Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of identifying and sustaining stock price trends for successful short-term investing, highlighting the need for strong fundamentals and positive earnings revisions to maintain momentum [1][2]. Group 1: Stock Performance - SB Financial Group, Inc. (SBFG) has shown a solid price increase of 13.9% over the past 12 weeks, indicating investor confidence in its potential upside [4]. - The stock has experienced a price increase of 18.4% over the last four weeks, suggesting that the upward trend is still intact [5]. - SBFG is currently trading at 94.9% of its 52-week high-low range, indicating a potential breakout opportunity [5]. Group 2: Fundamental Strength - SBFG holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), placing it in the top 5% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimate revisions and EPS surprises, which are critical for near-term price movements [6]. - The stock has an Average Broker Recommendation of 1 (Strong Buy), reflecting high optimism from the brokerage community regarding its near-term performance [7]. Group 3: Investment Strategy - The article suggests that investors can utilize the "Recent Price Strength" screen to identify stocks like SBFG that are on an upward trend supported by strong fundamentals [3][8]. - It also mentions the availability of over 45 Zacks Premium Screens tailored to different investing styles, which can help in finding winning stock picks [8].

Financial Performance - Operating revenue for Q4 2024 was $15.5 million, a 2.2% increase from $15.1 million in Q4 2023[5] - Net income for Q4 2024 was $3.6 million, down 6.4% from $3.9 million in Q4 2023, with diluted EPS at $0.55[6] - Noninterest income for Q4 2024 was $4.6 million, a 17.6% decline from $5.5 million in Q4 2023[9] - Net income for December 2024 was $3,635 thousand, representing a 54.3% increase compared to $2,354 thousand in September 2024[36] - Basic earnings per common share rose to $0.55 in December 2024, up from $0.35 in September 2024, an increase of 57.1%[36] - Net income for 2024 was $11,470 million, down from $12,094 million in 2023, showing a decline of 5.2%[44] - Diluted earnings per share decreased to $1.72 in 2024 from $1.75 in 2023, a reduction of 1.7%[44] Revenue and Income Sources - Interest income rose to $16.8 million, an 11.4% increase from $15.1 million in the prior year[6] - Noninterest income totaled $4,557 thousand in December 2024, an increase of 10.6% from $4,123 thousand in September 2024[35] - Net interest income increased to $10,897 thousand in December 2024, up 7.0% from $10,186 thousand in September 2024[35] - Net interest income for Q4 2024 was $10,897,000, an increase of 6.98% from $10,186,000 in Q3 2024[39] - Adjusted total operating revenue for 2024 was $56,897 million, slightly down from $57,045 million in 2023, indicating a decrease of 0.3%[44] Asset and Liability Management - Total assets reached $1.38 billion, driven by a $46.5 million or 4.7% increase in the loan portfolio[18] - Total assets decreased to $1,379,517 thousand in December 2024 from $1,393,949 thousand in September 2024, a decline of 1.0%[33] - Total liabilities decreased to $1,252,009 thousand in December 2024 from $1,261,108 thousand in September 2024, a decline of 0.7%[33] - Total assets increased to $1,361,274 million in 2024 from $1,334,644 million in 2023, representing a growth of 2.0%[43] Deposits and Loans - Total deposits increased by $82.4 million, or 7.7%, to $1.15 billion year-over-year[19] - Total deposits reached $1,152.6 million, with a growth of $82.4 million or 7.7% compared to the previous year[22] - Total deposits slightly decreased to $1,152,605 thousand in December 2024 from $1,159,533 thousand in September 2024, a decrease of 0.3%[33] - Loan balances increased by $46.5 million year-over-year, achieving a total of $1,046.7 million, reflecting a growth rate of 4.7%[22] - Total loans rose to $1,040,580 million, up from $992,337 million, representing an increase of about 4.9%[42] Shareholder Value and Equity - Shareholders' equity ended the year at $127.5 million, reflecting a $3.2 million increase from the prior year[19] - SB Financial repurchased 130,465 shares in Q4 2024, demonstrating commitment to shareholder value through buybacks and dividends[21] - Tangible book value per share increased by $1.02, or 6.8%, to $16.00 from the prior year[6] - Market price per common share was $20.91, reflecting an increase from $20.56 in the previous quarter[39] - The tangible equity ratio was reported at 7.66%, reflecting a strong equity position relative to tangible assets[40] Asset Quality and Risk Management - Nonperforming assets totaled $5.5 million, representing 0.40% of total assets, an increase from 0.25% the previous year[23] - The allowance for credit losses was 1.44% of total loans, providing 273.7% coverage of nonperforming loans, indicating a conservative risk management approach[24] - Nonperforming commercial and agricultural loans increased by 291.3% year-over-year, totaling $2.9 million[26] - The net loan charge-offs to average loans ratio remained low at 7 basis points for the quarter and 2 basis points for the full year[24] - The allowance for credit loss to nonperforming loans ratio stood at 273.68%, reflecting strong coverage for potential loan losses[40] Efficiency and Performance Ratios - The efficiency ratio improved to 71.09% in Q4 2024 from 76.78% in the linked quarter[17] - Return on average assets (ROAA) improved to 1.04% in Q4 2024, compared to 0.68% in Q3 2024[39] - Return on average equity (ROE) increased to 11.13% in Q4 2024, up from 7.32% in Q3 2024[39] - The common equity tier 1 ratio (Bank) was reported at 13.43%, indicating a solid capital position[40] - The net loan charge-offs to average loans ratio was 0.07%, indicating low levels of loan defaults[40] Future Outlook - The company plans to hold its Q4 2024 earnings conference call on January 24, 2025[27]

Financial Data and Key Metrics - 2024 was a year of expansion and resilience for the company, indicating positive financial performance [6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics - No specific data provided in the content regarding individual business lines or their performance metrics Market Data and Key Metrics - No specific data provided in the content regarding market performance or key metrics by region or segment Company Strategy and Industry Competition - The company emphasized 2024 as a year of expansion, suggesting a strategic focus on growth and resilience [6] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management highlighted the resilience and expansion in 2024, indicating a positive outlook for the company's future [6] Other Important Information - The conference call contained forward-looking information, with cautionary statements and reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures available in the earnings release materials and SEC filings [4] - The call was broadcast live and archived on the company's website, with materials available for reference [3] Q&A Session Summary - No Q&A session details were provided in the content

Group 1: Earnings Performance - SB Financial Group, Inc. reported quarterly earnings of $0.52 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.41 per share, but down from $0.57 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of 26.83% [1] - The company posted revenues of $15.45 million for the quarter ended December 2024, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.58%, compared to year-ago revenues of $15.12 million [2] - Over the last four quarters, SB Financial Group has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times and topped consensus revenue estimates three times [2] Group 2: Stock Performance and Outlook - SB Financial Group shares have declined approximately 1.9% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has gained 3.5% [3] - The company's earnings outlook is crucial for investors, as it includes current consensus earnings expectations for upcoming quarters and any recent changes to these expectations [4] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.32 on revenues of $14.7 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $1.78 on revenues of $62.4 million [7] Group 3: Industry Context - The Zacks Industry Rank indicates that the Banks - Northeast sector is currently in the top 20% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable environment for stocks in this category [8] - Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which can be tracked by investors or through tools like the Zacks Rank [5][6]

Core Viewpoint - SB Financial Group, Inc. reported its fourth-quarter and full-year 2024 financial results, highlighting growth in key areas despite a slight decline in net income and earnings per share compared to the previous year. The company emphasized its ability to navigate challenges while maintaining operational efficiency and delivering shareholder value [4][6][22]. Financial Performance - For the fourth quarter of 2024, operating revenue increased by 2.2% to $15.5 million compared to $15.1 million in the prior year, while net income decreased by 6.4% to $3.6 million [4][8]. - Interest income for the quarter rose by 11.4% to $16.8 million, driven by strong loan performance, with loans increasing by $46.5 million year-over-year [5][7]. - Noninterest income declined by 17.6% year-over-year to $4.6 million, primarily due to the Visa B share sale recorded in the prior year quarter [9][14]. - The company reported a full-year net income of $11.5 million, down 5.2% from $12.1 million in 2023, with diluted earnings per share of $1.72, a decrease of 1.7% from $1.75 [7][20]. Loan and Deposit Growth - Total loans reached $1.05 billion, marking a year-over-year increase of 4.7% [19][23]. - Total deposits increased by $82.4 million, or 7.7%, to $1.15 billion, reflecting strong customer engagement [20][25]. Mortgage Banking Operations - Mortgage originations surged to $72.5 million, an 83.3% increase year-over-year, with mortgage sales rising to $62.3 million, an 86.7% increase compared to the same period last year [10][11]. - The mortgage servicing portfolio expanded to $1.43 billion, achieving a year-over-year increase of 4.4% [10][11]. Asset Quality - As of December 31, 2024, nonperforming assets totaled $5.5 million, representing 0.40% of total assets, an increase from 0.25% in the prior year [26][30]. - The allowance for credit losses remained robust at 1.44% of total loans, providing 273.7% coverage of nonperforming loans [27][28]. Shareholder Value and Capital Management - The tangible book value per share increased by 6.8% to $16.00, reflecting the company's commitment to delivering shareholder value [5][7]. - During the fourth quarter, the company repurchased 130,465 shares, continuing its active buyback program [21].

Merger Details - SB Financial Group, Inc successfully closed the acquisition of Marblehead Bancorp, Inc, merging Marblehead Bank into State Bank [1] - The merger was unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both bank holding companies and their subsidiary banks, and adopted by Marblehead shareholders [1] - Marblehead shareholders received $196.31 in cash per share, valuing the transaction at approximately $5.0 million [2] Strategic Impact - The merger extends SB Financial's presence in Northwest Ohio, enhancing its ability to serve the Marblehead community with expanded financial products and services [3] - The combined organization now manages approximately $1.4 billion in assets, positioning it to deliver exceptional service and innovative financial solutions [3] Company Overview - SB Financial Group, Inc is a diversified financial services holding company headquartered in Defiance, Ohio, operating through 25 offices and 25 ATMs across Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan [5] - State Bank provides a full range of financial services including wealth management, private client services, mortgage banking, and commercial and agricultural lending [5] - Marblehead Bancorp, headquartered in Marblehead, Ohio, operates two full-service bank branch offices and is the only brick-and-mortar bank on the Marblehead Peninsula [6] Legal and Financial Advisors - Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP served as legal counsel to SB Financial [4] - Janney Montgomery Scott served as financial advisor to Marblehead and provided a fairness opinion to its Board of Directors [4] - Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP served as Marblehead's legal counsel [4]

DEFIANCE, Ohio, Jan. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SB Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SBFG), a diversified financial services company providing full-service community banking, mortgage banking, wealth management, private client and title insurance services, expects to release its fourth quarter and full year 2024 financial results on Thursday, January 23, 2025, after the close of the market. The company will hold a related conference call and webcast on Friday, January 24, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. EDT. Interested ...

When it comes to short-term investing or trading, they say "the trend is your friend." And there's no denying that this is the most profitable strategy. But making sure of the sustainability of a trend to profit from it is easier said than done.The trend often reverses before exiting the trade, leading to a short-term capital loss for investors. So, for a profitable trade, one should confirm factors such as sound fundamentals, positive earnings estimate revisions, etc. that could keep the momentum in the st ...

Core Viewpoint - The sustainability of a trend is crucial for successful short-term investing, and confirming fundamental factors is essential to maintain momentum in stocks [1][2]. Group 1: Trend Analysis - Timing entries into a trend significantly impacts investment success, as trends can reverse unexpectedly, leading to potential losses [1][2]. - A predefined screening strategy, "Recent Price Strength," helps identify stocks with strong fundamentals that can sustain their upward trends [3]. Group 2: Stock Performance - SB Financial Group, Inc. (SBFG) has shown a solid price increase of 28.7% over the past 12 weeks, indicating strong investor interest [4]. - The stock has also increased by 6.5% in the last four weeks, suggesting that the upward trend is still intact [5]. - Currently, SBFG is trading at 88.1% of its 52-week high-low range, indicating a potential breakout [5]. Group 3: Fundamental Strength - SBFG holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), placing it in the top 5% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimate revisions and EPS surprises [6]. - The stock has an Average Broker Recommendation of 1 (Strong Buy), reflecting high optimism from the brokerage community regarding its near-term performance [7]. Group 4: Investment Strategy - In addition to SBFG, there are other stocks that meet the criteria of the "Recent Price Strength" screen, providing additional investment opportunities [8]. - The effectiveness of stock-picking strategies can be backtested using tools like the Zacks Research Wizard, which offers insights into successful strategies [9].

SB Financial Group, Inc. (SBFG) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.41 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.42 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.40 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -2.38%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this company would post earnings of $0.35 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.46, delivering a surprise of 31.43%.Over the last four quarters, the ...