Check out the robotaxi version of Volkswagen's ID Buzz.
VW subsidiary Moia announced today the series production version of the fully autonomous ID Buzz minivans that will comprise the company's robotaxi fleet in Los Angeles in 2026. If you've ever ridden in a Waymo, you'll recognize a few familiar designs, like 'start/stop' buttons, an external keypad for entry, and plenty of cameras inside and out the vehicle. I also noticed a bunch of smart choices, like luggage carriers in place of a front passenger seat and linoleum flooring for the passenger who inevitably spills their full Starbucks drink (or vomits, I guess).
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While investment banking fees dipped 3% to $1.5 billion, reflecting a broader slowdown in U.S. M&A, CEO Alastair Borthwick pointed to a strengthening deal pipeline. A more business-friendly climate under the Trump administration could accelerate this recovery. Meanwhile, the ongoing market resilience, even amid geopolitical tensions, signals investor optimism regarding pro-growth policies. For BAC, that translates into more opportunities to capitalize on volatility. Should deregulation spark renewed corporate deal flow—or support BAC's push into digital assets, such as its proposed USD-backed stablecoin—the bank could unlock new revenue streams and deepen its market advantage. Deregulation could be a goldmine for BAC's shareholders as well. With less capital tied up, BAC can ramp up buybacks and dividends. In Q1, earnings rose 11% to $7.4 billion, backed by a robust Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of 11.8%, well above the 10.7% minimum. This gives BAC plenty of room to return capital if these ratio requirements go down. Today, it has a $0.26 quarterly dividend yield of 2.25%, which the company has grown for 11 straight years, with 16 years of dividend growth to boot, according to TipRanks data. Meanwhile, projected buybacks for the year reach $18 billion, screaming confidence. In fact, BAC trades at a buyback yield of 4.3% on recent repurchases, which, along with the dividend, form a blended yield of 6.5%. Not bad for a company expected to see notable growth in the near term. In the meantime, the payout ratio stands at just 28.4% this year's consensus EPS estimate of $3.66, so an acceleration in the rate of dividend hikes is indeed possible. At today's share price, BAC stock is trading at its 52-week highs, but in my view, it's still a steal. Consensus EPS estimates project 14% growth to $3.66 in 2025, followed by an acceleration to 17% growth to $4.25 in 2026. 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Bank of America is approaching a pivotal moment, with potential deregulation poised to unlock fresh growth opportunities. Positioned to boost lending, energize its capital markets division, and enhance shareholder returns, BAC looks compelling—especially at just 12.7x earnings and with EPS expected to rise 14–17% in the near term. While macroeconomic risks, such as trade tensions and interest rate shifts, remain, the bank's strong balance sheet and diversified operations provide a solid foundation for continued performance and investor upside. Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue Sign in to access your portfolio
