New York, February 3, 2026, 20:56 EST — The market closed for the day.
- On Tuesday, BAC shares climbed about 0.7%, closing at $54.45.
- Following the close, the bank declared a quarterly dividend of $0.28 per common share.
- Traders are zeroed in on the fallout from the U.S. government shutdown, which has pushed back key labor-market data.
Bank of America shares closed Tuesday 0.7% higher at $54.45, gaining 40 cents. The bank revealed its quarterly dividend following the market’s close. Throughout the day, the stock swung between $53.68 and $55.11, with about 41.2 million shares changing hands.
The dividend call arrives amid a tricky moment for major banks. Investors want steady payouts, but clear clues on interest rates and the economy remain hard to come by.
This is crucial for banks because the path of interest rates directly affects their profit outlook. Changes in those expectations can cause bank shares to swing dramatically, even when there’s no fresh company news.
Bank of America’s board greenlit a 28-cent quarterly cash dividend on common stock, with payment due March 27 to shareholders of record on March 6. It also declared a $1.75 quarterly dividend on Series B preferred shares, scheduled for April 24 payment to those on the books as of April 10, the bank said from Charlotte.
Tuesday brought a harsh mood to the broader market. Investors retreated from tech stocks, spooked by rising worries that artificial intelligence might erode software profit margins.
The S&P 500 slid 0.84%, while the Nasdaq fell 1.43% on the session. Art Hogan at B. Riley Wealth cautioned that some software stocks “may well be disrupted.” John Campbell of Allspring Global Investments noted that “expectations are really high” and certain market areas appear “priced for perfection.” Reuters
Big banks beat the broader market. JPMorgan Chase & Co. rose around 2.2%, Citigroup Inc gained about 1.3%, and Wells Fargo & Co. showed little change.
A Federal Reserve survey out this week points to a steadier credit landscape—at least on paper. Banks expect business loan demand to rise in 2026, yet they’re bracing for higher delinquencies and charge-offs, particularly in small business and auto loans.
The data calendar is the immediate issue. The U.S. Labor Department, citing the partial government shutdown, said the January employment report will be delayed. Other labor figures are postponed too. The Bureau of Labor Statistics had originally scheduled the jobs report for Feb. 6 at 8:30 a.m. ET.
BAC is on uneven ground as Wednesday approaches. An extended shutdown might keep traders locked onto fragments, pushing rate expectations around. On the other hand, a more pronounced slowdown could begin to weigh on credit costs and charge-offs.
Investors remain focused on the bank’s mid-January numbers. Bank of America saw average loans climb 8% year-over-year. Net interest income—the difference between loan earnings and deposit costs—hit a record $15.9 billion. CFO Alastair Borthwick said the bank was seeing “growth in all of the consumer borrowing categories.” Reuters
U.S. markets kick off again Wednesday, with traders focused on any news about the postponed jobs report. Yields will draw attention too, given their influence on bank valuations. The next significant date on the calendar is the Fed’s minutes from the Jan. 27-28 meeting, due out Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. in Washington, according to the central bank’s schedule.
