Wall Street has remained volatile since the beginning of this year, with multiple factors denting investors’ sentiment. An unexpected surge in inflation, uncertainty over the Federal Reserve’s future rate cuts, and fears of a trade war owing to President Donald Trump’s new tariffs on steel and aluminum exports have been rattling stocks.Given this uncertainty, cautious investors looking for a steady income and ways to protect their capital may want to hold or buy dividend-paying stocks. Three such stocks are ...

Core Viewpoint - Middlefield Banc Corp. (MBCN) shows a significantly improving earnings outlook, making it a solid investment choice as analysts continue to raise earnings estimates for the company [1][2]. Estimate Revisions - The upward trend in earnings estimate revisions indicates growing analyst optimism regarding Middlefield Banc's earnings prospects, which is expected to positively impact its stock price [2]. - For the current quarter, the earnings estimate is $0.48 per share, reflecting a decrease of 5.88% from the previous year, but the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased by 11.63% over the last 30 days with two upward revisions [4]. - For the full year, the earnings estimate stands at $1.96 per share, representing a 2.08% increase from the previous year, with a 5.11% boost in the consensus estimate over the past month [5]. Zacks Rank - Middlefield Banc currently holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating strong agreement among analysts in raising earnings estimates, which historically correlates with significant stock outperformance [3][6]. - Stocks with Zacks Rank 1 and 2 have shown to significantly outperform the S&P 500, reinforcing the potential for Middlefield Banc's stock [6]. Stock Performance - Over the past four weeks, Middlefield Banc shares have increased by 6.3%, suggesting investor confidence in the company's earnings growth prospects [7].

MIDDLEFIELD, Ohio, Feb. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Middlefield Banc Corp. (NASDAQ:MBCN) today announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.21 per common share, representing a 5% increase from the 2024 fourth quarter dividend. The 2025 first-quarter dividend is payable on March 14, 2025, to shareholders of record on February 28, 2025. Ronald L. Zimmerly, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "The 5% increase in Middlefield's dividend payment demonstrates our ...

Core Insights - Middlefield Banc Corp. (MBCN) reported revenue of $17.47 million for the quarter ended December 2024, marking a year-over-year increase of 2.9% and exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $17.05 million by 2.46% [1] - The company achieved an EPS of $0.60, up from $0.44 a year ago, resulting in an EPS surprise of 27.66% compared to the consensus estimate of $0.47 [1] Financial Performance Metrics - Net Interest Margin was reported at 3.6%, surpassing the two-analyst average estimate of 3.4% [4] - Average Interest Earning Assets totaled $1.77 billion, slightly below the estimated $1.78 billion [4] - Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding were 0.1%, better than the average estimate of 0.2% [4] - Efficiency ratio stood at 65.1%, significantly better than the average estimate of 70% [4] - Total Noninterest Income was $1.91 million, slightly above the average estimate of $1.90 million [4] - Net Interest Income reached $15.56 million, exceeding the average estimate of $15.15 million [4] Stock Performance - Shares of Middlefield Banc have declined by 15.3% over the past month, contrasting with the Zacks S&P 500 composite's increase of 2.7% [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the broader market in the near term [3]

Group 1 - Middlefield Banc Corp. reported quarterly earnings of $0.60 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.47 per share, and up from $0.44 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of 27.66% [1] - The company posted revenues of $17.47 million for the quarter ended December 2024, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.46%, compared to year-ago revenues of $16.98 million [2] - Over the last four quarters, Middlefield Banc has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times and topped consensus revenue estimates two times [2] Group 2 - The stock has underperformed, losing about 11.7% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has gained 3.5% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the coming quarter is $0.43 on revenues of $17.05 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $1.86 on revenues of $69.65 million [7] - The Zacks Industry Rank for Banks - Northeast is currently in the top 20% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating a favorable outlook for the industry [8]

MIDDLEFIELD, Ohio, Jan. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Middlefield Banc Corp. (NASDAQ:MBCN) today reported financial results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024. 2024 Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights: Earnings increased 36.4% year-over-year to $0.60 per diluted shareReturn on average assets (annualized) increased 26 basis points year-over-year to 1.04%Asset quality remained stable compared to the 2024 third quarter with nonperforming assets to total assets of 1.62% 2024 Full Year Financial Highli ...

MIDDLEFIELD, Ohio, Jan. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Middlefield Banc Corp. (NASDAQ: MBCN) today reported financial results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024. 2024 Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights: Earnings increased 36.4% year-over-year to $0.60 per diluted shareReturn on average assets (annualized) increased 26 basis points year-over-year to 1.04%Asset quality remained stable compared to the 2024 third quarter with nonperforming assets to total assets of 1.62% 2024 Full Year Financial Highl ...

MIDDLEFIELD, Ohio, Nov. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Middlefield Banc Corp. (NASDAQ: MBCN) today announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per common share. The fourth-quarter dividend is payable on December 13, 2024, to shareholders of record on November 29, 2024. About Middlefield Banc Corp. Middlefield Banc Corp., headquartered in Middlefield, Ohio, is the Bank holding Company of The Middlefield Banking Company, with total assets of $1.86 billion at September 30, 2 ...

Table of Contents UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q (Mark One) ☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2024 or ☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from ___________ to ___________ Commission File Number 001-36613 Middlefield Banc Corp. (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter ...

Middlefield Banc Corp. (MBCN) reported $16.82 million in revenue for the quarter ended September 2024, representing a year-over-year decline of 5.4%. EPS of $0.29 for the same period compares to $0.47 a year ago. The reported revenue represents a surprise of -1.66% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $17.1 million. With the consensus EPS estimate being $0.47, the EPS surprise was -38.30%. While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compar ...