Bank of America (BAC) Faces Long-Term Risks From Rising Expense Pressures

Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) ranks among the best financial stocks to buy according to billionaire Israel Englander. On January 7, Wolfe Research downgraded Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) from Outperform to Peer Perform, citing limited growth and concerns about a rise in expenses in 2026. The firm added that, although Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) has outpaced both the overall market and the banking sector since Wolfe’s early 2024 rating, its projected earnings tailwinds have been reflected in consensus forecasts.

The firm also noted that Bank of America’s valuation disparity has decreased when compared to competitors such as Wells Fargo (WFC), with BAC shares currently trading roughly on par with WFC based on Wolfe’s 2027 earnings forecasts, while facing greater negative correction risk.

In its 2026 Outlook Sentiment survey, the firm found that Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) was among the most packed positions, indicating a less favorable posture, and deemed that the stock currently offers a mere 9% potential gain.

Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC), through its subsidiaries, provides a range of financial products and services to individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide.

While we acknowledge the potential of BAC  as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.