BCH Earnings Miss, Yet Institutional Buys Climb

On FEB 4 2026, BCH dropped by 0.02% within 24 hours to reach $527.2, down 4.74% over the past 7 days, while showing resilience with a 3.84% gain over the last month. Over the past year, however, it has declined by 12.09%.

Q4 Earnings Fall Short of Expectations

Banco De Chile (NYSE:BCH) reported its fourth-quarter earnings on February 3, 2026, at 06:47 AM. The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $0.58, falling short of the estimated $0.6 by 3.0%. The results marked a slight underperformance compared to previous expectations.

Despite the earnings miss, revenue for the quarter increased by $49.00 million year-over-year, showing some underlying strength in its operations. This performance contrasts with the previous quarter, where the company also missed earnings estimates and was followed by a flat movement in share price.

Ongoing Pressure from Credit Losses and Income Shifts

Looking beyond the latest quarterly results, the broader 2025 financial picture for Banco De Chile reveals a 1.3% year-over-year decline in net income to Ch$1,192,262 million. This decline was primarily driven by lower non-customer income and increased retail credit losses. These pressures were partially offset by robust fee growth and disciplined cost management.

Capital and liquidity ratios, however, remain strong, indicating the bank’s ability to maintain stability amid economic challenges. Guidance for 2026 anticipates loan growth outpacing the industry average, suggesting an optimistic outlook in asset expansion.

Analysts Adjust Price Targets Amid Institutional Activity

Analysts have raised their one-year price target for BCH by 18.82%, setting a new average of $45.66 per share. This reflects a range from $45.18 to $47.04. The updated target is a 1.53% decrease from the latest closing price of $46.37, highlighting a cautious stance despite the upward revision.

Institutional ownership trends show a nuanced picture. A total of 163 funds or institutions hold positions in BCH, down slightly by 1.81% from the previous quarter. Portfolio allocations, however, increased by 0.76% on average. Total institutional holdings rose by 2.81% to 14,916K shares over the past three months.

Among major institutional investors, Bridge Builder International Equity Fund increased its holdings by 14.87%, while Itau Unibanco Holding raised its stake by 46.63%. UBS Group also increased its position by 52.39%. In contrast, Baillie Gifford reduced its stake by 27.79%.

The put/call ratio of 0.10 for BCH indicates a generally bullish sentiment among market participants, reflecting confidence in the stock’s potential despite its recent earnings performance.

Summary of Key Metrics

• EPS Q4 2025: $0.58 (Estimate: $0.60)
• Net Income 2025: Down 1.3% YoY
• 1-Year Price Target: Raised to $45.66 (+18.82% from previous)
• Institutional Holdings: +2.81% in 3 months
• Put/Call Ratio: 0.10 (Bullish outlook)

The combination of earnings pressure, credit risk exposure, and institutional confidence highlights a complex picture for BCH investors, with both challenges and cautious optimism shaping the near-term outlook.