Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) shares are charging higher today.
Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) diversified financial stock closed yesterday trading for $199.47. In afternoon trade on Tuesday, shares are changing hands for $205.40 apiece, up 2.97%.
Despite today's strong run, Macquarie shares remain down 7.13% in 2025, underperforming the 2.95% year-to-date losses posted by the benchmark index.
Taking a step back, Macquarie stock has gained 4.01% since this time last year, outpacing the 1.88% gains delivered by the ASX 200.
Eligible shareholders will also have received $6.45 a share in partly franked dividends over the full year. At the current share price, this sees Macquarie trading on a 3.14% partly franked trailing dividend yield.
Turning our attention to the year ahead, should I buy the ASX 200 financial stock today?
For some greater insight into that question, we defer to Shaw and Partners' Jed Richards (courtesy of The Bull).
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Should I snap up Macquarie shares today?
"Macquarie is a steady performer, supported by its diversified operations across infrastructure, renewables and financial services," said Richards, who has a hold recommendation on Macquarie shares for now.
Richards noted:
Macquarie reported a first half net profit of $1.612 billion in fiscal year 2025. In a third quarter trading update in February, fiscal year 2025 net profit after tax was broadly in line with the prior corresponding period.
But with plenty of market uncertainty and rising volatility, Richards isn't ready to pull the trigger on the ASX 200 financial stock just yet.
"Macquarie's strong balance sheet and diversified revenue streams make it a stable investment," he said. "But short-term challenges, such as rising costs, global volatility and uncertainty may limit immediate upside."
What's the latest from the ASX 200 financial stock?
Macquarie shares closed up 1.6% on 11 February, the day the company released its third-quarter trading update.
The strong balance sheet that Richards referred to above saw Macquarie reporting that it was "comfortably exceeding" its regulatory requirements, with a group capital surplus of $8.5 billion and a bank common equity tier 1 (CET1) ratio of 12.6%.
The ASX 200 stock also likely has caught some tailwinds with management approving an extension of the on-market share buyback of up to $2 billion for a further 12 months in November. As at 10 February, Macquarie had bought back $1.01 billion of shares at an average price of $189.80.
"Macquarie remains well-positioned to deliver superior performance in the medium term with its diverse business mix across annuity-style and markets-facing businesses," CEO Shemara Wikramanayake said on the day.
