The Westpac share price could offer a 20% return: Goldman Sachs

This leading broker is urging investors to buy this bank share following its results release.

| More on:
A female executive smiles as she carries out business on her mobile phone.

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 was on form on Monday.

The banking giant's share rose almost 2% to $21.74. This was driven by a positive reaction to the company's half-year results release.

In case you missed it, Australia's oldest bank reported a 22% increase in profit to $4 billion. This was driven by a combination of solid net interest income growth and lower expenses.

This allowed the Westpac board to declare a 70 cents per share fully franked interim dividend, which was up 15% year over year.

Is the Westpac share price good value?

The good news for investors is that analysts at Goldman Sachs believe that the Westpac share price remains great value. So much so, the broker has kept the bank on its coveted conviction list with a buy rating and trimmed price target of $24.67.

Based on where its shares are currently trading, this implies potential upside of 13.5% for investors over the next 12 months.

But it gets better. Goldman is forecasting a 6.4% dividend yield in FY 2023 (and FY 2024), which lifts the potential 12-month total return to approximately 20%.

What did the broker say?

In respect to its results, the broker was reasonably pleased with what it saw. It said:

WBC's 1H23 cash earnings (GS basis ex-notables) from continued operations were up significantly hoh and +8% above GSe (+1% ex notables and businesses sold). The beat was driven by higher trading income and lower BDDs, partially offset by lower NIMs, and in line expenses, such that POP came in 3% higher than GSe (-1% ex notables and businesses sold). The 1H23 DPS of 70¢ (payout ratio 60%) was lower than GSe (72¢), and the DRP will be done with no discount. WBC's 1H23 CET1 of 12.3% (globally harmonised 18.1%) was 26 bp better than GSe. WBC reiterated that it would operate within a CET1 range of 11.0-11.5% and amended its payout ratio range to 65-75% of reported NPAT, ex-notables.

Why is it so bullish?

Goldman Sachs has outlined three key reasons why it is bullish on the Westpac share price. They are as follows:

We remain Buy rated (on CL) on WBC given: i) we view WBC's NIM management in the half as a positive relative to peers, in particular having achieved an exit NIM that was flat versus 2Q23 average in contrast with peers who saw continued deterioration, ii) despite WBC walking away from its FY24E cost target of A$8.6 bn, we expect a broadly flat cost trajectory over the next two years, which will see WBC outperform peers in this relatively difficult inflationary environment, and iii) the stock is trading on a c.11x 12-month forward PER (ex-dividend adjusted), which is a 23% discount to peers (versus 3% historic discount), and our revised TP of A$24.67 offers 25% [now 20%] TSR.

Should you invest $1,000 in Cettire Limited right now?

Before you buy Cettire Limited shares, consider this:

Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Cettire Limited wasn't one of them.

The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys...

See The 5 Stocks *Returns as of 3 April 2025

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in 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 recommended Westpac Banking Corporation. 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

Worried woman calculating domestic bills.
Bank Shares

Which 2 big ASX bank shares will be most impacted by RBA rate cuts according to Macquarie?

Which banks could see the most pain from RBA rate cuts?

Read more »

A man sits thoughtfully on the couch with a laptop on his lap.
Earnings Results

Bank of Queensland share price lifts off on soaring profits and boosted dividend

ASX investors are piling into Bank of Queensland shares on Wednesday. Here’s why.

Read more »

A small child in a judo outfit with a green belt strikes a martial arts pose with his hand thrust forward.
Bank Shares

3 reasons to buy this quality ASX 200 bank stock today

Up 27% in a year, a leading expert forecasts more upside potential for this ASX 200 bank stock.

Read more »

A woman sits at her computer with her hand to her mouth and a contemplative smile on her face as she reads about the performance of Allkem shares on her computer
Bank Shares

Is this the right time to invest in Westpac shares?

Is this blue-chip bank an appealing option right now?

Read more »

Woman and man calculating a dividend yield.
Bank Shares

2 ASX 200 bank stocks to sell today: Bell Potter

Bell Potter forecasts more headwinds in 2025 for these two ASX 200 banks.

Read more »

Two boys lie in the grass arm wrestling.
Share Market News

Regional bank battle:Bendigo Bank or Bank of Queensland shares?

Looking outside the big four? These two regional banks might be worth considering

Read more »

A man watches the share price movement closely.
Bank Shares

I want to buy CBA shares. What price should I pay?

What would be a good valuation to buy CBA at?

Read more »

Buy, hold, and sell ratings written on signs on a wooden pole.
Bank Shares

ANZ shares: Buy, sell, hold?

With the ANZ share price in retreat, the bank stock’s dividend yield is now at 6.2%.

Read more »