Banco Bradesco S.A. Price & Performance (BBDO)

Santander Brasil posted a 27.8% year-over-year rise in first-quarter net profit, reaching 3.86 billion reais ($687 million), slightly beating analyst forecasts. The bank credited disciplined lending and a shift toward higher-profit business lines for the strong performance, despite a challenging macroeconomic environment and rising loan loss provisions.12

Barclays PLC and Raymond James Financial have significantly increased their stakes in Banco Bradesco S.A., coinciding with the bank's announcement of a higher monthly dividend. The new payout brings the annualized yield to nearly 20%, reflecting Bradesco’s commitment to shareholder returns amid a period of steady earnings and stable financial ratios.345

Banco Bradesco shares rose 2.1% to $2.44, with mixed analyst sentiment: HSBC upgraded to "buy" with a $2.80 target, while Goldman Sachs downgraded to "sell." The bank’s latest earnings met expectations, but liquidity and leverage risks remain, making the outlook a topic of debate among investors and analysts.67