On Thursday, Citi maintained a Neutral rating on Cadence BanCorp (NYSE: CADE) but increased the price target to $37.00 from the previous $35.00. The adjustment reflects the analyst's expectation of continued net interest margin (NIM) expansion and effective cost management in the coming quarters.
The analyst highlighted that, despite growth being somewhat below expectations, the bank's fixed-asset repricing and sustained NIM expansion are likely to bolster financial performance. Additionally, the management of core expenses has been noted as being particularly effective, providing further support to core pre-provision net revenue (PPNR) trends.
The credit quality of Cadence BanCorp was reported to be in sound condition, with anticipations of further strengthening of the capital base. This outlook comes even as loan growth was reported to be softer than anticipated. The softness is deemed temporary, attributed to simultaneous payoffs in specific lending segments.
The revised price target of $37 represents a $2 increase and is based on the potential for the bank to reduce deposit costs. Furthermore, there is an expectation for a modest resurgence in core loan growth as the year-end approaches and looking forward into the subsequent year.
The analyst concluded by affirming the bank's solid financial standing and the potential for financial gains in the near term, driven by strategic financial management and market conditions favoring the bank's operations.
In other recent news, Cadence Bank has reported robust Q3 2024 results, underlined by a GAAP net income of $134.1 million, or $0.72 per diluted share.
The bank also reported a 6% quarter-over-quarter increase in adjusted net income from continuing operations, which came in at $135.6 million, or $0.73 per share. Core customer deposits exhibited a year-over-year growth of over 11%, reaching nearly $985 million, despite a minor increase in deposit costs.
The bank maintains a strong capital position, as evidenced by a CET1 ratio of 12.3%, and has repurchased over 323,000 shares. Loan balances remained stable due to payoffs, but the bank noted strong new loan commitments and an improved net interest margin of 3.31%.
Looking ahead, Cadence Bank's management is optimistic about maintaining growth in loan originations and improving net interest margins. They also anticipate revenue growth to surpass expense growth into 2025 and are considering potential mergers and acquisitions. These recent developments indicate a promising outlook for Cadence Bank.
InvestingPro Insights
Cadence BanCorp's recent performance aligns with Citi's positive outlook. According to InvestingPro data, the bank's stock has shown impressive momentum, with a 68.93% total return over the past year and is currently trading near its 52-week high at 98.74% of that level. This strong performance is supported by several favorable metrics and InvestingPro Tips.
One InvestingPro Tip highlights that Cadence has raised its dividend for 11 consecutive years, demonstrating a commitment to shareholder returns that complements the analyst's positive view on the bank's financial management. Additionally, the bank's dividend yield stands at 2.96%, with a dividend growth rate of 6.38% in the last twelve months, further reinforcing its appeal to income-focused investors.
The bank's P/E ratio of 9.61 suggests it may be undervalued relative to its earnings potential, which aligns with the analyst's expectation of continued NIM expansion and effective cost management. This is further supported by another InvestingPro Tip indicating that Cadence is trading at a low P/E ratio relative to its near-term earnings growth.
For investors seeking more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 11 additional tips for Cadence BanCorp, providing deeper insights into the company's financial health and market position.
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