Core Viewpoint - Simmons First National Corporation has authorized a new stock repurchase program allowing for the repurchase of up to $175 million of its Class A common stock, replacing the previous program that ended on January 31, 2026 [1] Group 1: Stock Repurchase Program - The new stock repurchase program will enable the company to buy back shares through open market and privately negotiated transactions, including Rule 10b5-1 programs [1] - The management will determine the timing, pricing, and amount of repurchases based on factors such as trading volume, market price, corporate considerations, and economic conditions [1] - The program is set to terminate on January 31, 2028, unless terminated sooner, and does not obligate the company to repurchase any stock [1] Group 2: Company Background - Simmons First National Corporation is a financial holding company based in the Mid-South, with a history of paying cash dividends for 116 consecutive years [1] - Its principal subsidiary, Simmons Bank, operates over 220 branches across several states including Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas [1] - The bank has received multiple recognitions, including being named one of America's Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions for 2026 by Newsweek [1]

Group 1 - TTM Technologies, Inc. (TTMI) has seen a 12.9% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. (AEIS) has experienced a 9.5% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - Deluxe Corporation (DLX) has reported an 11.1% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - Ford Motor Company (F) has seen a 7% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [3] - Simmons First National Corporation (SFNC) has experienced a 5.2% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [3]

Simmons First National (SFNC) could be a solid addition to your portfolio given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). This upgrade primarily reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.The Zacks rating relies solely on a company's changing earnings picture. It tracks EPS estimates for the current and following years from the sell-side analysts covering the stock through a consensus measure -- the Zacks Consensus Estimate.Indiv ...

Core Insights - Simmons Bank is enhancing its leadership team by adding Brian Jackson and Jonathan Schneider, which is expected to drive growth and efficiency in the bank's operations [1][3] - The bank is also expanding its Private Banking and Wealth Management team, which will contribute to organic growth and increased fee income [5][6] Leadership Additions - Brian Jackson has nearly 20 years of experience in financial services, previously serving as Executive Vice President at Regions Bank, focusing on consumer products and strategic finance [1][2] - Jonathan Schneider has 18 years of commercial banking experience, most recently as Executive Director at Veritex Bank, where he developed strategies for private equity and commercial deposits [3][4] Wealth Management Expansion - An 8-member Private Banking and Wealth Management team from BMO Financial Group is joining Simmons, led by Rick Sartori, who has a strong background in serving clients in Midwestern markets [5][7] - The expansion of the Wealth Management business is a strategic objective for Simmons, aimed at deepening banking relationships and enhancing client services [6] Team Profiles - Rick Sartori has a distinguished career in finance, previously leading a Private Wealth team at BMO Wealth Management [7] - David Ringwald brings over 20 years of experience, having served as Vice President of Private Banking and with a background in commercial real estate [8] - Other team members include Monica Covert-Risner, Sean Zurbriggen, Tyler Noll, Borislav Shull, Gregory Erdman, and Milica Mijailovic, each with significant experience in financial services [9][11][12][13][14][15] Company Overview - Simmons Bank, a subsidiary of Simmons First National Corporation, operates over 220 branches across several states and has a long history of paying cash dividends [16] - The bank has received multiple accolades, including recognition as one of America's Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions by Newsweek and Forbes [16]

Core Viewpoint - Simmons First National Corporation (SFNC) is showing potential as a bullish investment opportunity due to a recent "golden cross" in its moving averages, indicating a possible breakout [1] Technical Analysis - SFNC's 50-day simple moving average has crossed above its 200-day simple moving average, a pattern known as a "golden cross" which is typically associated with bullish market sentiment [1] - A golden cross occurs after a downtrend, followed by a crossover of the shorter moving average over the longer one, leading to a positive trend reversal [2] Performance Metrics - Over the past four weeks, SFNC has experienced a price increase of 7.8% [3] - The stock is currently rated 1 (Strong Buy) on the Zacks Rank, suggesting strong potential for further gains [3] Earnings Expectations - There have been four upward revisions in earnings expectations for the current quarter, with no downward revisions, indicating positive sentiment among analysts [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has also increased, reinforcing the bullish outlook for SFNC [3][5]

Core Viewpoint - Simmons First National (SFNC) shows a significantly improving earnings outlook, making it an attractive option for investors as analysts continue to raise earnings estimates for the company [1][2]. Earnings Estimate Revisions - The upward trend in earnings estimate revisions reflects growing analyst optimism regarding Simmons First National'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, representing an increase of +84.6% year-over-year, with a 6.11% rise in the consensus estimate over the last 30 days due to three upward revisions [6]. - For the full year, the expected earnings are $2.02 per share, indicating a year-over-year change of +16.8%, with a 5.34% increase in the consensus estimate driven by four upward revisions [7][8]. Zacks Rank and Performance - Simmons First National currently holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating strong potential for outperformance based on favorable estimate revisions [9]. - Stocks with a Zacks Rank 1 and 2 have historically outperformed the S&P 500, suggesting a positive outlook for Simmons First National [9]. Stock Performance - The stock has gained 5% over the past four weeks, reflecting investor confidence in its earnings growth prospects [10].

Core Insights - The company reported a strong fourth-quarter loan growth, marking the highest production pace in years, with total loans growing approximately 7% annualized, although underlying growth was noted to be even higher [3][7] - Management emphasized that deposit growth remains a key strategic priority, having reduced brokered deposits by about $1.4 billion [4][5][19] - The net interest margin (NIM) improved by 31 basis points to 3.81%, with expectations for stability in 2026 and potential increases due to deposit mix improvements [6][8][11] Loan Production and Growth - The fourth-quarter loan growth was the strongest in at least two years, significantly offsetting elevated paydowns, although some portfolio segments showed seasonal weakness [3][4] - The company anticipates low-to-mid single-digit loan growth for 2026, influenced by timing effects and a focus on credit discipline [2][7] Deposit Strategy - Deposit growth is framed as a central strategic focus, with efforts in consumer banking, private banking, and commercial initiatives aimed at attracting deposit-rich customers [19] - The company has a significant opportunity to increase non-interest-bearing deposits, which currently remain below peer levels [19] Net Interest Margin and Financial Outlook - The linked-quarter NIM increase was attributed to a balance sheet restructuring and core NIM expansion, with expectations for a stable margin in 2026 [6][8][9] - Management expects the cumulative deposit beta to moderate, with an estimated incremental beta for future rate cuts around 50% [10] Asset Quality and Credit Conditions - Management reported stable credit conditions, having resolved two problem credits with less impact than expected and completed a sale of the Equipment Finance business [13][15] - The company is focused on cleaning up legacy nonperformers and has adequate reserves for the actions taken [14] Efficiency Initiatives - The company is in the "middle innings" of its Better Bank initiative, with expenses below the fourth-quarter 2022 run-rate despite inflation and ongoing investments [16] - Management highlighted a continuous improvement mindset, with efforts to inspect and optimize processes across various functions [17] Capital Deployment and Investment - Priorities for capital deployment include organic growth and investment, with share repurchases remaining a potential tool based on market conditions [20] - The company plans to continue hiring and upgrading talent, particularly in revenue-generating areas and support functions related to automation [18]

Group 1 - The article does not provide any relevant content regarding company or industry insights [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The net interest margin (NIM) increased by 94 basis points compared to the previous year, reaching 381 basis points in Q4 [82] - Pre-Provision Net Revenue rose by 60% year-over-year, indicating strong revenue growth [83] - The company reported a return on tangible common equity (ROTCE) of 16% for the quarter, reflecting a strong performance [60] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Loan growth in Q4 was the highest level of production seen in at least a couple of years, with a reported annualized growth rate exceeding 7% [8][10] - Agricultural loans were down in Q4, while the mortgage warehouse loans also decreased due to divestitures and charge-offs [9] - The pipeline for loans ready to close reached a multi-quarter high, indicating strong future growth potential [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted that deposit competition remains high, particularly from smaller banks, but it maintains a dominant market share in many areas [22] - The competitive environment for loan pricing has become more challenging, particularly in commercial real estate (CRE) lending [24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on organic growth and investing in business sustainability and profitability as its top priorities [53] - There is a strong emphasis on improving processes and procedures as part of the Better Bank initiative, with ongoing efforts to enhance efficiency and scale [37][39] - The company aims to grow low-cost deposits and is optimistic about expanding its private banking and commercial capabilities [67][69] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the stability of credit quality and the overall outlook for the company, citing a stable credit environment [32] - The company anticipates a stable NIM moving forward, with expectations for continued growth in net interest income (NII) without significant loan portfolio growth [18][19] - Management highlighted the importance of adapting to market conditions and leveraging opportunities across its footprint [34] Other Important Information - The company has reduced its square footage by 6%, contributing to cost savings and improved efficiency [42] - There is a focus on hiring talent across various business areas to drive innovation and efficiency [35] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the drivers behind loan growth in Q4? - Management indicated that the loan growth was driven by a combination of improved pipeline quality and favorable market conditions, rather than aggressive rate cuts [48] Question: What is the outlook for NIM moving forward? - Management suggested that the top end of the NIM range has shifted upwards due to current market conditions, with expectations for stability in the mid-380s [51][52] Question: How does the company plan to grow customer deposits in 2026? - The strategy includes focusing on consumer banking, private banking, and enhancing commercial capabilities to attract deposit-rich customers [66][69] Question: What is the company's approach to asset quality and potential divestitures? - Management reported stable asset quality and indicated that recent divestitures were part of a strategy to clean up legacy non-performers [30][32] Question: How does the company view competition in the deposit and loan markets? - Management noted that while deposit competition is high, particularly from smaller banks, the company maintains a strong market position [22][24]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The net interest margin (NIM) increased by 94 basis points compared to the previous year, reaching 381 basis points in the fourth quarter [84] - The return on average assets (ROA) for the quarter was 129 basis points, with a sustainable run rate expected to be in the mid-teens [62] - The efficiency ratio improved significantly, with expenses down on a multi-year basis, contributing to a nearly 20% increase in revenue year-over-year [84] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Loan growth in the fourth quarter was the highest level of production seen in at least two years, despite elevated paydowns [8][9] - The pipeline for loans ready to close reached a multi-quarter high, indicating strong potential for funded growth in early 2026 [10] - The company expects low to mid single-digit growth in loans for 2026, balancing optimism with caution regarding credit and underwriting environments [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The competitive environment for loans has intensified, particularly in commercial real estate (CRE), with irrational pricing affecting profitability [24] - Deposit competition remains strong, especially from smaller banks, but the company maintains a dominant market share in many areas [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on organic growth and investing in business sustainability and profitability as its top priorities [52] - There is a strong emphasis on improving processes and procedures as part of the Better Bank initiative, with ongoing efforts to enhance efficiency and scale [37][39] - The company aims to grow low-cost deposits and enhance its deposit base through various strategic initiatives, including private banking and small business opportunities [66][71] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the stability of credit quality, noting that early indicators remain stable [32] - The company anticipates a stable NIM moving forward, with expectations for continued growth in net interest income (NII) without significant loan portfolio growth [18][19] - The outlook for 2026 includes expectations for rate cuts, but the company believes it can manage its NIM effectively despite these changes [17] Other Important Information - The company has reduced its square footage by 6%, contributing to cost savings and future maintenance savings [41] - The company is actively hiring talent across various business areas to support growth and innovation [35] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the drivers behind loan growth in the fourth quarter? - Management noted that loan growth was driven by a combination of improved pipeline quality and favorable timing, with the highest production levels seen in years [8][9] Question: What is the outlook for the margin and any unusual factors in the fourth quarter? - The margin growth of 31 basis points was attributed to balance sheet restructuring and core NIM expansion, with expectations for stability in the upcoming quarters [12][13] Question: How is the company addressing deposit competition and loan pricing? - Management indicated that while deposit competition remains strong, particularly from smaller banks, the company has a strong market position and is focused on maintaining profitability despite competitive pressures [22][24] Question: What is the company's strategy for capital deployment? - The company prioritizes organic growth and dividends, with potential for share buybacks depending on market conditions [52][53] Question: How does the company view the trajectory of ROTC moving forward? - Management expects ROTC to stabilize in the mid-teens, with a strong path to achieve this through ongoing strategic initiatives [59][63]