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Bank of the Ozarks (OZRK) Beats Q4 Earnings, Stock Down

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Bank of the Ozarks, Inc.’s fourth-quarter 2016 earnings of 72 cents per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 69 cents. Further, the figure improved nearly 26.3% on a year-over-year basis.

Better-than-expected results were driven by an increase in both net interest income and non-interest income during the quarter. Further, growth in total loans and deposits acted as tailwinds. However, concerns over rising provision for loan and lease losses and higher non-interest expenses probably led to a 2.5% decline in the shares of the company following the announcement.

Net income for the quarter came in at $87.8 million, up 70.5% year over year.

The company reported full-year earnings per share of $2.58, up 23.4% from the prior-year. Also, the figure surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.52. Further, net income for 2016 was $270 million, up 48.1% year over year.
 

Revenues & Expenses Increase

Net revenue for the quarter rose 64.4% year over year to $225.4 million. Moreover, the figure surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $216.6 million.

For 2016, net revenue was $703.9 million, up 44.5% year over year. Moreover, the figure surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $698.0 million.

Net interest income for the quarter grew 82.9% year over year to $194.8 million. Also, net interest margin, on a fully taxable equivalent basis, increased 4 basis points (bps) to 5.02%.

Non-interest income totaled $30.6 million, up marginally year over year. The rise was driven by an increase in all the components except net gains on investment securities and gain on sale of other assets.

Non-interest expense summed to $78.4 million, reflecting a rise of 51.7% year over year. The increase was triggered by a rise in all the expense components.

Bank of the Ozarks’ efficiency ratio came in at 34.27%, compared with 37.12% in the prior-year quarter. A fall in efficiency ratio indicates higher profitability.

Strong Balance Sheet

As of Dec 31, 2016, the company had total assets of $18.9 billion, while shareholders equity summed up to $2.8 billion. Further, as of the same date, total loans and leases (including purchased loans) jumped 74.7% year over year to $14.6 billion, while total deposits surged 95.4% to $15.6 billion.

Credit Quality: A Mixed Bag

Annualized net charge-off ratio for all loans and leases declined 8 bps to 0.09%.

The ratio of non-performing loans and leases, as a percentage of total loans and leases, fell 5 bps to 0.15% as of Dec 31, 2016.

Conversely, provision for loan and lease losses jumped 89.1% year over year to $9.9 million.

Profitability Ratios Deteriorate

As of Dec 31, 2016, return on average assets was 1.92%, down 20 bps year over year. Additionally, return on average common equity decreased from 15.02% to 12.62%.

Our Viewpoint

Bank of the Ozarks’ consistent revenue growth, expansion plans, superior asset quality and improvement in loan and deposit balances assure a steady growth in the future. Moreover, its capital deployment activity remains impressive.

However, the company’s increasing exposure to real estate loans and elevated expense levels remain matters of concern.
 

Bank of the Ozarks Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
 

Bank of the Ozarks Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Bank of the Ozarks Quote

Bank of the Ozarks currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Performance of Other Banks

Among other Southeast banking stocks, First Horizon National Corporation (FHN - Free Report) posted earnings per share of 23 cents for fourth-quarter 2016, lagging the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 25 cents. Lower-than-expected results were primarily because of a fall in non-interest income. The company also experienced poor capital ratios.

Regions Financial Corporation (RF - Free Report) is slated to report results on Jan 20, while BancorpSouth, Inc. is scheduled to report earnings on Jan 25.

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