Is the NAB share price good value after crashing 24%?

Let's see if now is a good time to buy this banking giant's shares.

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National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) shares have come under significant pressure recently.

On Monday, the NAB share price is trading at $37.68. That leaves the banking giant only modestly above its 52-week low of $35.48 and a long way from its 52-week high of $49.45.

In fact, NAB shares are now down approximately 24% from that high.

Does this pullback mean NAB shares are now good value?

A man casually dressed looks to the side in a pensive, thoughtful manner with one hand under his chin, and holding a mobile phone in his other hand.

Image source: Getty Images

Why has the NAB share price pulled back?

NAB is one of Australia's largest banks and remains a major dividend payer.

But the banking sector is facing a more complicated backdrop than it was a year ago.

Higher interest rates can put pressure on borrowers, slow credit growth, and increase the risk of bad debts. At the same time, intense competition for deposits and home loans can make it harder for banks to grow margins.

Proposed changes to negative gearing could also create uncertainty for property investors and the broader housing market.

This is important because Australian banks are deeply tied to housing, business lending, consumer confidence, and the health of the economy.

When investors become concerned about these areas, bank valuations can come under pressure quickly.

What are brokers saying?

Broker opinion on NAB is mixed.

Citi recently placed a neutral rating on the bank's shares with a $36.75 price target. Based on the current share price, that suggests the broker sees the stock as trading close to fair value.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) is also neutral, though its $39.00 price target sits slightly above the current share price and implies potential upside of around 3.5%.

Morgan Stanley is more negative. It has an underweight rating and $34.50 price target on NAB shares, which implies potential downside of approximately 8%.

Morgans has a trim rating and $36.10 price target, which points to modest downside from current levels.

But it isn't all doom and gloom. The team at UBS has a buy rating and $48.50 price target on NAB shares. If that proves accurate, the bank's shares could rise by almost 29% from where they trade today.

And then there are dividends.

The consensus estimate is for fully franked dividends of 170 cents per share in both FY 2026 and FY 2027. This is flat on FY 2025.

Based on the current NAB share price of $37.68, that represents a forward dividend yield of approximately 4.5%.

Time will tell which broker makes the right call. But if UBS is on the money with its recommendation, big returns could be on the cards for investors over the next 12 months.

Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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