Core Insights - Sound Financial Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFBC) operates in a competitive banking landscape and is evaluated based on its Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) compared to its Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) [1] Financial Performance - SFBC has a ROIC of 4.54% and a WACC of 17.25%, resulting in a ROIC to WACC ratio of 0.26, indicating it is not generating returns above its cost of capital [2][5] - SB Financial Group, Inc. (SBFG) leads with a ROIC of 5.93% and a WACC of 4.25%, achieving a ROIC to WACC ratio of 1.39, showcasing high capital efficiency [2][5] - FS Bancorp, Inc. (FSBW) has a ROIC of 8.09% and a WACC of 16.64%, resulting in a ROIC to WACC ratio of 0.48, indicating better capital utilization compared to SFBC [3][5] - Home Federal Bancorp, Inc. of Louisiana (HFBL) has a ROIC to WACC ratio of 0.04, reflecting significant challenges in generating returns above its cost of capital [3] - Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc. (SMBC) and IF Bancorp, Inc. (IROQ) have ROIC to WACC ratios of 0.07 and 0.19, respectively, indicating struggles similar to SFBC in achieving returns that surpass their cost of capital [4]

Core Insights - SB Financial Group reported strong financial performance for the fourth quarter and full year of 2025, with significant increases in net interest income, earnings per share, and tangible book value per share, despite challenges in the mortgage sector [4][7][2] Financial Performance - Net interest income for Q4 was $12.7 million, a nearly 17% increase from $10.9 million in Q4 2024, and a 3.1% increase from the prior quarter [1][6] - Full-year net interest income rose to $48.4 million, up $8.5 million or 21% year-over-year, attributed to a larger balance sheet and wider margins [1] - GAAP EPS for the full year was $2.19, a 27% increase from $1.72 in 2024, marking the second-highest earnings performance in 20 years [2] - Q4 net income was $3.9 million, with diluted EPS of $0.63, reflecting a 15% increase from the prior-year quarter [3][7] Balance Sheet and Growth - Loans grew by $70 million in Q4, marking seven consecutive quarters of growth, with a loan-to-deposit ratio of 90.3% [5][10] - Total deposits increased by $45 million in Q4 (14% annualized) and nearly $155 million year-over-year (13%) [11] - Contingent liquidity was strong at over $550 million, with the company holding about $50 million in excess liquidity [13] Asset Quality - Non-performing loans improved to 0.39% of total loans, with the allowance for credit losses providing 352% coverage of non-performing assets [18] - Total delinquencies increased slightly to 49 basis points, while total delinquent loans decreased by $1.6 million from the prior year [18] Operational Highlights - Total operating revenue in Q4 rose to $16.4 million, up 6.3% year-over-year, primarily driven by net interest income [8] - Mortgage originations in Q4 were $72.4 million, with a full-year volume of $278 million, reflecting an 8% increase from the prior year [14] - Non-interest income for Q4 was $3.7 million, down 18.6% from the prior-year quarter, attributed to a negative contribution from other non-interest income [14] Capital Management - The company repurchased nearly 32,000 shares in Q4 at an average price just under $21, and over 283,000 shares for the full year [17] - A dividend of $0.155 per share was announced, marking the 13th consecutive year of increasing the annual dividend payout [17] Future Outlook - Management emphasized a focus on deposits, disciplined lending, and cross-selling opportunities, with a healthy loan pipeline and expansion efforts in various markets [19]

分组1 - SB Financial Group, Inc. (SBFG) reported quarterly earnings of $0.65 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.64 per share, and up from $0.52 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of +1.56% [1] - The company posted revenues of $16.42 million for the quarter ended December 2025, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.84%, compared to year-ago revenues of $15.45 million [2] - SB Financial Group has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times over the last four quarters and topped consensus revenue estimates two times during the same period [2] 分组2 - The stock has underperformed the market, losing about 2.4% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has gained 1.9% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the coming quarter is $0.57 on revenues of $16.6 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $2.45 on revenues of $68.9 million [7] - The Zacks Industry Rank for Banks - Northeast is currently in the top 23% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating a favorable outlook for the industry [8]

Pathward Financial (CASH) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.57 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.38 per share. This compares to earnings of $1.29 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +13.77%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this holding company for Pathward, N.A. would post earnings of $1.39 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.69, delivering a surprise of +21.58%.Over the ...

分组1 - Eagle Bancorp reported quarterly earnings of $0.25 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $0.12 per share, representing an earnings surprise of +308.33% [1] - The company posted revenues of $80.5 million for the quarter ended December 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 9.70%, compared to year-ago revenues of $74.86 million [2] - Over the last four quarters, Eagle Bancorp has surpassed consensus EPS estimates just once and topped consensus revenue estimates only once [2] 分组2 - The current consensus EPS estimate for the coming quarter is $0.09 on revenues of $73.29 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $1.58 on revenues of $303.63 million [7] - The Zacks Industry Rank for Banks - Northeast is currently in the top 34% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating a favorable outlook for the industry [8] - Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which can impact stock performance [5]

Core Viewpoint - Shore Bancshares (SHBI) has experienced significant stock performance, with a 13.4% increase over the past month and reaching a 52-week high of $17.74 [1] Financial Performance - The company has consistently outperformed earnings expectations, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the last four quarters. In the latest earnings report on October 23, 2025, EPS was reported at $0.48 against a consensus estimate of $0.45, although revenue fell short by 0.4% [2] - For the current fiscal year, Shore Bancshares is projected to achieve earnings of $1.78 per share on revenues of $223.93 million, reflecting an 8.54% increase in EPS and a 10.89% increase in revenues. For the next fiscal year, earnings are expected to rise to $1.91 per share on revenues of $240.6 million, indicating year-over-year changes of 7.3% and 7.44%, respectively [3] Valuation Metrics - The stock trades at 9.9 times the current fiscal year EPS estimates, slightly below the peer industry average of 10.3 times. On a trailing cash flow basis, it trades at 10.6 times compared to the peer group's average of 11.3 times, suggesting it is not among the top value stocks [7] - Shore Bancshares holds a Value Score of B, a Growth Score of C, and a Momentum Score of F, resulting in a combined VGM Score of B [6] Zacks Rank - The company currently has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), supported by favorable earnings estimate revisions from analysts, making it a suitable choice for investors looking for stocks with strong potential [8][9] Industry Comparison - The Banks - Northeast industry is performing well, with Shore Bancshares and its peer, SB Financial Group, Inc. (SBFG), both holding a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy). SBFG has shown a 15.2% increase over the past month and is expected to post earnings of $2.45 per share on revenues of $66.2 million for the current fiscal year [10][11][12]

Core Insights - Five stocks have been added to the Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) List, indicating strong potential for investment Group 1: Company Performance - Teradata (TDC) has seen a 7.8% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - SB Financial Group (SBFG) has experienced a 5.4% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - Farmers & Merchants Bancorp (FMAO) has recorded a 5.3% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [3] - First Financial Corporation Indiana (THFF) has noted a 3.9% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [4] - Alpine Income Property Trust (PINE) has seen a 2.3% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [5]

Core Insights - Three stocks are highlighted with a buy rank and strong value characteristics: Jackson Financial, OP Bancorp, and SB Financial Group Company Summaries - **Jackson Financial (JXN)**: A U.S. retirement services provider with a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 1.7% over the last 60 days. The company has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 4.37, significantly lower than the industry average of 10.80, and possesses a Value Score of A [1][2]. - **OP Bancorp (OPBK)**: Provides commercial banking services to retail and institutional customers, also carrying a Zacks Rank 1. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 4.7% over the last 60 days. The company has a P/E ratio of 7.11 compared to the industry average of 11.10, and it also has a Value Score of A [2][3]. - **SB Financial Group (SBFG)**: A financial service holding company offering a full range of financial services, including wealth management and lending. It holds a Zacks Rank 1, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing by 5.4% over the last 60 days. The company has a P/E ratio of 8.35, well below the industry average of 29.40, and possesses a Value Score of A [3][4].

Group 1: Stock Highlights - Tactile Systems Technology (TCMD) has seen a 29% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - Naspers (NPSNY) has experienced a 20.7% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - SB Financial Group (SBFG) has recorded a 5.4% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [3] - OP Bancorp (OPBK) has seen a 4.7% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [4] - Sony (SONY) has experienced a 4.4% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [4]

Group 1: Investment Opportunities - Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (FMAO) has a Zacks Rank 1 and a dividend yield of 3.7%, higher than the industry average of 2.6% [1] - NatWest Group plc (NWG) also holds a Zacks Rank 1 with a dividend yield of 3.1%, surpassing the industry average of 2.9% [2] - SB Financial Group, Inc. (SBFG) is another company with a Zacks Rank 1, although its dividend yield is not specified [2] Group 2: Earnings Estimates - Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. has seen its current year earnings estimate increase by 5.3% over the last 60 days [1] - NatWest Group plc's current year earnings estimate has risen by 13.8% over the last 60 days [2] - SB Financial Group, Inc. has experienced a 5.4% increase in its current year earnings estimate over the last 60 days [2]