IMS Investment Management Services Ltd. cut its Bank of America holdings by 48.7% in the third quarter, selling 25,965 shares and retaining 27,317 shares valued at approximately $1.41 million as of the latest SEC filing. This sizeable divestment stands in contrast to other firms: Brighton Jones LLC increased its stake by 30.0% to 108,872 shares (worth $4.79 million), Quarry LP initiated a new position valued at $512,000, and Maverick Capital Ltd. established a new holding valued at $152.1 million. Institutional ownership remains high at 70.71%, underscoring continued confidence despite shifts among large investors.

In the quarter ended September 30, the bank delivered earnings of $1.06 per share, outperforming consensus by $0.13, driven by revenue of $27.05 billion, up 10.8% year-over-year. Net margin reached 15.70% and return on equity was 10.76%. These results follow a period in which the firm bolstered its net interest income through higher yielding assets, while managing credit costs near historic lows. Analysts project full-year earnings of 3.7 per share, reflecting sustained growth in both consumer and corporate lending segments.

On December 26, the company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.28 per share to stockholders of record as of December 5, translating to an annualized payout of $1.12 and a 2.0% yield. The current payout ratio stands at 30.52%, signaling a balanced approach to returning capital while preserving room for reinvestment and regulatory capital requirements. Looking ahead, management has emphasized the potential for further dividend increases contingent on capital ratios and economic conditions.