Why is the NAB (ASX:NAB) share price having such a merry December?

Here's what the banking giant has been up to this month.

| More on:
A young boy in a business suit giving thumbs up with piggy banks and coin piles demonstrating dividends and ex-dividend day approaching.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX: NAB) share price has surged this month. It has gained 6.8% despite no price-sensitive news having been released by the bank.

However, Australia's second largest bank hasn't been sitting on its hands. Let's take a look at what it has been up to lately.

At the time of writing, NAB's stock is trading at $29.18 apiece.

What might've boosted the NAB share price this month?

The major news moving the NAB share price this month came from the bank's annual general meeting on 17 December.

It saw the bank's chair, Philip Chronican announcing some notable environmental, social, and governance (ESG) changes.

These changes were made after NAB's 2018 self-assessment into governance, accountability, and culture, following the Financial Services Royal Commission.

One of the changes will see 12,000 NAB bankers placed on fixed pay to reduce their need to 'sell' to customers.

That's not the only time NAB's employee's wages have hit headlines this month.

The Finance Sector Union released a damning report in early December. It claimed 87% of Group 3 NAB employees surveyed by the union reported experiencing stress and anxiety stemming from excessive working hours.

And It's not just alleged happenings at the bank's workplaces that have put it in the spotlight recently.

All eyes were on the share price of NAB, and those of its S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) bank peers, after new requirements were put forward by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) earlier this month.

While news the entity could be tightening its strings on financial institutions might have initially worried some investors, the NAB share price ultimately bounced 0.8% following APRA's release on 2 December.

Finally, the bank recently made news by being the latest ASX 200 bank to increase its fixed interest rates.

However, its stock's future could be looking bright.

As The Motley Fool Australia recently reported, Bell Potter believes the NAB share price is in the buy zone. The broker has a price target of $32 on the bank's shares.  

Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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

View from below of a banker jumping for joy in the CBD surrounded by high-rise office buildings.
Bank Shares

3 reasons to buy NAB shares in 2026

The banking giant is still a good buy in my eyes.

Read more »

Nervous customer in discussions at a bank.
Bank Shares

What should you do with your CBA shares in 2026?

The business is still excellent, but the valuation leaves much less room for upside.

Read more »

Four businessmen in suits pose together in a martial arts style pose as if ready to engage in competition or spring into a fight.
Bank Shares

What happened with the big four ASX 200 bank stocks like ANZ and CBA shares in January?

Buying ANZ, NAB, Westpac or CBA shares? Here’s what happened in the month just past.

Read more »

Worried woman calculating domestic bills.
Bank Shares

Where will CBA shares be in 5 years?

CBA's next five years could be quite different to its last five...

Read more »

Small girl giving a fist bump with a piggy bank in front of her.
Bank Shares

Buying Westpac shares today? Here's the dividend yield you'll get

Westpac has a reputation as one of the ASX's most reliable providers of fat, fully franked dividends.

Read more »

A young girl looks up and balances a pencil on her nose, while thinking about a decision she has to make.
Opinions

Should I sell my CBA shares in 2026?

What's next for the banking giant this year?

Read more »

Worried woman calculating domestic bills.
Bank Shares

Big news is making Bank of Queensland shares fall today

There has been some big news out of this bank today.

Read more »

Time to sell ASX 200 shares written on a clock.
Bank Shares

Sell alert! Why this analyst is calling time on ANZ shares

A leading analyst foresees headwinds ahead for ANZ shares. But why?

Read more »