Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of value investing and highlights First Busey (BUSE) as a strong candidate for value investors due to its attractive valuation metrics and earnings outlook [2][4][7] Company Analysis - First Busey (BUSE) has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and an A grade for Value, indicating strong potential for value investors [4][7] - The stock is currently trading at a P/E ratio of 9.37, significantly lower than the industry average of 11.98 [4] - BUSE's Forward P/E has fluctuated between 8.83 and 12.76 over the past 52 weeks, with a median of 10.59 [4] Valuation Metrics - BUSE has a P/B ratio of 1, which is attractive compared to the industry average P/B of 2.16 [5] - The P/B ratio for BUSE has ranged from 0.89 to 1.21 in the past year, with a median of 1.01 [5] - The P/CF ratio for BUSE stands at 9.33, well below the industry average of 15.65, indicating potential undervaluation [6] - Over the past 52 weeks, BUSE's P/CF has varied between 7.13 and 10.66, with a median of 9.20 [6] Investment Outlook - The combination of BUSE's favorable valuation metrics and strong earnings outlook positions it as one of the strongest value stocks in the market [7]

Company Overview - First Busey (BUSE) is headquartered in Champaign and operates in the Finance sector, with a stock price change of 6.28% since the beginning of the year [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.25 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.99%, which is higher than the Banks - Midwest industry's yield of 2.9% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.54% [3] Dividend Performance - The current annualized dividend of $1 represents a 4.2% increase from the previous year, with First Busey having increased its dividend three times over the past five years, averaging an annual increase of 2.11% [4] - The company's current payout ratio is 46%, indicating that it paid out 46% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth Expectations - For the fiscal year, First Busey anticipates solid earnings growth, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 projected at $2.61 per share, reflecting a year-over-year earnings growth rate of 25.48% [5] Investment Appeal - First Busey is considered an attractive dividend play and a compelling investment opportunity, currently holding a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [7]

Company Performance - First Busey (BUSE) has shown a year-to-date performance increase of approximately 6.3%, outperforming the Finance sector's average return of 5.6% [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for First Busey's full-year earnings has risen by 5.3% over the past quarter, indicating improved analyst sentiment and earnings outlook [3] - First Busey is ranked 10 in the Zacks Industry Rank within the Banks - Midwest industry, which has an average gain of 4.4% this year, further highlighting its strong performance [5] Sector and Industry Context - The Finance sector, which includes 870 companies, currently holds the 1 position in the Zacks Sector Rank, reflecting overall strength [2] - Palomar (PLMR), another Finance stock, has significantly outperformed the sector with a year-to-date return of 18.4% [4] - The Insurance - Property and Casualty industry, to which Palomar belongs, is ranked 86 and has seen a 5% increase this year, contrasting with the stronger performance of First Busey in its respective industry [6]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of value investing and highlights specific stocks, First Busey (BUSE) and Eagle Bancorp Montana (EBMT), as strong value opportunities based on their financial metrics [2][9]. Company Analysis: First Busey (BUSE) - BUSE has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and an A for Value, indicating strong potential as a value stock [4]. - The stock's P/E ratio is 9.73, significantly lower than the industry average of 12.22, suggesting it may be undervalued [4]. - BUSE's P/B ratio stands at 0.99, compared to the industry's average of 2.20, further indicating attractive valuation [5]. - The P/S ratio for BUSE is 2.08, which is comparable to the industry's average of 2.09, showing consistent sales performance [6]. - The P/CF ratio is 9.37, much lower than the industry's average of 17.57, highlighting strong cash flow relative to its valuation [7]. Company Analysis: Eagle Bancorp Montana (EBMT) - EBMT also holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and a Value grade of A, marking it as a strong value investment [8]. - The P/B ratio for EBMT is 0.69, significantly lower than the industry average of 2.20, indicating potential undervaluation [8]. Summary of Value Metrics - Both BUSE and EBMT exhibit strong value characteristics, with low P/E, P/B, and P/CF ratios compared to their industry averages, suggesting they are likely undervalued stocks with solid earnings outlooks [9].

All investors love getting big returns from their portfolio, whether it's through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities. But for income investors, generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments is your primary focus.Cash flow can come from bond interest, interest from other types of investments, and of course, dividends. A dividend is the distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders; it's often viewed by its dividend yield, a metric that measures a dividend ...

F I R S T B U S E Y C O R P O R A T I O N A N N O U N C E S 2 0 2 4 F O U R T H Q U A R T E R E A R N I N G S Q 4 | 2 0 2 4 January 28, 2025 First Busey Corporation Announces 2024 Fourth Quarter Earnings CHAMPAIGN, IL – (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – First Busey Corporation (Nasdaq: BUSE) Net Income of $28.1 million Diluted EPS of $0.49 FOURTH QUARTER 2024 HIGHLIGHTS For additional information, please refer to the 4Q24 Earnings Investor Presentation. MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIRMAN & CEO Fourth Quarter Financial Results Net ...

CHAMPAIGN, Ill., Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Busey Corporation (NASDAQ:BUSE)   Net Income of $28.1 millionDiluted EPS of $0.49   FOURTH QUARTER 2024 HIGHLIGHTS Adjusted net income1 of $30.7 million, or $0.53 per diluted common shareAdjusted noninterest income1 of $35.4 million, or 30.3% of total revenueRecord high quarterly and annual revenue of $17.0 million and $65.0 million, respectively, for the Wealth Management segmentTangible book value per common share1 of $17.88 at December 31, 2024, co ...

Wall Street ended last week in positive territory, but it hasn’t been a smooth journey for stocks this year. Markets turned volatile at the beginning of January on concerns that the Federal Reserve could slow its pace of rate cuts with inflation showing signs of climbing.It is unlikely that the Federal Reserve will go for another rate cut anytime soon as it believes the economy is still holding strong.  Donald Trump’s return to power as the 47th U.S. President gave a boost to markets this week but investors ...

Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks.Considering these trends, value investing is clearly one of the most preferred ways to find strong stocks in any type of market. Value investors use a variety of methods, including tried-and-true valuation metrics, to find these stocks.On top of the ...

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. and LEAWOOD, Kan., Jan. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Busey Corporation (“Busey”) (NASDAQ: BUSE), the holding company for Busey Bank, today announced it has received the approval of the Federal Reserve to acquire by merger CrossFirst Bankshares, Inc. (“CrossFirst”), the holding company for CrossFirst Bank. Both companies received shareholder approval for the transaction on Dec. 20, 2024. “We are pleased to have received regulatory approval from the Federal Reserve,” said Van Dukeman, Bu ...