Should I buy Standard Bank shares in 2025? Complete Analysis for South African Investors

What is Standard Bank?

How much is the Standard Bank stock?

The price of Standard Bank stock is rising this week. As of today, Standard Bank is trading at ZAR 23,509, showing a 1.47% increase over the last 24 hours and a 4.05% gain over the past week. The bank’s market capitalisation stands at ZAR 385.6 billion, with an average daily volume of 4.6 million shares traded over the past three months. Investors benefit from a P/E ratio of 8.85, a solid dividend yield of 6.50%, and a low stock beta of 0.58, suggesting moderate volatility. With recent momentum and a robust market position in South Africa, Standard Bank offers both stability and growth potential for local investors.

Our full analysis on the Standard Bank stock

Having rigorously reviewed Standard Bank’s latest annual results and decoded the impressive trajectory of its stock over the last three years, we have applied our proprietary blend of quantitative and qualitative models—integrating financial metrics, advanced technical analytics, and thorough peer benchmarking. The findings reveal a compelling equity narrative for Africa’s preeminent lender, one marked by robust growth, global-standard risk management, and strategic innovation. So, why might Standard Bank Group once again represent a strategic entry point into the emerging markets financial sector as 2025 unfolds?

Recent Performance and Market Context

Over the past twelve months, Standard Bank Group (JSE: SBK) has delivered a substantial 26.67% share price appreciation, comfortably outpacing the JSE Banking Index and many regional peers. This one-year surge is underpinned by a fresh breakout in the second quarter of 2025, with the stock currently trading at ZAR 23,509 and maintaining upward momentum (+1.47% intraday, +4.05% in the past week). Such a trajectory follows several pivotal catalysts:

• A strong 2024 full-year result revealing 3.2% revenue growth to ZAR 166.6 billion and headline earnings of ZAR 45 billion.
• Ongoing digital innovation—notably, successful rollouts of next-generation digital channels and infrastructure enhancements.
• Continued pan-African expansion, strengthening Standard Bank’s competitive grip in over 20 markets across the continent.

Macroeconomic tailwinds also support the investment case. South Africa’s economic recovery, improving political and fiscal stability, and rising consumer and business confidence have sharpened the backdrop for banking shares. Critically, Standard Bank’s geographic diversification across emerging African markets positions it to leverage the region’s above-average GDP growth rates and the rapid adoption of mobile and digital financial services.

Technical Analysis

SBK’s technical structure as of May 2025 is decisively bullish:

• Momentum indicators: The 14-day RSI at 58 and Stochastic %K at 66 show healthy, sustainable uptrend potential, without nearing overbought territory.
• MACD levels have turned positive (84), reinforcing a buy signal and suggesting follow-through strength.
• Moving averages: The 20-day (ZAR 22,965), 50-day (ZAR 22,983), 100-day (ZAR 22,478), and the crucial 200-day SMA (ZAR 23,062) all flag bullish alignment, supporting the recent price surge above all key averages.
• Support & Resistance: Strong foundational support sits around ZAR 22,539, shielding recent gains, with significant next resistance at ZAR 25,078 and ZAR 26,987.

Technically, the stock recently made a significant move by crossing above its 200-day moving average—a classic bullish reversal signal. Furthermore, 14 of 15 standard technical indicators are flashing “Strong Buy.” The sustained upward structure and healthy trading range suggest the potential for a new leg higher in the short to medium term.

Fundamental Analysis

Standard Bank’s fundamentals underpin its sustained outperformance:

• Solid revenue expansion: Revenues rose 3.2% in 2024 despite a challenging environment, with guidance for 6–7% annual growth for 2025–2026 indicating renewed operating leverage.
• Strong profitability: Return on equity of 18.5% and profit margin at 27.55% both exceed sector averages, pointing to effective capital allocation and risk management.
• Attractive Valuation: A trailing P/E of 8.85 and price/book of 1.39 are compelling, particularly relative to global banking peers, reflecting both margin of safety and upside scope.
• Consistent earnings growth: EPS registered at ZAR 26.19 and is projected to rise to ZAR 29.00 in 2025 (and ZAR 31.91 in 2026), with headline earnings growth of 4% YoY evidencing durability.

Structurally, Standard Bank benefits from:

• Commanding market share in South Africa alongside a vast African footprint.
• Enduring brand strength with 160+ years of operational history.
• Market-leading innovation in digital transformation initiatives, increasingly important as African banking rapidly digitizes.

Investors are additionally compensated by an appealing dividend yield of 6.5% (annual dividend: ZAR 15.07 ex-dividend April 2025), which provides an attractive income underpin alongside capital appreciation prospects.

Volume and Liquidity

Averaging 4.6 million shares traded daily over the past quarter, SBK offers robust liquidity suitable for both institutional asset managers and private investors.

• Market capitalisation is a commanding ZAR 385.6 billion, highlighting a blue-chip profile.
• Free float stands at a high 86%, ensuring transparency, price discovery, and potential for dynamic rerating as fund flows rotate into strong, liquid South African names.

This volume trend is a clear sign of investor conviction and underpins the stock's capacity for responsive price action, supporting both accumulation strategies and more active trading approaches.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

Several tangible growth drivers and near-term catalysts justify continued optimism:

• Pan-African expansion is unlocking earnings diversification and new addressable markets, with material share gains in West, East, and Southern Africa.
• Digital transformation is yielding both cost and revenue synergies as more client journeys migrate online, driving fee income and client stickiness.
• Potential for further macro tailwinds, notably from anticipated rate normalisation and increased credit demand as economic activity rebounds in South Africa and key African economies.
• Strong ESG credentials—Standard Bank’s leadership in sustainable finance and green lending in Africa enhances its appeal for a growing pool of responsible investors.

On the forward path, analyst consensus for double-digit EPS growth in both 2025 and 2026 supports the view that operational momentum is not yet reflected in the full valuation potential. Market sentiment among the analyst cohort (8 active coverage) remains resolutely optimistic.

Investment Strategies

Standard Bank’s profile warrants strong consideration across a spectrum of investor horizons:

• Short-term positioning: The recent breakout above technical resistance, supported by high volume and bullish signals from the MACD and moving averages, makes SBK an appealing candidate for traders seeking swing or momentum setups. Entry near current support (ZAR 22,539) or during technical pullbacks could present low-risk buying opportunities.
• Medium-term accumulation: For investors targeting the next 6–18 months, Standard Bank’s robust volume, healthy dividend, improving earnings outlook, and pan-African footprint offer a well-balanced mix of growth and income.
• Long-term capital appreciation: Strategic investors with a multi-year horizon can take advantage of the group’s durable dividend policy, world-class risk management, and leadership in banking innovation—setting the stage for compounding value creation.

In all scenarios, the presence of a high free float and strong institutional sponsorship further reduces liquidity risk and supports capital deployment at scale.

Is It the Right Time to Buy Standard Bank?

Bringing together the comprehensive weight of recent financial momentum, technical structure, supportive macro context, and clear operational excellence, Standard Bank seems to represent an excellent opportunity for investors seeking exposure to Africa’s most dynamic banking franchise. The group’s earnings resilience, attractive yield, and visible runway for growth—especially as digital transformation and regional expansion accelerate—suggest that the fundamentals justify renewed interest at current levels. Adding to this, the stock’s current valuation remains materially undemanding given peer comparisons and forward growth prospects.

With the market backdrop in its favour, multiple bullish technical signals, and clear forward catalysts, Standard Bank’s share may well be entering a new and promising bullish phase. For investors looking to deepen their exposure to the African banking sector with a blue-chip leader supported by robust fundamentals and a healthy dividend stream, Standard Bank warrants serious consideration as part of a diversified portfolio.

In a dynamic and evolving African financial landscape, Standard Bank stands out as a rare blend of stability, innovation, and growth potential, offering the kind of risk-reward profile that makes it an attractive proposition at this stage of the cycle.

How to buy Standard Bank stock in ZA?

Buying shares in Standard Bank Group is straightforward and secure for South African investors, thanks to modern online platforms regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). You have two main ways to invest: traditional spot buying, which means holding the actual shares in your name, or trading Standard Bank via Contracts for Difference (CFDs), which lets you speculate on the price without owning shares. Each method suits different goals and risk profiles. Below, you'll find a detailed comparison to help you choose the right FSCA-regulated broker (see the brokerage comparison further down the page).

Spot Buying

Spot buying means you directly purchase Standard Bank (SBK) shares listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), and these shares are registered in your name. This approach lets you benefit from dividends, voting rights, and any appreciation in share price. South African brokers typically charge a fixed commission per order, often between R70 and R150, plus smaller regulatory fees.

Example

Suppose the current Standard Bank share price is around R235. If you invest $1,000 (approximately R18,500 at an exchange rate of 18.5), you could buy about 78 shares, after accounting for a R100 brokerage commission.

✔️ Gain scenario

If Standard Bank’s share price increases by 10%, your holdings would be valued at R20,350 (around $1,100).

Result: That’s a R1,850 gain (or +$100 at the same exchange rate), representing a 10% gross gain on your investment, excluding taxes and other minor fees.

Trading via CFD

CFD (Contract for Difference) trading lets you speculate on Standard Bank's share price movements—up or down—without taking actual ownership of the shares. CFDs allow you to trade with leverage (often 5x), so your market exposure is much greater than your initial capital outlay. Fees here include the ‘spread’ (the difference between buy/sell prices) and, if you hold positions overnight, a small daily financing charge.

Example

With a $1,000 (±R18,500) deposit and 5x leverage, you get exposure to R92,500 worth of Standard Bank shares.

✔️ Gain scenario

If the share price rises by 8%, your leveraged position yields a 40% profit.

Result: That’s a gain of about $400 (R7,400) on your $1,000 outlay—before deducting spread and overnight fees.

Final Advice

Before buying Standard Bank shares, it’s essential to compare brokers’ fees, platforms, support, and regulatory safeguards—as these vary and can impact your returns. Your ideal choice depends on your objectives: spot buying is best for long-term investors seeking dividends and stability, while CFDs suit those comfortable with higher risk and short-term trading. Our up-to-date broker comparison further down the page will help you identify the right partner for your investment journey.

Our 7 tips for buying Standard Bank stock

The latest news about Standard Bank

Standard Bank’s share price rose by 4.05% over the last week, outperforming the JSE Top 40 index. During the latest seven-day period, Standard Bank’s stock delivered a notable weekly gain, closing at ZAR 23,509, which marks a robust 1.47% daily increase and brings the annual return to an impressive 26.67%. This strong performance is underscored by increased trading volume and comes at a time when investor appetite for large-cap South African financial stocks has strengthened in response to improving local economic indicators and renewed capital market inflows.

The stock’s technical indicators currently generate a strong buy signal, with moving averages reinforcing the positive momentum. All short-, medium-, and long-term simple moving averages (20, 50, 100, and 200-day) signal a buy, as the price has crossed above each respective threshold—most recently breaching the 200-day SMA. The MACD momentum indicator is also on a buy, and 14 out of 15 technical signals are positive, further supporting constructive market sentiment and attracting technical traders to the stock in the current environment.

Standard Bank reported 2024 full-year revenue of ZAR 166.6 billion, up 3.2%, with headline earnings of ZAR 45 billion. This translates into an earnings growth of 4% year-on-year, a return on equity of 18.5%, and a profit margin of 27.55%. These results were largely in line with analyst expectations and showcase effective cost management and franchise resilience, with analysts highlighting the Group’s ability to sustain attractive returns despite a challenging operating backdrop.

The Group’s Africa-wide expansion and digital banking initiatives underpin its growth strategy and market leadership. Standard Bank continues to grow organically, extending its presence to more than 20 African markets and reinforcing its leading role within Sub-Saharan Africa. Strategic investments in digital transformation are enhancing operational efficiencies and improving customer onboarding, positioning the Group to capture further regional growth and adapt to evolving financial sector trends in South Africa and beyond.

Positive market sentiment is supported by favorable analyst projections and a stable dividend yield of 6.5%. Eight analysts currently cover the stock, maintaining an optimistic outlook with a target price of ZAR 25,676, pointing to further upside. The dividend yield stands at a solid 6.5%, making the bank’s shares particularly attractive for South African income-focused investors. Combined with its low trailing P/E ratio of 8.85 and strong free float, Standard Bank remains a preferred option for both institutional and retail investors in the current market cycle.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.