Bull case
RY would need investors to value it at roughly 44x earnings — about 33x more generous than today's 11x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
Wall Street verdict, consensus price target, and analyst rating breakdown — everything needed to frame the risk/reward at today's price.
Three scenarios for where RY stock could go
RY would need investors to value it at roughly 44x earnings — about 33x more generous than today's 11x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
At 18x on FY1 earnings, the base case reflects a reasonable but not stretched valuation. It prices in continued growth without assuming an exceptional setup.
The bear case assumes sentiment or fundamentals disappoint enough to push RY down roughly 3% from the current price.
Not financial advice. Model confidence reflects internal scenario assumptions, not a guarantee of returns. Past performance does not predict future results.

Royal Bank of Canada is a diversified financial services institution operating primarily in Canada and internationally. It generates revenue mainly through personal and commercial banking (roughly 50% of earnings), wealth management, capital markets, and insurance services. The bank's competitive advantage lies in its dominant Canadian retail banking franchise — the largest in the country — supported by extensive branch networks and long-standing customer relationships.
Quarterly beat-or-miss track record against analyst estimates, plus forward revenue and EPS outlook for the next two fiscal years.
| Quarter | EPS (Actual / Est) | EPS Surprise | Revenue (Actual / Est) | Rev Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q2 2025 | $2.20/$2.25 | -2.2% | $15.7B/$11.8B | +32.1% |
| Q3 2025 | $2.79/$2.36 | +18.2% | $17.0B/$12.1B | +40.1% |
| Q4 2025 | $2.76/$2.51 | +10.0% | $17.2B/$12.5B | +37.3% |
| Q1 2026 | $2.94/$2.81 | +4.6% | $13.2B/$12.9B | +2.5% |
RY beat EPS estimates in 3 of 4 tracked quarters. A strong delivery record supports forward estimate credibility.
Product and geographic revenue mix from the latest annual disclosure, with year-over-year growth by segment.
Latest annual revenue by segment or product family
Latest annual revenue by reported region
Tap, hover, or focus a slice to inspect segment detail.
Current multiples compared to the S&P 500, the company's sector, and its own five-year average.
Fair value est. $188 — implies +4.7% from today's price.
| Metric | RY | S&P 500 | Financial Services | 5Y Avg RY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward PE | 11.3x | 19.1x-41% | 10.4x | — |
| Trailing PE | 17.2x | 25.1x-31% | 13.3x+29% | 9.3x+84% |
| PEG Ratio | 1.38x | 1.72x-20% | 1.01x+36% | — |
| EV/EBITDA | 37.8x | 15.2x+149% | 11.4x+231% | 31.2x+21% |
| Price/FCF | 6.4x | 21.1x-70% | 10.6x-39% | 5.2x+23% |
| Price/Sales | 2.5x | 3.1x-21% | 2.2x+11% | 1.7x+49% |
| Dividend Yield | 2.57% | 1.87% | 2.70% | 4.56% |
Forward P/E and PEG reflect analyst consensus estimates. Historical averages use trailing ratios where forward data is unavailable.S&P 500 and sector benchmarks both use trailing median P/E — similar readings indicate the broader index and sector are priced alike.
Open valuation toolRY generates 14.6% ROE and 0.9% return on assets — the two primary signals for banking profitability. FCF-based metrics are not applicable to financial companies.
Revenue, profitability, and return on capital
ROIC, leverage, and debt serviceability
Traditional FCF and debt/FCF ratios are not meaningful for financial companies. Focus on ROE and ROA above.
How capital is returned to owners
All figures from the trailing twelve months. For financial companies, ROE and ROA are the primary health signals — FCF-based metrics are not applicable.
Open full ratios pageKey factors that could pressure the stock price, compress the multiple, or weigh on future results.
AI analysis · updated April 11, 2026
Millions of Canadians will renew mortgages at higher rates in 2026, potentially increasing retail credit stress. Rising rates could lead to higher default rates and reduced loan quality, impacting RY's loan portfolio.
RY’s net interest margin is sensitive to changes in borrowing and lending rates due to its short‑term funding and long‑term loan structure. A shift in rates could compress margins and reduce profitability.
RY must maintain sufficient cash and liquid assets to meet short‑term obligations. Rising competition for deposits and complex products could strain liquidity, especially during market stress.
The possibility of borrower defaults or late payments remains a core risk for banks. Credit losses could erode RY’s capital and earnings if default rates rise.
RY’s debt‑to‑equity ratio of roughly 6x amplifies exposure to credit and interest‑rate shocks, potentially reducing loss‑absorbing capacity.
Regulators may raise capital buffers during economic instability, which could constrain RY’s ability to deploy capital and grow earnings.
These are risk mechanisms, not predictions. The key question is which would force a cut to earnings estimates or a lower multiple than the market currently prices in.
Structural drivers behind the upside case and why the stock could outperform over the next 12 months.
AI analysis · updated April 11, 2026
Royal Bank of Canada has shown consistent earnings growth, with revenue rising from C$14.2 billion in Q4 2024 to C$16.9 billion in Q1 2026. Basic EPS climbed to C$4.03 in Q1 2026, and the bank projects EPS growth of 9–13 % for FY26–FY27, supported by a 15.4 % net profit margin.
The recent acquisition of HSBC Canada is expected to bolster RY’s Personal and Commercial Banking footprint, adding new client segments and cross‑sell opportunities that will drive future revenue growth.
RY has increased its quarterly dividend to C$1.54 per share, delivering a 3.47 % yield. The low payout ratio and proven dividend growth provide a solid return to shareholders while leaving room for reinvestment.
RY is showing signs of breaking out from a multi‑month consolidation pattern, with key resistance around $175–$177. A decisive move above this zone on strong volume could signal a resumption of its uptrend.
RY maintains an A‑level credit rating and lower leverage, underscoring its strong balance sheet and providing a cushion against macro headwinds.
A real bull case compounds — each driver matters most when it strengthens margins, supports capital returns, and keeps the company above the market's minimum growth bar simultaneously.
52-week range context and price returns across multiple time horizons. Dividend contribution is shown separately in the Capital Return section.
Range context matters because valuation compression and earnings misses rarely hit from the same starting point. A stock already far below its high can still fall, but it is no longer carrying the same embedded optimism as one pressing a fresh peak.
Valuation, growth, and margin comparison against the closest publicly traded peers for this company.
| Company | Mkt Cap | Fwd PE | Rev Grw | Margin | Rating | Upside |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RY RY Royal Bank of Canada | $249.9B | 11.3x | -11.4% | — | Hold | -30.0% |
TD TD The Toronto-Dominion Bank | $177.6B | 11.3x | -13.6% | — | Hold | -15.5% |
BMO BMO Bank of Montreal | $107.1B | 10.7x | -12.2% | — | Buy | -39.1% |
BNS BNS The Bank of Nova Scotia | $94.8B | 9.4x | +8.4% | — | Buy | -5.9% |
CM CM Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce | $102.0B | 10.8x | -13.7% | — | Hold | -3.2% |
JPM JPM JPMorgan Chase & Co. | $834.2B | 13.9x | -6.4% | — | Buy | +9.5% |
This peer comparison reflects companies with similar business models, product lines, or market positioning, supplemented by industry grouping when direct matches are limited.
RY returns capital mainly through $13.5B/year in buybacks (4.0% buyback yield), with a modest 2.57% dividend — combining for 6.5% total shareholder yield. The dividend has grown for 10 consecutive years.
Yield, cadence, and growth quality
How much per-share support comes from repurchases
| Year | Div / Share | YoY Grw | BB Yield | Total Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $2.40 | — | — | — |
| 2025 | $4.32 | +6.0% | 6.5% | 10.8% |
| 2024 | $4.08 | +2.9% | 3.9% | 7.8% |
| 2023 | $3.96 | +3.5% | 3.7% | 8.7% |
| 2022 | $3.83 | +11.2% | 8.7% | 14.0% |
Common questions answered from live analyst data and company financials.
Royal Bank of Canada (RY) is rated Hold by Wall Street analysts as of 2026. Of 29 analysts covering the stock, 12 rate it Buy or Strong Buy, 16 rate it Hold, and 1 rate it Sell or Strong Sell. The consensus 12-month price target is $125, implying -30.0% from the current price of $178. The bear case scenario is $184 and the bull case is $694.
The Wall Street consensus price target for RY is $125 based on 29 analyst estimates. The high-end target is $193 (+8.1% from today), and the low-end target is $94 (-47.3%). The base case model target is $281.
RY trades at 11.3x times forward earnings. The stock currently trades at a discount to the broader market. Based on current multiples versus the peer group, the relative model signals fairly valued. Whether the stock is over or undervalued ultimately depends on whether consensus earnings estimates are achievable.
The primary risks for RY in 2026 are: (1) Mortgage Renewal Stress — Millions of Canadians will renew mortgages at higher rates in 2026, potentially increasing retail credit stress. (2) Interest Rate Risk — RY’s net interest margin is sensitive to changes in borrowing and lending rates due to its short‑term funding and long‑term loan structure. (3) Liquidity Risk — RY must maintain sufficient cash and liquid assets to meet short‑term obligations. Each factor has the potential to pressure earnings or compress the stock's valuation multiple.
Analyst consensus estimates RY will report consensus revenue of $121.8B (-11.4% year-over-year) and EPS of $15.97 (+10.5% year-over-year) for the upcoming fiscal year. The following year, analysts project $128.5B in revenue.
A confirmed upcoming earnings date for RY is not yet available. Check the Earnings section above for the most recent quarterly report dates and forward estimates.
Royal Bank of Canada (RY) generated $53.0B in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months. RY returns capital to shareholders through dividends (2.6% yield) and share repurchases ($13.5B TTM).