New York, February 3, 2026, 20:56 EST — The market has closed.
- Shares of BAC rose roughly 0.7% Tuesday, finishing at $54.45.
- After the close, the bank announced a $0.28 quarterly dividend on common stock.
- Traders are focused on the impact of the U.S. government shutdown, which has delayed crucial labor-market data.
Bank of America shares ended Tuesday up 0.7%, closing at $54.45—a 40-cent rise. The bank announced its quarterly dividend after the market closed. During the session, the stock fluctuated between $53.68 and $55.11, with roughly 41.2 million shares traded.
The dividend call comes at a sensitive time for major banks. Investors are demanding reliable payouts, yet they’re still waiting for clear signals on interest rates and the broader economy—and so far, those remain elusive.
This matters for banks since the rate trajectory directly impacts their earnings potential. Shifts in expectations can send bank stocks moving sharply, even without any company-specific news.
Bank of America’s board approved a regular quarterly cash dividend of 28 cents per share on common stock, set for payment on March 27 to those holding shares as of March 6. The board also announced a $1.75 quarterly dividend on its Series B preferred shares, payable April 24 to shareholders recorded on April 10, the bank said from Charlotte. (Bank of America)
Tuesday saw the broader market turn unforgiving. Investors pulled back from tech amid growing concerns that artificial intelligence could squeeze software profit margins.
The S&P 500 dropped 0.84%, with the Nasdaq down 1.43% on the day. Art Hogan of B. Riley Wealth warned that certain software stocks “may well be disrupted.” John Campbell from Allspring Global Investments added that “expectations are really high” and some market segments are “priced for perfection.” (Reuters)
Big banks outperformed the broader market. JPMorgan Chase & Co. climbed roughly 2.2%, Citigroup Inc edged up about 1.3%, while Wells Fargo & Co. barely moved.
A Federal Reserve survey released this week suggests a more stable credit environment—at least in theory. Banks anticipate a pickup in business loan demand in 2026, but also warn of rising delinquencies and charge-offs, especially for small business loans and auto loans. (Investing)
The immediate concern is the data calendar. Due to the partial government shutdown, the U.S. Labor Department announced a delay to the January employment report, with other labor data also pushed back. The Bureau of Labor Statistics had the jobs report slated for Feb. 6 at 8:30 a.m. ET. (AP News)
BAC faces risk heading into Wednesday’s session. A prolonged shutdown could keep traders fixated on fragments, shifting rate expectations. Meanwhile, a sharper slowdown would start to hit credit costs and charge-offs.
Investors are still anchored to the bank’s mid-January figures. Bank of America reported an 8% rise in average loans compared to the previous year. Net interest income—the gap between earnings on loans and costs on deposits—reached a record $15.9 billion. CFO Alastair Borthwick noted the bank was experiencing “growth in all of the consumer borrowing categories.” (Reuters)
U.S. markets reopen Wednesday, and traders will zero in on any updates about the delayed jobs report. Movements in yields will also be closely watched, as they directly impact bank valuations. The next key date for rates is the Fed’s minutes from its Jan. 27-28 meeting, set for release Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. in Washington, per the central bank’s calendar. (Federalreserve)
