The Charles Schwab Corporation - SCHW STOCK NEWS

The Charles Schwab Corporation has reported its Monthly Activity Report for January 2022, showcasing significant client engagement. Core net new assets amounted to $33.6 billion, with total client assets reaching $7.80 trillion, marking a 15% year-over-year increase but down 4% month-over-month. Additionally, net new assets, excluding mutual fund clearing, totaled $33.9 billion. Client cash as a percentage of assets was 11.3%, down from 12.2% a year earlier and marginally up from 10.9% in December 2021.

The Charles Schwab Corporation announced a 2 cent increase in its quarterly cash dividend, reflecting an 11% rise to $0.20 per share. This dividend will be distributed on February 25, 2022, to stockholders of record as of February 11, 2022. Chairman Charles Schwab expressed confidence in the company’s earnings and cash flow, emphasizing its strategic direction. The press release also details preferred stock dividends payable on March 1, 2022, for various series, with ranges from $14.88 to $23.125000.

According to Schwab Advisor Services' Independent Advisor Outlook Study, 93% of registered investment advisors (RIAs) anticipate growth in the independent advice industry over the next five years, with an expected 17% increase in net new assets annually. Key growth strategies include client acquisition (64%) and enhancing existing client relationships (34%). Additionally, 52% of advisors believe personalization of investment portfolios will rise, particularly among Millennials. However, 37% of firms report talent acquisition as their biggest operational challenge.

The Charles Schwab Corporation reported a record net income of $1.6 billion for Q4 2021, up from $1.1 billion in Q4 2020. Full-year 2021 net income reached $5.9 billion, a 77% increase year-over-year. The company achieved record core net new assets of $162.2 billion in Q4, totaling $558.2 billion for the year, reflecting an 8% organic growth rate. Client assets rose 22% to $8.14 trillion. Despite transaction-related costs of $255 million in Q4, the pre-tax profit margin was 43%. CEO Walt Bettinger noted strong client engagement amidst fluctuating market conditions.

The Charles Schwab Corporation has secured exclusive naming rights to the NCAA Division I Men's College World Series venue, now named Charles Schwab Field Omaha, through 2029. This follows Schwab's acquisition of TD Ameritrade in October 2020. The agreement includes comprehensive branding at the stadium, which features 24,000 seats and opened in 2011. Schwab's commitment to Omaha is also reflected in their workforce, with nearly 2,200 employees in the area and plans for future growth.

Schwab Asset Management, part of The Charles Schwab Corporation (SCHW), announced that its 27 exchange-traded funds (ETFs) will not distribute capital gains for the 2021 tax year, a significant move for tax efficiency. As the fifth largest ETF provider with over $265 billion in assets, Schwab aims to lower fees and enhance tax advantages for investors. The ETF lineup includes market-cap index, Fundamental Index® ETFs, and the recently introduced Schwab Ariel ESG ETF. This initiative reflects Schwab's commitment to providing low-cost, efficient investment options.

Schwab has launched the Schwab Starter Kit, offering beginner investors $50 to invest in the top five S&P 500 stocks. This initiative aims to facilitate entry into the stock market by providing bite-size educational content and user-friendly investing tools. Over the past 18 months, the company has opened 6.0 million new brokerage accounts, highlighting a trend of new investors entering the market. The Starter Kit includes ownership in fractional shares, tailored educational resources, and valuable investment tools, aiming to support new investors on their financial journey.