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3 Bank Stocks Exhibiting Superb Earnings Growth

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Banks may have kicked off the third-quarter earnings parade, but the fourth quarter bodes well for them. After all, the recent interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve are expected to boost economic activities, spur dealmaking, and enhance financial transactions, like credit card usage. As a result, the fourth-quarter earnings for the Banks & Thrifts industry are projected to be up +18.3% from a year ago on +3% higher revenues (read more: Are Bank Stocks a Buy Ahead of Quarterly Results?).

Zacks Investment Research

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Hence, it is vital to keep tabs on Coastal Financial Corporation (CCB - Free Report) , Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. (ESQ - Free Report) , and Mercantile Bank Corporation (MBWM - Free Report) from the Banks &Thrifts industry, which are showcasing solid earnings growth at the moment.

Earnings Estimates & Share Price Movements

Frequently, we have seen a decline in the stock price despite earnings growth and a rally in price following an earnings decline. This is largely the result of a company’s earnings failing to meet market expectations.

Earnings estimates embody analysts’ opinions on factors such as sales growth, product demand, competitive industry environment, profit margins, and cost control. Thus, earnings estimates serve as a valuable tool, while making investment decisions. Earnings estimates also help analysts assess the cash flow to determine the fair value of a firm.

Thus, investors should watch for stocks set to surge. Investors need to buy stocks with historical earnings growth and witnessing a rise in quarterly and annual earnings estimates.

We use that basis to determine our stock selections using Zack’s Research Wizard Tool.

Screening Measures Using Research Wizard:

To shortlist stocks that have striking earnings growth and positive estimate revisions, we have added the following parameters:

Zacks Rank less than or equal to 3 (Only Zacks’ ‘Strong Buys’, ‘Buys’, and ‘Holds’ are allowed. With the Zacks Rank proving itself to be one of the best rating systems out there, this is a great way to start things off.)

5-Year Historical EPS Growth (%) greater than X-Industry (stocks with a strong EPS growth history).

% Change EPS F(0)/F(-1) greater than or equal to 5 (companies that saw year-over-year earnings growth of 5% or more in the last reported fiscal).

% Change Q1 Estimates over the last 4 weeks greater than zero (stocks that have seen their current quarter earnings estimates revised higher in the last 4 weeks).

% Change F1 Estimates over the last 1 week greater than zero (stocks that have seen their annual earnings estimates revised higher in the last 1 week).

% Change F1 Estimates over the last 4 weeks greater than zero (stocks that have seen their annual earnings estimates revised higher in the last 4 weeks).

The above criteria narrowed the universe of around 7,839 stocks to only 24. Here are the three bank stocks:

Coastal Financial 

Coastal Financial, a bank holding company, offers services such as checking and savings accounts, loans, cards, and Internet banking through its subsidiaries. 

CCB currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CCB’s current-year earnings has increased 0.6% over the past 60 days. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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Esquire Financial 

Esquire Financial, a bank holding company, offers banking services to law professionals, service firms, businesses, and individuals in the United States.

ESQ currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ESQ’s current-year earnings has increased 0.2% over the past 60 days. 

Zacks Investment Research

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Mercantile Bank 

Mercantile Bank offers a wide range of banking products and services to businesses and consumers in Grand Rapids and Kent County, creating a friendly hometown banking experience.

MBWM currently has a Zacks Rank #3. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MBWM’s current-year earnings has increased 0.2% over the past 60 days.

Zacks Investment Research

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You can sign up now for your 2-week free trial to the Research Wizard and start using this screen in your own trading. Further, you can also create your own strategies and test them first before taking the investment plunge.

The Research Wizard is a great place to begin. It's easy to use. Everything is in plain language. And it's very intuitive. Start your Research Wizard trial today. And the next time you read an economic report, open up the Research Wizard, plug your finds in, and see what gems come out.

Click here to sign up for a free trial to the Research Wizard today.

Disclosure: Officers, directors, and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material.

Disclosure: Performance information for Zacks’ portfolios and strategies are available at: https://www.zacks.com/performance.


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