What's happening with the ANZ Bank (ASX:ANZ) share price?

The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ASX: ANZ) share price has been surging higher in 2021, but what is driving those gains?

The Australia and New Zealand Banking GrpLtd (ASX: ANZ) share price has been on the charge in recent days. The Aussie bank's share has edged higher on Friday morning and is now up 24.1% since the start of the year.

CBA share price money laundering asx bank shares represented by large buidling with the word 'bank' on it

Image source: Getty Images

Why is the ANZ share price climbing?

It's been a busy start to the year for the Aussie banks but there haven't been many price-sensitive announcements from ANZ itself. Credit rating agency Fitch revised its outlook on ANZ to stable, up from negative, while affirming the bank's long-term issuer default rating (IDR) at A+.

The bank also lost deputy CEO Alexis George who was poached by AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP) after the departure of former CEO Francesco de Ferrari. 

The ANZ share price has been performing well in 2021 as the Aussie housing boom rolls on. That's good news for the lenders as underlying security values increase and default rates remain low.

There are high expectations from certain analysts like those at Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG). Macquarie analysts believe the ANZ share price could be a big winner if the US trend of strong bank results continues in Australia.

Macquarie said, "Our analysis highlights that ANZ appears to be more leveraged to the trends observed from offshore peers". That's largely thanks to a larger global market's business compared to its Big Four peers in Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX: NAB) and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC). 

The ANZ share price is already streets ahead of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) so far this year. Shares in the bank are up 24.1% in 2021 compared to a 5.5% gain for the benchmark Aussie index.

The bank is set to announce its half-year earnings on Wednesday, May 5 and the ANZ share price will be worth watching in the lead-up.

Motley Fool contributor Ken Hall has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Macquarie Group Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Bank Shares

A little girl stands on a chair and reaches really, really high with her hand, in front of a yellow background.
Bank Shares

CBA shares jump 3% today: Is this the start of a rebound?

Find out what is driving the ASX bank shares higher today.

Read more »

Australian dollar notes in the pocket of a man's jeans, symbolising dividends.
Bank Shares

Everything you need to know about the BOQ dividend

The bank is rewarding shareholders with a sizeable payout.

Read more »

Three happy multi-ethnic business colleagues discuss investment or finance possibilities in an office.
Bank Shares

Would I buy Bank of Queensland shares after looking at its results?

The turnaround is progressing, but I still think this smaller bank has something to prove.

Read more »

Man typing on his laptop with a coffee mug at the side.
Bank Shares

Should smart investors be buying NAB shares?

I dig deep to see whether the recent pullback has made this major bank worth buying.

Read more »

A young boy sits on top of a big rubber bouncing ball with handles as he smiles a toothless grin at the camera and bounces above the ground in a grassy field with a blue sky.
Bank Shares

ANZ shares rebound 12% from a 52-week low: Buy, hold, or sell?

ASX bank shares, including ANZ, have faced strong headwinds in 2026.

Read more »

Man holding Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.
Bank Shares

If I buy $6,000 of Westpac shares, how much dividend income will I receive in 2027?

Let’s look at the dividend outlook for Westpac shares…

Read more »

Bank building with the word bank in gold.
Bank Shares

If I invest $15,000 in NAB shares, how much passive income will I receive in 2027?

Is NAB a strong option for dividends?

Read more »

Happy young woman saving money in a piggy bank.
Bank Shares

How many CBA shares do I need to buy for $10,000 of passive income?

The banking giant is popular with income investors for a reasons.

Read more »