting for the bank.

Read more »

A man in a suit looks serious while discussing business dealings with a couple as they sit around a computer at a desk in a bank home lending scenario.
Bank Shares

Here's what Westpac says the RBA will do with interest rates next week

The RBA is meeting on Tuesday. Will it cut rates? Let's find out.

Read more »

A woman wearing yellow smiles and drinks coffee while on laptop.
Bank Shares

CBA shares top $170. Where to now?

Another day, another record high for CBA shares.

Read more »

a young boy dressed in a business suit and wearing thick black glasses peers straight ahead while sitting at a heavy wooden desk with an old-fashioned calculator and adding machine while holding a pen over a large ledger book.
Bank Shares

Which big 4 ASX bank shares does Macquarie expect to cut their dividends?

Not every bank is likely to continue paying the same dividend.

Read more »

A woman sits in her home with chin resting on her hand and looking at her laptop computer with some reflection with an assortment of books and documents on her table.
Bank Shares

Is the CBA share price a buy in May?

The big bank has delivered great returns. Is it still a buy?

Read more »