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5 Reasons to Add First Financial (FFIN) to Your Portfolio
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First Financial Bankshares (FFIN - Free Report) seems to be an attractive pick now on the back of its top-line strength and solid balance sheet position. Further, its earnings growth prospects and efforts to enhance shareholder value are encouraging.
Shares of First Financial have gained 8.4% over the past six months outperforming the industry’s rally of 5.2%.
Further, it has been successful in gaining analysts’ confidence in terms of future earnings. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings was revised 1.2% upward, over the past 60 days. As a result, the stock carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Key Driving Forces
Revenue Strength: First Financial has been witnessing consistent improvement in revenues. Over the past five years (ended 2016), total revenues recorded a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.2%. Moreover, its revenues are projected to grow 13.7% in 2017.
Impressive Balance Sheet Growth: The company’s loans and deposits have witnessed a CAGR of 12.8% and 10.8%, respectively, over a five-year period (ended 2016). This keeps First Financial well poised for any opportunistic acquisitions in the future.
Steady Capital Deployment Activities: The company remains committed to enhancing its shareholder value. In March 2017, it raised its quarterly dividend by 5.6% to 19 cents per share. Also, it renewed its stock repurchase program of up to 2 million shares for a three-year period.
Earnings per Share Growth: First Financial has recorded an earnings growth rate of 8.4% over the last three to five years compared with 5.6% of the industry it belongs to.
Further, this earnings momentum is likely to continue in the near term as reflected by the company’s projected earnings per share growth rate of 7.2% and 7.6% in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
Superior Return on Equity: First Financial has a return on equity of 12.41% compared with the industry average of 10.22%. This reflects the company’s superiority in utilizing shareholders’ funds.
Other Stocks to Consider
Old Second Bancorp’s (OSBC - Free Report) Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings was revised 3.5% upward for 2017, in the past 60 days. Also, its share price has increased 45.8% in the past 12 months. The stock carries a Zacks Rank of 2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Lakeland Financial Corporation (LKFN - Free Report) currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. The stock’s current-year earnings estimates were revised 4.4% upward, over the past 60 days. Further, the company’s shares have jumped 27.6% in a year’s time.
FB Financial Corporation’s (FBK - Free Report) Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings was revised 2.7% upward, over the last 60 days. Moreover, in the past year, its shares have gained 73.2%. Also, it carries a Zacks Rank of 2.
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With battery prices plummeting and charging stations set to multiply, one company stands out as the #1 stock to buy according to Zacks research.
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5 Reasons to Add First Financial (FFIN) to Your Portfolio
First Financial Bankshares (FFIN - Free Report) seems to be an attractive pick now on the back of its top-line strength and solid balance sheet position. Further, its earnings growth prospects and efforts to enhance shareholder value are encouraging.
Shares of First Financial have gained 8.4% over the past six months outperforming the industry’s rally of 5.2%.
Further, it has been successful in gaining analysts’ confidence in terms of future earnings. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings was revised 1.2% upward, over the past 60 days. As a result, the stock carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Key Driving Forces
Revenue Strength: First Financial has been witnessing consistent improvement in revenues. Over the past five years (ended 2016), total revenues recorded a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.2%. Moreover, its revenues are projected to grow 13.7% in 2017.
Impressive Balance Sheet Growth: The company’s loans and deposits have witnessed a CAGR of 12.8% and 10.8%, respectively, over a five-year period (ended 2016). This keeps First Financial well poised for any opportunistic acquisitions in the future.
Steady Capital Deployment Activities: The company remains committed to enhancing its shareholder value. In March 2017, it raised its quarterly dividend by 5.6% to 19 cents per share. Also, it renewed its stock repurchase program of up to 2 million shares for a three-year period.
Earnings per Share Growth: First Financial has recorded an earnings growth rate of 8.4% over the last three to five years compared with 5.6% of the industry it belongs to.
Further, this earnings momentum is likely to continue in the near term as reflected by the company’s projected earnings per share growth rate of 7.2% and 7.6% in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
Superior Return on Equity: First Financial has a return on equity of 12.41% compared with the industry average of 10.22%. This reflects the company’s superiority in utilizing shareholders’ funds.
Other Stocks to Consider
Old Second Bancorp’s (OSBC - Free Report) Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings was revised 3.5% upward for 2017, in the past 60 days. Also, its share price has increased 45.8% in the past 12 months. The stock carries a Zacks Rank of 2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Lakeland Financial Corporation (LKFN - Free Report) currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. The stock’s current-year earnings estimates were revised 4.4% upward, over the past 60 days. Further, the company’s shares have jumped 27.6% in a year’s time.
FB Financial Corporation’s (FBK - Free Report) Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings was revised 2.7% upward, over the last 60 days. Moreover, in the past year, its shares have gained 73.2%. Also, it carries a Zacks Rank of 2.
Will You Make a Fortune on the Shift to Electric Cars?
Here's another stock idea to consider. Much like petroleum 150 years ago, lithium power may soon shake the world, creating millionaires and reshaping geo-politics. Soon electric vehicles (EVs) may be cheaper than gas guzzlers. Some are already reaching 265 miles on a single charge.
With battery prices plummeting and charging stations set to multiply, one company stands out as the #1 stock to buy according to Zacks research.
It's not the one you think.
See This Ticker Free >>