Financial Performance - Net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2025, were $357,272,000, representing a 4.1% increase from $343,056,000 in the same period of 2024[180]. - Adjusted net revenues increased by 14.8% to $383,310,000 compared to $333,905,000 in the prior year[180]. - Net income attributable to Piper Sandler Companies rose by 52.8% to $64,915,000 from $42,493,000 year-over-year[180]. - Investment banking revenues increased 21.0% to $278.9 million, compared to $230.5 million in the prior-year period, with advisory services revenues up 37.9% to $216.8 million[194]. - Institutional brokerage revenues rose 8.5% to $99.3 million, with equity brokerage revenues increasing 9.6% to $54.3 million due to higher client activity[196]. - Interest income increased to $10.0 million, up 19.9% from $8.3 million in the prior-year period, primarily due to interest earned on installment fee receivables[197]. - Net income attributable to Piper Sandler Companies was $64.9 million, a 52.8% increase from $42.5 million in the prior-year period[189]. - The adjusted net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2025, were $383.3 million, compared to $333.9 million in the first quarter of 2024[190]. - Earnings per diluted common share on a U.S. GAAP basis increased to $3.65 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, from $2.43 in the same period of 2024[224]. Tax and Expenses - The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2025 was (24.9)%, compared to 5.4% in the same quarter of 2024[180]. - Non-interest expenses were $327.8 million, a 12.8% increase from $290.6 million in the prior-year period, with compensation and benefits expenses rising 11.7% to $248.5 million[201]. - Compensation and benefits expenses as a percentage of net revenues was 69.5% in Q1 2025, compared to 64.8% in Q1 2024, reflecting the impact of investment losses[202]. - Marketing and business development expenses increased by 25.2% to $13.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $10.8 million in the same period of 2024[207]. - Deal-related expenses decreased to $5.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, down from $6.4 million in the corresponding period of 2024[208]. - Trade execution and clearance expenses rose to $5.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $4.9 million in the same period of 2024[209]. - Other operating expenses surged to $5.5 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared to $2.1 million in the same period of 2024[212]. - Pre-tax margin decreased to 8.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2025, down from 15.3% in the same period of 2024[213]. Market Activity and Outlook - The corporate financing activity declined significantly, with the healthcare economic fee pool decreasing over 60% year-over-year[185]. - Advisory services revenues are expected to decline in the second quarter of 2025 due to anticipated delays in new transaction announcements[184]. - The equity brokerage business benefited from increased volatility, with strong performance expected to continue as long as volatility persists[186]. - Municipal financing activity was robust in the first quarter of 2025, but has started slowly in the second quarter due to significant rate volatility[188]. - The company anticipates a strong rebound in M&A activity when market conditions stabilize, particularly with financial sponsors[184]. Shareholder Actions - The company declared a special cash dividend of $1.00 per share related to 2023, and regular dividends of $0.60, $0.65, and $3.00 per share for 2024 and 2025[232]. - The board authorized a stock repurchase program of up to $150.0 million through December 31, 2026, with no shares repurchased in the first quarter of 2025[234]. - In Q1 2025, the company purchased 266,060 shares at an average price of $303.05 per share, totaling $80.6 million[235]. - The company purchased a total of 266,060 shares of its common stock during the quarter ended March 31, 2025, at an average price of $303.05 per share, with a remaining repurchase authorization of $150 million[304]. Assets and Capital - Total assets as of March 31, 2025, were $1,820.5 million, down from $2,255.9 million as of December 31, 2024[236]. - The adjusted leverage ratio decreased to 1.4 as of March 31, 2025, from 1.9 as of December 31, 2024, primarily due to a decline in cash and cash equivalents[238]. - As of March 31, 2025, the company's net capital was $225.6 million, exceeding the minimum requirement by $224.6 million[250]. - The company maintained compliance with all covenants related to its unsecured and secured revolving credit facilities as of March 31, 2025[245]. - Piper Sandler Hong Kong Limited was in compliance with the liquid capital requirements of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission as of March 31, 2025[254]. Risk Management - The company faces liquidity risk due to potentially illiquid inventory positions and the inability to timely access necessary funding sources[277]. - The company has a formal risk management process to identify, assess, and monitor strategic, market, liquidity, credit, operational, human capital, and legal risks[263]. - The audit committee oversees management's processes for identifying and evaluating major risks, including market and credit risks[264]. - The company monitors and manages market risk exposure through evaluation of spread DV01 and MMD basis risk for municipal securities[274]. - Credit spread risk is managed through hedging strategies, although these may not be effective in all market environments[282]. - As of March 31, 2025, the company has a concentrated counterparty credit exposure of $5.2 million, primarily related to interest rate swaps, with one counterparty representing 85.7% of this exposure[286]. - The company has developed policies to mitigate operational risk, including segregation of duties and independent risk management activities across various functions[289]. - Inflation affects the company's expenses, such as employee compensation and occupancy costs, which may not be recoverable in service pricing[294]. - Legal and regulatory risks are significant, with extensive regulations applicable to the company's business activities[292]. - The company emphasizes the importance of human capital, with risks associated with attracting and retaining qualified employees[291]. - Cybersecurity measures are in place to protect confidential information, with ongoing evaluations of risk management procedures[288]. - The company has established business continuity plans to cover critical processes across the organization[289]. Derivative Contracts and Investments - The total notional contract value of off-balance sheet arrangements as of March 31, 2025, is approximately $393.86 million, with $268.02 million in customer matched-book derivative contracts and $210.78 million in trading securities derivative contracts[257]. - The net fair value of derivative contracts was approximately $4.4 million as of March 31, 2025, compared to $3.3 million as of December 31, 2024[258]. - The company has committed capital of $35.6 million to certain investment entities, which generally have no specified call dates[261]. - As of March 31, 2025, the credit quality of long corporate fixed income securities shows 1.3% rated A and 1.5% rated BBB, while taxable and tax-exempt municipal securities show 12.1% rated AAA and 51.1% rated AA[281]. - A parallel 50 basis point adverse change in the market is estimated to result in a decrease of approximately $0.2 million in the carrying value of fixed income securities inventory as of March 31, 2025[272].

分组1 - Piper Sandler Companies reported quarterly earnings of $4.09 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.42 per share, and up from $2.79 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of 69.01% [1] - The company posted revenues of $383.31 million for the quarter ended March 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7.79%, compared to year-ago revenues of $343.06 million [2] - Over the last four quarters, Piper Sandler has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times and topped consensus revenue estimates three times [2] 分组2 - The stock has underperformed, losing about 19.1% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has declined by 4.7% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the coming quarter is $3.11 on revenues of $401.4 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $14.14 on revenues of $1.72 billion [7] - The Zacks Industry Rank for Financial - Investment Bank is currently in the bottom 24% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating potential challenges for the sector [8]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported adjusted net revenues of $383 million for Q1 2025, reflecting a 15% increase compared to Q1 2024, but a 23% decline from the previous quarter [21][22] - The operating margin was 17.9%, with adjusted EPS of $4.9, both showing improvements year over year [6][22] - Operating income grew by 23% year over year, outpacing revenue growth [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Corporate Investment Banking revenues totaled $253 million, a 20% increase year over year, driven by advisory services which saw revenues of $217 million, a 38% increase [6][7] - Corporate financing revenues decreased by 32% year over year to $36 million due to a challenging equity underwriting environment [11][22] - Equity brokerage revenues increased by 10% year over year to $54 million, with trading volumes reaching 2.9 billion shares [18][22] - Fixed income revenues rose by 7% year over year to $45 million, driven by solid activity across most client verticals [19][22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The municipal financing revenues increased by 27% year over year to $26 million, outpacing market issuance growth [15][22] - The health care fee pool for corporate financing decreased over 60%, indicating significant market challenges [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on increasing client engagement and leveraging its comprehensive suite of products to navigate market volatility [5][8] - There is a strategic emphasis on expanding industry and product capabilities to provide solutions across more sectors [8][13] - The company aims to maintain its position as a top three investment bank in middle market deal activity, which is expected to demonstrate greater resilience [13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted heightened volatility in equity and debt markets, leading to uncertainty in M&A deal cycles and delayed announcements [5][9] - The outlook for M&A is challenging, but certain sectors remain active, particularly service-based business models [9][10] - Management expressed optimism about a potential rebound in M&A activity when market conditions stabilize [10] Other Important Information - The company hired additional managing directors to expand into the infrastructure sector and enhance its health care investment banking team [12][22] - The Board approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.65 per share, reflecting a commitment to shareholder returns [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: M&A conditions and market stability - Management indicated that M&A activity is sector-dependent, with some processes stalled due to market uncertainty, particularly in consumer sectors [31][32] Question: Outlook for depositories - Management expressed a more positive outlook for depositories, with recent transactions indicating potential for activity in 2025 [35][39] Question: Advisory revenue outlook - Management noted that while advisory revenues may decline in the near term, there are offsets from different industry groups, and many companies are prepared to launch transactions [62][64] Question: IPO pipeline and health care business - Management highlighted a good backlog in the IPO market, particularly in med tech, but noted that small-cap biotech stocks need to recover before significant activity can resume [78][80] Question: Fixed income trading activity - Management observed that volatility is creating uncertainty, leading to cautious behavior among clients, although some activity is seen in balance sheet restructurings [81]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported adjusted net revenues of $383 million for Q1 2025, reflecting a 15% increase compared to Q1 2024, but a 23% decline from the previous quarter [21][22] - The operating margin was 17.9%, with adjusted EPS of $4.9, both showing improvements year over year [6][21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Corporate Investment Banking revenues totaled $253 million, a 20% increase year over year, driven by advisory services which saw revenues of $217 million, up 38% [6][7] - Corporate financing revenues decreased by 32% year over year to $36 million due to a challenging equity underwriting environment [11][22] - Public finance generated $26 million in revenues, a 27% increase year over year, outpacing market issuance growth [15] - Equity brokerage revenues increased by 10% year over year to $54 million, while fixed income revenues rose by 7% to $45 million [18][19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The equity markets experienced heightened volatility, impacting investor sentiment and leading to a more cautious approach in equity capital raising [10][11] - The municipal financing market showed robust activity, although recent rate volatility has posed challenges for pricing transactions [15][16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to leverage its diversified product offerings and sector expertise to navigate market volatility and enhance client engagement [5][8] - There is a focus on expanding capabilities in infrastructure and healthcare sectors, with recent hires to strengthen these areas [12][13] - The company is positioned to capitalize on opportunities in the middle market, which typically shows greater resilience [13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that while the near-term outlook remains uncertain, there is potential for a rebound in M&A activity once market conditions stabilize [9][10] - The company anticipates a decline in advisory revenues in Q2 but remains optimistic about the long-term outlook, particularly for financial sponsors [9][62] - Management emphasized the importance of CEO confidence in driving M&A activity, with a focus on sector-specific dynamics influencing transaction volumes [68] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately 266,000 shares for $81 million, maintaining a flat share count since 2021 [25][26] - A quarterly cash dividend of $0.65 per share was approved, to be paid on June 13 [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: M&A conditions and market stability - Management indicated that M&A activity is sector-dependent, with some processes stalled due to market uncertainty, particularly in consumer sectors [32][33] Question: Outlook for depositories - Management expressed a more positive outlook for depositories, with recent transactions indicating potential for increased activity [36] Question: Advisory revenue outlook - Management noted that while advisory revenues may decline in the near term, there are many transactions in the pipeline that could positively impact future quarters [62] Question: IPO pipeline and health care business - Management highlighted a backlog in the IPO market, particularly in med tech, but noted that small-cap biotech may take longer to recover [78] Question: Fixed income trading activity - Management observed that volatility is creating uncertainty, leading to cautious behavior among clients, although some activity is seen in balance sheet restructurings [79]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Piper Sandler reported adjusted net revenues of $383 million for Q1 2025, reflecting a 15% increase compared to Q1 2024, but a 23% decline from the previous quarter [21] - The operating margin was 17.9%, with adjusted EPS at $4.9, both showing improvements year over year [6][21] - Operating income grew by 23% year over year, indicating enhanced operational efficiency [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Corporate Investment Banking revenues reached $253 million, a 20% increase year over year, driven by advisory services which generated $217 million, up 38% [6][7] - Corporate financing revenues decreased by 32% year over year to $36 million, attributed to a weakened equity underwriting market [12] - Public finance revenues increased by 27% year over year to $26 million, outpacing market issuance growth [16] - Equity brokerage revenues rose by 10% year over year to $54 million, while fixed income revenues increased by 7% to $45 million [18][19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The equity markets experienced heightened volatility, impacting investor sentiment and leading to a more cautious approach [5][12] - The health care fee pool for corporate financing decreased over 60%, reflecting significant market challenges [12] - The municipal financing market showed robust activity, although recent rate volatility has led to transaction postponements [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to leverage its diversified product offerings and sector expertise to navigate market uncertainties and enhance client engagement [5][8] - Piper Sandler is focused on expanding its capabilities in the infrastructure sector and enhancing its advisory services to capitalize on market opportunities [13][14] - The firm continues to rank as a top three investment bank in middle market deal activity, positioning itself for future growth [14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that while the near-term outlook remains uncertain, there is potential for a rebound in M&A activity once market conditions stabilize [10][11] - The company anticipates a decline in advisory revenues in Q2 due to market volatility but expects certain sectors to remain active [10][60] - Management emphasized the importance of CEO confidence in driving M&A transactions, indicating that strategic clients are still interested in transacting [66] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately 266,000 shares for $81 million, maintaining a flat share count since 2021 [24] - A quarterly cash dividend of $0.65 per share was approved, to be paid on June 13 [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: M&A conditions and market stability - Management indicated that M&A activity is sector-dependent, with some processes stalled due to market uncertainty, particularly in consumer sectors [29][30] Question: Outlook for depositories - There is a more positive outlook for depositories, with recent transactions indicating potential for increased activity [34] Question: Advisory business countercyclicality - Management noted that debt capital markets and restructuring segments are growing faster than M&A, providing stability [44][46] Question: IPO pipeline and health care business - The IPO market is showing signs of improvement, but small-cap biotech remains challenged [75] Question: Fixed income trading activity - Volatility is creating uncertainty, leading to cautious behavior among clients, particularly in fixed income markets [77]

Financial Performance - Net revenues for Q1 2025 were $357 million, a decrease of 26% compared to Q4 2024 but an increase of 4% year-over-year[10]. - Net income attributable to Piper Sandler Companies was $65 million, a decrease of 6% from Q4 2024 but an increase of 53% compared to Q1 2024[17]. - Earnings per diluted common share for Q1 2025 were $3.65, down 5% from Q4 2024 but up 50% year-over-year[17]. - Total revenues for Piper Sandler Companies in Q1 2025 were $358.554 million, a decrease of 26.1% from $485.384 million in Q4 2024[40]. - Net income attributable to Piper Sandler Companies for Q1 2025 was $64,915,000, a decrease of 6.6% from $69,059,000 in Q4 2024 and an increase of 52.8% from $42,493,000 in Q1 2024[43]. - Adjusted net income for Q1 2025 was $73.495 million, a decrease of 15.2% from $86.756 million in Q4 2024[41]. - Adjusted earnings per diluted common share for Q1 2025 was $4.09, down 14.8% from $4.80 in Q4 2024 but up 46.5% from $2.79 in Q1 2024[43]. Revenue Breakdown - Advisory services revenues reached $217 million, accounting for approximately 60% of net revenues, and grew 38% year-over-year[5]. - Investment banking revenues totaled $278.9 million, a decrease of 25% from Q4 2024 but an increase of 21% year-over-year[10]. - Institutional brokerage revenues were $99 million, down 15% from Q4 2024 but up 9% compared to Q1 2024[11]. - Adjusted total revenues for Q1 2025 were $384.592 million, down 23.1% from $499.860 million in Q4 2024[41]. Operating Metrics - The pre-tax margin for Q1 2025 was 8.2%, down from 17.0% in Q4 2024 and 15.3% in Q1 2024[15]. - Adjusted operating income for Q1 2025 was $68.5 million, down 44% from Q4 2024 but up 23% from Q1 2024, with an adjusted operating margin of 17.9%[25]. - The adjusted operating margin for Q1 2025 was 17.9%, down from 24.4% in Q4 2024[41]. - Adjusted operating expenses for Q1 2025 were $314.8 million, a decrease of 17% from Q4 2024 and an increase of 13% from Q1 2024[24]. Shareholder Returns - The company returned an aggregate of $151 million to shareholders in Q1 2025, including $81 million in share repurchases and $70 million in dividends[5]. - The company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.65 per share, to be paid on June 13, 2025, and paid a special cash dividend of $3.00 per share during Q1 2025, totaling $70.3 million[30]. - Approximately 266,000 shares were repurchased during Q1 2025 for $80.6 million at an average price of $303.05 per share[31]. Tax and Compensation - The effective tax rate for Q1 2025 was negative 24.9%, influenced by $25.4 million in tax benefits related to restricted stock awards[16]. - The adjusted effective tax rate for Q1 2025 was negative 7.2%, significantly lower than the 28.5% in Q4 2024[26]. - The compensation ratio for Q1 2025 was 69.5%, an increase from Q4 2024, primarily due to lower net revenues and increased investment loss attributable to noncontrolling interests[19]. - Compensation and benefits expenses for Q1 2025 were $248.457 million, down 21.4% from $316.004 million in Q4 2024[40]. Employee Metrics - Full-time employees as of March 31, 2025, were 1,801, a slight decrease from 1,805 in Q4 2024[32]. - The company hired several managing directors to expand its investment banking capabilities in energy, healthcare, and fixed income sectors[5]. Non-GAAP Measures - The company emphasizes that non-GAAP measures are presented to provide a meaningful basis for comparison of operating results across periods[46].

Piper Sandler Companies (PIPR) shares ended the last trading session 14% higher at $240.34. The jump came on an impressive volume with a higher-than-average number of shares changing hands in the session. This compares to the stock's 15.9% loss over the past four weeks.Piper Sandler shares rallied sharply, benefiting from broad market strength following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 90-day suspension on tariffs for non-retaliating countries. The policy shift eased trade tensions and improved ma ...

Financial Performance - Total revenues for 2024 reached $1,531,595, an increase of 12.7% compared to $1,358,113 in 2023[324] - Net income attributable to Piper Sandler Companies for 2024 was $181,114, representing a significant increase of 111.9% from $85,491 in 2023[324] - Earnings per diluted share rose to $10.24 in 2024, up 106.3% from $4.96 in 2023[324] - Comprehensive income attributable to Piper Sandler Companies for 2024 was $180,829, a 107.5% increase from $87,096 in 2023[326] - Net income for the year ended December 31, 2024, was $157,440,000, an increase of 59% compared to $98,973,000 in 2023[331] Assets and Liabilities - Total assets increased to $2,255.9 million as of December 31, 2024, compared to $2,140.9 million in 2023, reflecting a growth of approximately 5.4%[322] - Total shareholders' equity grew to $1,415.8 million, up from $1,299.5 million, marking an increase of 8.9%[322] - The company's total liabilities remained relatively stable at $840.2 million, compared to $841.5 million in the previous year[322] - The company reported a net deferred income tax asset of $161.6 million, down from $179.2 million, reflecting a decrease of 9.8%[322] - Noncontrolling interests in investments decreased to $187.6 million from $211.1 million, a decline of 11.1%[322] Cash Flow and Investments - Cash and cash equivalents rose to $482.8 million, up from $383.1 million, representing a significant increase of 26.1% year-over-year[322] - Net cash provided by operating activities increased to $313,255,000 in 2024 from $275,629,000 in 2023, reflecting a growth of 13.6%[331] - The company reported a net cash used in investing activities of $31,766,000 in 2024, compared to $10,051,000 in 2023, indicating increased investment activity[331] - The Company’s investments at fair value decreased to $267.3 million in 2024 from $285.9 million in 2023[466] Expenses - Compensation and benefits expenses increased to $1,004,173 in 2024, a rise of 12% from $897,034 in 2023[324] - Total non-interest expenses for 2024 were $1,307,502, an increase of 6.7% compared to $1,225,381 in 2023[324] - Interest expense decreased to $5,681 in 2024, down 44.4% from $10,146 in 2023[324] - Payment of cash dividends decreased to $73,726,000 in 2024 from $84,444,000 in 2023, a decline of 12.6%[331] Acquisitions - The Company completed the acquisition of Aviditi Capital Advisors, LLC on August 23, 2024, adding private capital advisory capabilities to its platform[389] - The economic value of the acquisition on the date was $70 million, which included cash consideration, equity consideration, contingent consideration, and various compensation obligations[390] - The acquisition of DBO Partners was completed for a purchase price of $66.3 million, including $64.6 million in cash and $1.7 million in contingent consideration[401] - Goodwill from the DBO Partners acquisition was recorded at $57.3 million, expected to be tax-deductible, with identifiable intangible assets valued at $10.4 million[403] - The acquisition of Cornerstone Macro had a purchase price of $34.1 million, with goodwill recorded at $9.6 million and identifiable intangible assets valued at $19.0 million[415] Financial Instruments - Financial instruments and other inventory positions owned totaled $425.7 million, slightly down from $434.6 million, indicating a decrease of 2.1%[322] - The company recorded derivative contracts valued at $5,699,000 after netting effects, with a total liability of $76,982,000 for financial instruments sold but not yet purchased[441] - The total absolute notional contract amount of the Company's outstanding derivative instruments was $1.4 billion as of December 31, 2024, compared to $1.6 billion in 2023[462] Legal and Regulatory Matters - The Company is involved in various legal actions related to securities brokerage and investment banking activities, which could result in substantial damages[493]

Core Viewpoint - Piper Sandler Companies (PIPR) has initiated a new share repurchase plan, allowing for the buyback of up to $150 million worth of shares, effective immediately until December 31, 2026 [1] Share Repurchase and Dividend Actions - The new buyback program follows a previous authorization from May 2022, which also allowed for the repurchase of up to $150 million worth of shares, set to expire on December 31, 2024 [1] - Piper Sandler has consistently raised dividends, increasing its dividend 11 times in the last five years, with the latest hike of 8.3% to 65 cents per share, resulting in a current dividend yield of 0.80% based on a closing price of $319.36 [2] Capital Distribution Policy - The company aims to return 30-50% of its annual adjusted net income to shareholders, regularly announcing special cash dividends, with the most recent being $3.65 per share, announced in January and payable in March [3] Strategic Growth Initiatives - Piper Sandler is expanding through strategic acquisitions, including the acquisition of Aviditi Advisors in August 2024, which enhances its private capital advisory capabilities [4] - The company has been diversifying its revenue base and expanding its market share through these strategic buyouts, enhancing its scale and capabilities [4] Financial Performance and Market Position - Supported by strong earnings and a solid balance sheet, Piper Sandler is expected to continue effective capital distribution activities, enhancing shareholder value [5] - Over the past year, PIPR shares have increased by 73.6%, outperforming the investment bank industry's rally of 55.9% [5]

Core Viewpoint - Piper Sandler Companies (PIPR) has received an upgrade to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating a positive outlook based on rising earnings estimates, which are crucial for stock price movements [1][3][10] Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Impact - The Zacks rating system is based on changes in earnings estimates, which have a strong correlation with near-term stock price movements [4][6] - Institutional investors often rely on earnings estimates to determine the fair value of stocks, leading to significant buying or selling activity that affects stock prices [4] Recent Performance and Projections - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, Piper Sandler is expected to earn $14.14 per share, reflecting an 11.4% increase from the previous year [8] - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Piper Sandler has increased by 5%, indicating a positive trend in earnings expectations [8] Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank 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, highlighting their superior earnings estimate revision features [9][10]