BUZZ-Street View: US Bancorp is hitting its stride

U.S. Bancorp USB.N reported a rise in fourth-quarter profit on Thursday, driven by higher trust and investment management fees.

Median PT of 24 brokerages covering the lender is $57 - data compiled by LSEG

BETTER TIMES AHEAD?

Morgan Stanley ("overweight," PT: $59) says focus on tech-led initiatives would be key and expects USB to outperform as rates decline, due to increasing deposit betas and expanding operating leverage

BofA Global Research ("buy," PO: $57) expects better capital returns with resumption of share buybacks and says that the net interest income/margin trajectory looks positive

Piper Sandler ("overweight," PT: $55) says the market clearly remains in a “show me” mode with USB, but the lender is turning a corner

Stephens ("equal-weight," PT: $58) says the “interconnectedness” at USB can drive profits and reduce headwinds in payment services

(Reporting by Akriti Shah)

((akriti.shah@thomsonreuters.com))