As Big Tech Dominates the News, Small-Cap Stocks Are Surging. Can This Momentum Continue?
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 16 2026
0mins
Should l Buy BAC?
Source: Barron's
Tesla's Ambition: Elon Musk predicts that Optimus robots will become the best surgeons on Earth by the end of the decade.
Walmart's Drone Delivery Expansion: Walmart is collaborating with Alphabet to increase aerial drone delivery services to 40 million customers next year, a significant rise from the current two million.
Disney's Theme Park Update: Walt Disney is planning to retheme its Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios to feature The Muppets, showcasing the company's focus on innovative attractions.
Small-Cap Stocks Performance: There is a notable trend of small-cap stocks outperforming larger ones since mid-November, raising questions about whether this is a temporary phenomenon or the beginning of a longer-term recovery.
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Analyst Views on BAC
Wall Street analysts forecast BAC stock price to rise
19 Analyst Rating
15 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 49.830
Low
55.00
Averages
61.64
High
71.00
Current: 49.830
Low
55.00
Averages
61.64
High
71.00
About BAC
Bank of America Corporation is a bank holding company and a financial holding company. Its segments include Consumer Banking, Global Wealth & Investment Management (GWIM), Global Banking and Global Markets. Consumer Banking segment offers a range of credit, banking and investment products and services to consumers and small businesses. The GWIM includes two businesses: Merrill Wealth Management, which provides tailored solutions to meet clients' needs through a full set of investment management, brokerage, banking and retirement products and Bank of America Private Bank, which provides comprehensive wealth management solutions. Global Banking segment provides a range of lending-related products and services, integrated working capital management and treasury solutions, and underwriting and advisory services. Global Markets segment offers sales and trading services and research services to institutional clients across fixed-income, credit, currency, commodity, and equity businesses.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Redemption Announcement: Bank of America has announced the redemption of €1.75 billion in floating rate senior notes on March 10, 2026, which will reduce future interest expenses and optimize its capital structure.
- Redemption Price: The redemption price will be €1,000 per €1,000 Calculation Amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to the redemption date, ensuring investors receive a fair return on their investment.
- Market Impact: This redemption will decrease the circulation of the notes in the financial market, potentially affecting their trading activity on the London Stock Exchange, reflecting Bank of America's focus on capital management.
- Compliance Procedures: Bank of America will request the Financial Conduct Authority to cancel the listing of the notes on the Official List, indicating its commitment to compliance and transparency in capital markets.
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- Stock Performance: In the latest trading session, ExxonMobil's stock rose by over 1%, outperforming the essentially flat S&P 500 index, indicating market optimism regarding its future profitability amid rising oil prices.
- Price Target Increases: Bank of America analyst Jean Ann Salisbury raised ExxonMobil's price target from $135 to $151, and Chevron's from $188 to $206, reflecting expectations of higher oil prices due to geopolitical tensions.
- Market Vigilance: Although no serious damage to Iran's oil production capacity has been reported yet, investors should remain vigilant regarding the situation's developments, as potential supply disruptions could significantly impact oil prices.
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- Compliance Pressure: Dimon emphasizes that banks are compelled to debank clients to comply with regulatory demands, which discourages them from taking on high-risk customers, thereby affecting Trump's banking relationships and those of his companies.
- Regulatory Landscape: While no specific law mandates banks to close accounts due to reputational risk, the existing regulatory framework creates significant risks for banks when dealing with certain clients, as evidenced by JPMorgan's closure of multiple accounts linked to Trump following the January 6 Capitol attack in 2021.
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- Poor Market Performance: UBS's stock has declined 10% this year, underperforming JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs, as investor concerns over legal issues have pressured the stock price, leading to a cautious sentiment among investors despite quarterly earnings beats.
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Bank of America to Redeem €1.75 Billion Notes
- Redemption Announcement: Bank of America has announced the redemption of €1.75 billion in floating rate senior notes on March 10, 2026, which will reduce future interest expenses and optimize its capital structure.
- Redemption Price: The redemption price will be €1,000 per €1,000 Calculation Amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to the redemption date, ensuring investors receive a fair return on their investment.
- Market Impact: This redemption will decrease the circulation of the notes in the financial market, potentially affecting their trading activity on the London Stock Exchange, reflecting Bank of America's focus on capital management.
- Compliance Procedures: Bank of America will request the Financial Conduct Authority to cancel the listing of the notes on the Official List, indicating its commitment to compliance and transparency in capital markets.
See More
Middle East Conflict Boosts ExxonMobil Share Prices
- Stock Price Increase: The geopolitical crisis in the Middle East led to ExxonMobil (XOM) shares rising over 1% on Monday, outperforming the essentially flat S&P 500 index, indicating market optimism towards energy stocks.
- Oil Price Risk Premium: Analysts predict that the potential for rising oil prices due to the conflict with Iran will enhance the fundamentals of major oil companies like ExxonMobil, reflecting market expectations for future price increases.
- Target Price Upgrades: Bank of America analyst Jean Ann Salisbury raised ExxonMobil's price target from $135 to $151, while also increasing Chevron's target from $188 to $206, demonstrating confidence in the companies' future profitability.
- Market Vigilance: Although no serious damage to Iran's oil production capacity has been reported yet, investors should remain vigilant regarding the situation's developments to assess potential impacts on ExxonMobil and other energy stocks.
See More
Middle East Conflict Fuels Oil Price Speculation
- Oil Price Surge Anticipation: The conflict in the Middle East has sparked speculation about a potential spike in oil prices, with analysts suggesting that this will enhance the fundamentals of major energy companies like ExxonMobil, as the oil risk premium is expected to drive stock prices higher.
- Stock Performance: In the latest trading session, ExxonMobil's stock rose by over 1%, outperforming the essentially flat S&P 500 index, indicating market optimism regarding its future profitability amid rising oil prices.
- Price Target Increases: Bank of America analyst Jean Ann Salisbury raised ExxonMobil's price target from $135 to $151, and Chevron's from $188 to $206, reflecting expectations of higher oil prices due to geopolitical tensions.
- Market Vigilance: Although no serious damage to Iran's oil production capacity has been reported yet, investors should remain vigilant regarding the situation's developments, as potential supply disruptions could significantly impact oil prices.
See More
JPMorgan CEO Responds to Trump's Lawsuit Over Account Closures
- Lawsuit Context: Trump accuses JPMorgan of closing his accounts for political reasons and seeks $5 billion in damages; although CEO Jamie Dimon claims the lawsuit lacks merit, he empathizes with Trump's anger, highlighting the legal and regulatory risks banks face in such situations.
- Compliance Pressure: Dimon emphasizes that banks are compelled to debank clients to comply with regulatory demands, which discourages them from taking on high-risk customers, thereby affecting Trump's banking relationships and those of his companies.
- Regulatory Landscape: While no specific law mandates banks to close accounts due to reputational risk, the existing regulatory framework creates significant risks for banks when dealing with certain clients, as evidenced by JPMorgan's closure of multiple accounts linked to Trump following the January 6 Capitol attack in 2021.
- Market Impact and Future Outlook: Dimon noted in an interview that the financial industry is beginning to benefit from a deregulatory push initiated by Trump appointees, which could enhance banks' profitability and reduce capital loss requirements, potentially leading to changes in the current legal and regulatory environment.
See More
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- Earnings Growth Analysis: UBS reported a net profit of $1.2 billion for Q4 on February 6, marking a 56% year-over-year increase, with a full-year profit of $7.8 billion; however, much of this growth stemmed from the release of litigation reserves, raising questions about the sustainability of earnings.
- Ongoing Legal Risks: Despite management discussing cost savings and revenue momentum in core businesses during the investment call, persistent scrutiny from Swiss regulators and client lawsuits could impact future profitability, indicating a challenging environment ahead.
- Poor Market Performance: UBS's stock has declined 10% this year, underperforming JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs, as investor concerns over legal issues have pressured the stock price, leading to a cautious sentiment among investors despite quarterly earnings beats.
- Reputation Risk Emerges: Ultra-high-net-worth individuals are closely monitoring UBS's developments, and the outcomes of ongoing lawsuits may inflict lasting damage on its reputation in emerging markets, with the next earnings call scheduled for April 26.
See More
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- Company Performance: Bob’s Discount Furniture is experiencing significant growth, driven by consumer demand for affordable options amid rising inflation.
- Market Trends: The current economic climate has led many Americans to seek bargains, positively impacting the company's stock performance.
See More
