Capital One Financial (NYSE:COF) Sets New 1-Year High – Time to Buy?

Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF) shares hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $247.25 and last traded at $246.9060, with a volume of 1868843 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $243.73.

Key Headlines Impacting Capital One Financial

Here are the key news stories impacting Capital One Financial this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts maintain a positive tilt: the consensus rating across analysts is an average “Moderate Buy,” which supports continued demand from institutional investors. Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF) Receives Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts
• Positive Sentiment: Truist Securities has reiterated its buy recommendation, signaling continued sell-side conviction that may keep flows into the stock. Truist Securities maintains Capital One Financial (COF) buy recommendation
• Positive Sentiment: Momentum narratives are fueling interest: multiple pieces highlight COF as a strong momentum/long-term momentum candidate, which can attract momentum-focused funds and retail buyers. Why Capital One (COF) is a top momentum stock for the long term
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks and other outlets spotlighted COF’s style/momentum scores, reinforcing quantitative buy signals that can drive algorithmic and ETF flows. Why Capital One (COF) is a Top Momentum Stock for the Long-Term
• Positive Sentiment: An investor letter cited by InsiderMonkey highlights how Capital One’s positioning has appealed to some active managers, which can support durable flows. Here’s What Positioned Capital One (COF) Uniquely
• Neutral Sentiment: Q4 2025 earnings preview: analysts and media are setting expectations ahead of the report — results and commentary on credit trends or buyback/guidance could swing sentiment. What to Expect From Capital One’s Q4 2025 Earnings Report
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage of Capital One preferreds provides alternative exposure context but is unlikely to move the common stock materially by itself. Capital One Financial PFDs: What’s In Your Portfolio?
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation is being reassessed after a 19% monthly and ~39% annual share-price surge; some analysts/holders may trim positions or slow new purchases until post-earnings clarity, creating near-term selling pressure. Capital One (COF): Reassessing Valuation After a 19% Monthly and 39% Annual Share Price Surge

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on COF shares. Wall Street Zen raised Capital One Financial from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, September 26th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their target price on shares of Capital One Financial from $240.00 to $263.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. HSBC upped their price target on shares of Capital One Financial from $218.00 to $234.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. UBS Group reduced their price objective on shares of Capital One Financial from $270.00 to $266.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on Capital One Financial from $266.00 to $276.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $265.25.

Capital One Financial Price Performance

The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $223.01 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $217.95. The firm has a market capitalization of $157.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 104.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.57 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.03.

Capital One Financial (NYSE:COF) last announced its earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The financial services provider reported $5.95 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $15.46 billion during the quarter. Capital One Financial had a net margin of 2.24% and a return on equity of 10.94%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Capital One Financial Corporation will post 15.65 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Capital One Financial Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Investors of record on Monday, November 17th were paid a $0.80 dividend. This is a boost from Capital One Financial’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.60. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 17th. Capital One Financial’s payout ratio is currently 135.02%.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Lia Dean sold 3,269 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $218.15, for a total value of $713,132.35. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 69,855 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,238,868.25. This represents a 4.47% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Celia Karam sold 2,936 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $218.15, for a total value of $640,488.40. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 63,433 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,837,908.95. This represents a 4.42% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 280,218 shares of company stock valued at $62,395,804. 1.26% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Capital One Financial

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in COF. AIA Group Ltd grew its holdings in shares of Capital One Financial by 100.4% during the 3rd quarter. AIA Group Ltd now owns 24,362 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $5,179,000 after purchasing an additional 12,207 shares during the last quarter. Keel Point LLC boosted its position in Capital One Financial by 2.6% during the third quarter. Keel Point LLC now owns 4,243 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $902,000 after buying an additional 109 shares during the period. FNY Investment Advisers LLC grew its stake in shares of Capital One Financial by 2,698.5% during the third quarter. FNY Investment Advisers LLC now owns 3,750 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $797,000 after buying an additional 3,616 shares during the last quarter. Severin Investments LLC grew its stake in shares of Capital One Financial by 3.1% during the third quarter. Severin Investments LLC now owns 2,434 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $517,000 after buying an additional 74 shares during the last quarter. Finally, IFP Advisors Inc increased its holdings in shares of Capital One Financial by 4.1% in the third quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 11,603 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $2,467,000 after buying an additional 461 shares during the period. 89.84% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Capital One Financial Company Profile

Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE: COF) is a diversified bank holding company headquartered in McLean, Virginia. The company’s core businesses include credit card lending, consumer and commercial banking, and auto finance. Capital One issues a wide range of credit card products for consumers and small businesses, and it operates deposit and digital banking services aimed at retail customers and small to midsize enterprises.

Products and services include credit and charge cards, checking and savings accounts (including the online-focused Capital One 360 platform), auto loans, and commercial lending solutions.