What is the outlook for the Westpac (ASX:WBC) share price?

Where next for Westpac shares?

| More on:
A man looks at his laptop waiting in anticipation.

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

The Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) share price has been in sensational form again in 2021.

Since the start of the year, the banking giant's shares have risen 26.5% to $24.84.

This means the Westpac share price is now up almost 50% over the last 12 months.

What is the outlook for the Westpac share price?

In light of this strong gain, I thought I would look to see where analysts think the Westpac share price is going from here.

The good news is that there are a number of brokers that believe Westpac shares still have further to run.

One of those is Morgans. Last month the broker retained its add rating and $29.50 price target on the company's shares. Based on the latest Westpac share price, this implies potential upside of almost 19% over the next 12 months before dividends.

And with Morgans forecasting fully franked dividends per share of 112 cents in FY 2021 and 129 cents in FY 2022, the total potential return on offer stretches to around 23.5%.

Is anyone else bullish on Westpac?

Another bullish broker is Citi. Earlier this week the broker retained its buy rating and lifted its price target on the bank's shares to $30.00. This price target implies potential upside of almost 21% over the next 12 months.

A third broker that sees a lot of value in the Westpac share price is Goldman Sachs. It has a buy rating and $29.03 price target on the shares of Australia's oldest bank.

Goldman explained: "We reiterate our Buy on WBC given: The balance of risk to our earnings remains skewed to the upside, with our FY24E cost forecast about 10% above management's FY24E target of A$8 bn (on a like-for-like basis), which, if achieved, would drive our FY24E cash earnings up by c. 7%."

"Volume momentum appears to have been reinvigorated during the [first] half, while containing NIM pressures; The stock is trading more than one standard deviation cheaper versus the sector on PPOP multiples," it added.

All in all, Westpac shares may be outperforming in 2021, but these brokers believe the run can continue.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro owns shares of Westpac Banking Corporation. 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

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 »