The ANZ CEO just made a big move.
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If an investor is thinking about buying an ASX big four bank stock right now, chances are they might be tempted by ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) shares.
As it currently stands, ANZ shares are standing out from the rest of the big four. For one, this ASX 200 bank stock is trading on the cheapest earnings multiple.
ANZ shares currently trade on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 14.35. That’s significantly cheaper than Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) and National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB), which have P/E ratios of 17.6 and 17.7, respectively. And it’s roughly half of the lofty 28.2 earnings multiple that Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) is currently asking.
But ANZ shares also look compelling when it comes to income. This bank is today (at the time of writing at least) trading with a dividend yield of 5.38%. That runs rings around Westpac and NAB, which offer 4.47% and 4.23%, respectively.
CBA again stands out with its very unbank-like 2.9% yield right now.
However, investors who are thinking about picking up some ANZ shares today might want to take note of what the CEO is doing.
CEO offloads $218,000 worth of shares
A recent ASX filing shows that ANZ CEO Shayne Elliot hasn’t been buying ANZ shares of late. In fact, he has recently offloaded a significant chunk of the bank.
According to the 22 January filing, Elilot has recently made a big sale of ANZ. The filing reveals that this sale occurred on 20 January, resulting in the disposal of 7,397 ANZ shares.
These shares were held indirectly in Elliot’s name, through CPU Share Plans Pty Ltd and Citicorp.
The shares were sold at an average price of $29.50, implying a total sale value of $218,211.50.
Elliot shocked investors back in December with the announcement of his resignation, which will take effect in July of this year. As such, the timing of this sale is certainly interesting.
ASX investors typically hate to see CEOs and senior management figures sell down shares of the companies they are (highly) paid to run. However, CEOs have bills to pay, just like the rest of us. As such, it’s not uncommon to see transactions of this nature on the Australian stock market.
ANZ shareholders should take note that Mr Elliot still retains, through indirect means, 403,274 shares, as well as an additional 405,878 options to acquire additional shares.
Those 403,274 shares Elliot still owns would have a value of approximately $12.38 million at today’s pricing.
ANZ share price snapshot
ANZ has delivered some solid returns for investors in recent months. Since this time last year, the ANZ share price has added 14.5%, including more than 7% over 2025 to date.
At the current ANZ share price, this ASX 200 bank has a market capitalisation of $91.5 billion.
Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in National Australia Bank. 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 Scott Phillips.
