We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Thanks to rising rates, financial stocks have been in focus this earnings season. Many investors are looking for this segment to benefit from the rate situation, as well as the economic climate which looks to help the industry across the board.
However, to kick things off, the sector has witnessed a lackluster reaction to earnings, despite some nice beats. Take PNC Financial (PNC - Free Report) for example. The company beat earnings estimates by about 6% in the most recent quarter and it looks to have a solid year, but investors haven’t really reacted as of yet.
While this is a bit disappointing, it actually gives investors a great opportunity to get in at what could turn out to be undervalued levels. This is especially apparent when investors look to the company’s recent earnings estimate revisions, as analysts appear to be believers in PNC’s story, even if the broader market hasn’t quite caught on yet.
PNC Estimates
Recent earnings estimates for PNC stock have almost universally been to the upside. In just the past week, we have seen three estimates go higher for the current quarter (compared to one lower) and seven estimates move higher for the full year (compared to zero lower).
The impact of these estimate changes can be seen if we look to the consensus estimate trend over the past few weeks. 60 days ago, the consensus estimate for the full year was $7.50/share and the current estimate comes in at $7.83/share, a jump of 4.4% that puts PNC on track for 7.3% EPS growth this year.
But really, the story isn’t over for PNC, as the most recent estimates have been even higher. The most accurate estimate actually puts the consensus estimate at $7.89/share, suggesting that the consensus could continue to creep higher in the weeks ahead, pushing the expected growth closer to 8% for the year.
And with a fantastic history in earnings season, there is plenty of reason to believe that this stock can keep its growth trend alive, and power through this sluggish run. That is why this stock has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and why we are looking for investors to embrace this positive story in the near term.
PNC Financial Services Group Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
The financial space is extremely well-positioned right now thanks to rising rates, hopes for lower regulation, and a solid economic environment. No wonder the sector has the top rank right now, and has been one of the better performers over the past six months.
But to find the best areas of the financial segment, it is probably a good idea to look to the regional banking industry which stands to be one of the prime beneficiaries of these trends. The segment actually has a top 1% ranking at time of writing, so there are plenty of solid choices in this group.
However, PNC definitely stands out among this impressive group, as the company is actually the only strong buy ranked stock in the 16-stock industry, making it an optimal choice for many investors out there. So, if you are looking to get in on a great story in a top-notch sector, definitely give PNC a closer look before others realize the potential for this stock in 2017.
Want to see all of today's Strong Buys?
Today's Bull of the Day is just one of 220 Zacks Rank #1 stocks. Right now the full, up-to-the-minute list is available to you free of charge. There is no better place to start your own stock search. Plus, you can access the full list of Zacks Strong Sells and a lot more of our private research. See the stocks free >>.
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Bigstock
Bull of the Day: PNC Financial (PNC)
Thanks to rising rates, financial stocks have been in focus this earnings season. Many investors are looking for this segment to benefit from the rate situation, as well as the economic climate which looks to help the industry across the board.
However, to kick things off, the sector has witnessed a lackluster reaction to earnings, despite some nice beats. Take PNC Financial (PNC - Free Report) for example. The company beat earnings estimates by about 6% in the most recent quarter and it looks to have a solid year, but investors haven’t really reacted as of yet.
While this is a bit disappointing, it actually gives investors a great opportunity to get in at what could turn out to be undervalued levels. This is especially apparent when investors look to the company’s recent earnings estimate revisions, as analysts appear to be believers in PNC’s story, even if the broader market hasn’t quite caught on yet.
PNC Estimates
Recent earnings estimates for PNC stock have almost universally been to the upside. In just the past week, we have seen three estimates go higher for the current quarter (compared to one lower) and seven estimates move higher for the full year (compared to zero lower).
The impact of these estimate changes can be seen if we look to the consensus estimate trend over the past few weeks. 60 days ago, the consensus estimate for the full year was $7.50/share and the current estimate comes in at $7.83/share, a jump of 4.4% that puts PNC on track for 7.3% EPS growth this year.
But really, the story isn’t over for PNC, as the most recent estimates have been even higher. The most accurate estimate actually puts the consensus estimate at $7.89/share, suggesting that the consensus could continue to creep higher in the weeks ahead, pushing the expected growth closer to 8% for the year.
And with a fantastic history in earnings season, there is plenty of reason to believe that this stock can keep its growth trend alive, and power through this sluggish run. That is why this stock has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and why we are looking for investors to embrace this positive story in the near term.
PNC Financial Services Group Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
PNC Financial Services Group Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | PNC Financial Services Group Inc. Quote
Bottom Line
The financial space is extremely well-positioned right now thanks to rising rates, hopes for lower regulation, and a solid economic environment. No wonder the sector has the top rank right now, and has been one of the better performers over the past six months.
But to find the best areas of the financial segment, it is probably a good idea to look to the regional banking industry which stands to be one of the prime beneficiaries of these trends. The segment actually has a top 1% ranking at time of writing, so there are plenty of solid choices in this group.
However, PNC definitely stands out among this impressive group, as the company is actually the only strong buy ranked stock in the 16-stock industry, making it an optimal choice for many investors out there. So, if you are looking to get in on a great story in a top-notch sector, definitely give PNC a closer look before others realize the potential for this stock in 2017.
Want to see all of today's Strong Buys?
Today's Bull of the Day is just one of 220 Zacks Rank #1 stocks. Right now the full, up-to-the-minute list is available to you free of charge. There is no better place to start your own stock search. Plus, you can access the full list of Zacks Strong Sells and a lot more of our private research. See the stocks free >>.