For those looking to find strong Finance stocks, it is prudent to search for companies in the group that are outperforming their peers. Has ACNB (ACNB) been one of those stocks this year? Let's take a closer look at the stock's year-to-date performance to find out.ACNB is one of 859 individual stocks in the Finance sector. Collectively, these companies sit at #7 in the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different groups, measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the ...

Core Viewpoint - ACNB has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating a positive outlook on its earnings estimates, which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Performance - The Zacks rating system reflects changes in earnings estimates, which are strongly correlated with stock price movements [4][6]. - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, ACNB is expected to earn $4.28 per share, representing a 14.8% increase from the previous year [8]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for ACNB has increased by 33.1%, indicating a positive trend in earnings expectations [8]. Zacks Rating System - The Zacks Rank stock-rating system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with Zacks Rank 1 stocks historically generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - Only the top 5% of Zacks-covered stocks receive a 'Strong Buy' rating, positioning ACNB among the best in terms of earnings estimate revisions [9][10].

Company Overview - ACNB is headquartered in Gettysburg and operates in the Finance sector, with a stock price change of 3.09% since the start of the year [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.32 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.12%, which is significantly higher than the Banks - Southwest industry's yield of 1.16% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.59% [3] Dividend Performance - The current annualized dividend of ACNB is $1.28, reflecting a 1.6% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past five years, ACNB has increased its dividend four times on a year-over-year basis, achieving an average annual increase of 6% [4] - The company's current payout ratio is 34%, indicating that it pays out 34% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth Expectations - For the fiscal year 2025, ACNB anticipates solid earnings growth, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate projecting earnings of $4.28 per share, representing a year-over-year growth rate of 14.75% [5] Investment Appeal - ACNB is considered an attractive dividend play and a compelling investment opportunity, currently holding a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [7]

Core Insights - Three stocks are highlighted with strong momentum characteristics and a buy rank for investors to consider as of March 31st Group 1: Company Performance - Aptiv PLC (APTV) has a Zacks Rank 1 with a 6.1% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - REX American Resources Corporation (REX) also holds a Zacks Rank 1, showing a 15.7% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - ACNB Corporation (ACNB) maintains a Zacks Rank 1, with an 11.8% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days [3] Group 2: Stock Performance Comparison - Aptiv's shares increased by 0.2% over the last three months, while the S&P 500 declined by 5.2% [1] - REX's shares gained 2.8% over the last month, compared to a 4.9% decline in the S&P 500 [2] - ACNB's shares rose by 3.1% over the last three months, against the S&P 500's decline of 5.2% [3] Group 3: Momentum Scores - Aptiv has a Momentum Score of B [1] - REX also possesses a Momentum Score of B [2] - ACNB has a higher Momentum Score of A [3]

Group 1 - ACNB is a notable stock in the Finance sector, currently outperforming its peers with a year-to-date return of 3.1% compared to the sector average of 1.8% [4] - The Zacks Rank system indicates that ACNB has a strong buy rating (1), with a 33.1% increase in the consensus earnings estimate for the full year over the past 90 days, reflecting improved analyst sentiment [3] - ACNB belongs to the Banks - Southwest industry, which has seen a decline of about 4.9% year-to-date, further highlighting ACNB's strong performance relative to its industry [5] Group 2 - Enact Holdings, Inc. is another Finance stock that has outperformed the sector, with a year-to-date increase of 6.2% and a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [4][5] - The Insurance - Multi line industry, to which Enact belongs, has performed positively with a 5% increase year-to-date, despite its lower Zacks Industry Rank of 54 [6]

Group 1 - Kingstone Companies, Inc. (KINS) has seen a 22.6% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - REX American Resources Corporation (REX) has experienced a 15.7% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - CION Investment Corporation (CION) has seen an 8.2% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - ACNB Corporation (ACNB) has experienced an 11.8% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - Forum Energy Technologies, Inc. (FET) has seen a 17.7% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [3]

Group 1 - CION Investment Corporation (CION) has seen a Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increase by 8.2% over the last 60 days and offers a dividend yield of 13.8%, surpassing the industry average of 9.9% [1] - ACNB Corporation (ACNB) has experienced an 11.8% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days, with a dividend yield of 3.1%, compared to the industry average of 1.2% [2] - Bank of Hawaii Corporation (BOH) has had an 8.6% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days, with a dividend yield of 4.1%, exceeding the industry average of 3% [2][3]

Company Overview - ACNB Corporation (ACNB) is positioned as an intriguing investment choice within the Banks - Southwest sector due to solid earnings estimate revision activity [1] - The company has seen a positive shift in earnings estimates, indicating a more bullish outlook from analysts [3] Industry Context - The Banks - Southwest industry currently holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 24 out of over 250 industries, suggesting a strong position relative to other segments [2] - A rising trend in this industry can positively impact multiple securities, indicating a favorable environment for ACNB [2] Earnings Estimates - Over the past month, the current quarter earnings estimates for ACNB have increased from 83 cents per share to 92 cents per share [4] - Current year earnings estimates have also risen from $3.83 per share to $4.28 per share, reflecting improved expectations for the company's performance [4] Investment Signal - ACNB carries a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), which is considered a favorable signal for potential investors [4] - The combination of a strong industry ranking and positive estimate revisions makes ACNB an interesting choice for investors seeking opportunities in this sector [5]

Regulatory Changes - Dodd-Frank permanently increased the maximum deposit insurance amount to $250 thousand per depositor [60]. - The FDIC is required to increase the reserve ratio of the Deposit Insurance Fund from 1.15% to 1.35% of insured deposits by 2020 [60]. - Dodd-Frank mandates a minimum common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 4.5% for financial institutions [77]. - The minimum Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets ratio is set at 6.0% [77]. - The minimum total capital ratio to total risk-weighted assets is established at 8.0% [77]. - The minimum leverage ratio of Tier 1 capital to average total consolidated assets is required to be 4.0% [77]. - Dodd-Frank prohibits excessive compensation for executives of depository institutions with assets over $1.0 billion [61]. - The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has authority over depository institutions with $10 billion or more in assets [66]. - The CFPB requires mortgage lenders to determine a consumer's ability to repay based on verified information [67]. - Dodd-Frank allows states to adopt more stringent consumer protection laws than federal standards [66]. Financial Performance - ACNB Corporation's net interest income for 2024 was $83.6 million, a decrease of $4.8 million, or 5.4%, compared to $88.3 million in 2023 [196]. - The FTE net interest margin for 2024 was 3.79%, down 28 basis points from 4.07% in 2023 [196]. - Total earning assets increased to $2.22 billion in 2024, with interest income rising by $10.8 million, or 11.1%, compared to 2023 [197]. - Average loans increased by $94.9 million, or 6.0%, with FTE interest income on loans rising by $10.9 million, or 13.4% [197]. - ACNB Corporation's total assets reached $2.44 billion as of December 31, 2024 [196]. - Noninterest income totaled $24.7 million in 2024, a $6.3 million, or 34.1% increase compared to 2023, driven by growth in insurance commissions and wealth management [201]. - Total noninterest expenses rose to $70.7 million in 2024, a $4.6 million, or 7.0% increase from 2023 [203]. - The provision for income taxes was $8.6 million in 2024, reflecting an effective tax rate (ETR) of 21.2% compared to 20.5% in 2023 [204]. Asset and Liability Management - The corporation's total interest-bearing liabilities amounted to $1.64 billion in 2024, with total interest expense increasing significantly [196]. - Total interest expense increased by $15.5 million, or 186.7%, in 2024 compared to 2023, primarily due to higher cost of funds and long-term borrowings [198]. - Average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits rose to 0.83%, an increase of 58 basis points in 2024, with time deposits and money markets increasing by 196 and 62 basis points, respectively [198]. - Total average borrowings increased by $162.5 million, or 127.2%, during 2024, primarily funding loan growth and deposit outflows [198]. - Long-term borrowings increased by $60.0 million, or 30.7%, to $255.3 million as of December 31, 2024, primarily to fund loan growth [239]. Loan Portfolio and Credit Quality - Total loans, net of unearned income, increased by $54.9 million, or 3.4%, in 2024, driven mainly by growth in commercial real estate and residential mortgage portfolios [213]. - The commercial real estate portfolio grew by $70.8 million, or 7.9%, with 56.0% of collateral in Pennsylvania and 42.1% in Maryland as of December 31, 2024 [214]. - Residential real estate mortgages totaled $402.0 million, an increase of $7.8 million, or 2.0%, in 2024, including $45.5 million in junior liens [216]. - Commercial and industrial loans decreased by $11.4 million, or 7.5%, totaling $140.9 million in 2024 [217]. - Total nonperforming assets increased to $7.25 million in 2024 from $4.64 million in 2023, with nonperforming loans to total loans ratio at 0.40% [224]. - The allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans ratio decreased to 253.67 in 2024 from 478.53 in 2023 [224]. - Total internally risk-rated loans were $1.36 billion as of December 31, 2024, with a related allowance for credit losses of $15.1 million [226]. - The allowance for credit losses (ACL) was $17.28 million as of December 31, 2024, down from $19.97 million in 2023, reflecting a reversal of $2.4 million in provisions for credit losses [232]. Capital and Equity - Total stockholders' equity rose to $303.3 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $277.5 million in 2023, primarily due to earnings retention [240]. - ACNB retained $21.1 million, or 66.4%, of its net income in 2024, slightly down from $22.0 million, or 69.4%, in 2023 [240]. - Quarterly cash dividends paid in 2024 totaled $10.7 million, or $1.26 per common share, representing a 10.5% increase from $9.7 million, or $1.14 per share in 2023 [240]. Deposits and Funding - Total deposits decreased by $69.3 million, or 3.7%, to $1.79 billion as of December 31, 2024, with total demand and savings deposits down by $110.2 million, or 6.8% [236]. - Time deposits increased by $40.9 million, or 17.6%, to $273.0 million, partially offsetting the decline in total deposits [235]. - The loan-to-deposit ratio was 93.89% at December 31, 2024, indicating a strong reliance on deposits for lending activities [236]. - Municipal deposits decreased to $111.0 million, or 6.2% of total deposits, from $176.6 million, or 9.5%, in 2023, due to public entities reinvesting excess funds elsewhere [237]. Capital Adequacy - The banking subsidiary's Tier 1 leverage ratio increased to 12.03% in 2024 from 11.12% in 2023, exceeding the minimum requirement of 5.00% [244]. - Common Tier 1 capital ratio rose to 16.03% in 2024, up from 14.86% in 2023, surpassing the minimum requirement of 6.50% [244]. - Total risk-based capital ratio improved to 17.02% in 2024 compared to 15.99% in 2023, well above the minimum requirement of 10.00% [244]. - The banking subsidiary is categorized as "well capitalized" for regulatory purposes as of December 31, 2024 [244]. Liquidity and Funding Sources - As of December 31, 2024, the banking subsidiary had borrowing capacity of $926.5 million from the FHLB, with $690.4 million available [247]. - The banking subsidiary maintained a Fed Funds line capacity of $192.0 million, with the full amount available as of December 31, 2024 [248]. - Unfunded outstanding commitments to extend credit amounted to $372.8 million as of December 31, 2024 [253]. - Securities sold under repurchase agreements totaled $15.8 million at December 31, 2024, down from $26.9 million in 2023 [250]. - The parent company has a $5.0 million unsecured line of credit available as of December 31, 2024 [249]. - ACNB believes it has sufficient funding sources to maintain liquidity under varying business conditions [252].

Group 1 - ACNB is currently outperforming the Finance sector with a year-to-date gain of 5.1%, compared to the sector's average return of 2.4% [4] - The Zacks Rank system indicates that ACNB has a rank of 2 (Buy), reflecting a positive earnings outlook with a 14.2% increase in the consensus estimate for full-year earnings over the past three months [3] - ACNB belongs to the Banks - Southwest industry, which is ranked 18 in the Zacks Industry Rank, while this industry has seen a decline of about 1.8% year-to-date [5] Group 2 - The Finance group, which includes ACNB, is currently ranked 1 within the Zacks Sector Rank, indicating strong performance relative to other sectors [2] - Green Brick Partners, another Finance stock, has also shown solid performance with a year-to-date return of 4.9% and a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [4][5] - The Real Estate - Development industry, to which Green Brick Partners belongs, is ranked 200 and has experienced a decline of 2.7% year-to-date [6]