Getting big returns from financial portfolios, whether through stocks, bonds, ETFs, other securities, or a combination of all, is an investor's dream. However, when you're an income investor, your primary focus is generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments.Cash flow can come from bond interest, interest from other types of investments, and, of course, dividends. A dividend is that coveted distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders, and investors often view it by ...

Group 1 - The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc has outperformed its peers in the Finance sector with a year-to-date return of 15.1%, compared to the sector average of 2.3% [4] - The Zacks Rank for PNC is currently 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook based on earnings estimates and revisions [3] - Over the past 90 days, the consensus estimate for PNC's full-year earnings has increased by 3.6%, reflecting stronger analyst sentiment [3] Group 2 - PNC is part of the Financial - Investment Bank industry, which ranks 46 in the Zacks Industry Rank, with an average gain of 1.2% year-to-date [6] - Associated Banc-Corp, another outperforming stock in the Finance sector, has returned 12.3% year-to-date and has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [4][5] - The Banks - Midwest industry, to which Associated Banc-Corp belongs, is ranked 44 and has seen a year-to-date increase of 10.4% [7]

Company Overview - Peoples Bancorp (PEBO) is headquartered in Marietta and operates in the Finance sector, with a stock price change of 12.32% since the beginning of the year [3]. Dividend Information - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.41 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 4.86%, which is significantly higher than the Banks - Midwest industry's yield of 2.67% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.36% [3]. - The annualized dividend of $1.64 has increased by 0.6% from the previous year, and over the last five years, the company has raised its dividend five times, averaging an annual increase of 3.63% [4]. Earnings Growth - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company's earnings in 2026 is projected to be $3.40 per share, indicating a year-over-year growth rate of 8.97% [5]. Investment Considerations - The company is viewed as a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend performance and a current payout ratio of 53%, meaning it distributes 53% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4][6]. - The stock is currently rated with a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), suggesting a stable investment outlook [6].

Core Viewpoint - First Financial Corp. (THFF) has shown strong stock performance, with a 12.1% increase over the past month and reaching a new 52-week high of $69.21, outperforming the Zacks Finance sector and the Zacks Banks - Midwest industry [1]. Performance Summary - The stock has consistently beaten earnings estimates, reporting an EPS of $1.81 against a consensus estimate of $1.69 in its last earnings report [2]. - Year-to-date, First Financial Corp. has gained 12%, compared to a 1.8% increase in the Zacks Finance sector and an 11.1% return in the Zacks Banks - Midwest industry [1]. Valuation Metrics - The stock trades at 9.3X current fiscal year EPS estimates, below the peer industry average of 10.5X, and at 12.9X on a trailing cash flow basis, compared to the peer group's average of 11.4X [6]. - The current valuation metrics suggest that the company may not be in the top tier from a value perspective [6]. Zacks Style Scores - First Financial Corp. has a Value Score of B, a Growth Score of D, and a Momentum Score of A, resulting in a combined VGM Score of B [5]. - The Zacks Style Scores provide a framework for investors to evaluate stocks based on their investment style [4]. Zacks Rank - First Financial Corp. holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), supported by rising earnings estimates, indicating potential for further stock price appreciation [7]. - The recommendation is for investors to consider stocks with Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, which applies to First Financial Corp. [7].

Company Performance - UMB Financial (UMBF) shares have increased by 8.9% over the past month, reaching a new 52-week high of $132.49 [1] - Year-to-date, UMB has gained 13.9%, outperforming the Zacks Finance sector's 1.8% gain and the Zacks Banks - Midwest industry's 11.1% return [1] Earnings and Revenue Expectations - UMB has consistently beaten earnings estimates, with an EPS of $3.08 reported on January 27, 2026, compared to a consensus estimate of $2.71 [2] - For the current fiscal year, UMB is projected to earn $12.03 per share on revenues of $2.89 billion, reflecting a 5.99% increase in EPS and a 7.96% increase in revenues [3] - The next fiscal year is expected to see earnings of $13.13 per share on revenues of $3.06 billion, indicating a year-over-year change of 9.15% in EPS and 6.04% in revenues [3] Valuation Metrics - UMB currently trades at 10.9 times the current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is above the peer industry average of 10.5 times [7] - On a trailing cash flow basis, UMB trades at 10.5 times, compared to the peer group's average of 11.4 times [7] - The stock has a PEG ratio of 0.94, which does not place it among the top tier of stocks from a value perspective [7] Zacks Rank and Style Scores - UMB holds a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) due to a favorable earnings estimate revision trend [8] - The stock has a Value Score of B, a Growth Score of C, and a Momentum Score of A, resulting in a combined VGM Score of B [6] Industry Comparison - UMBF's performance is strong, but 1st Source Corporation (SRCE) is also a notable peer with a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and a Value Score of B [9] - SRCE is expected to post earnings of $6.69 per share on revenues of $461 million for the current fiscal year, with shares gaining 9.9% over the past month [10] - The Banks - Midwest industry is positioned in the top 17% of all industries, indicating favorable conditions for both UMBF and SRCE [11]

Core Viewpoint - 1st Source (SRCE) has shown strong stock performance, with an 8% increase over the past month and a new 52-week high of $69.57, outperforming the Zacks Finance sector and the Zacks Banks - Midwest industry [1] Financial Performance - The company has a consistent record of positive earnings surprises, having met or exceeded earnings consensus estimates in the last four quarters, with the latest EPS reported at $1.67 against a consensus of $1.62 [2] - For the current fiscal year, 1st Source is projected to achieve earnings of $6.69 per share on revenues of $461 million, reflecting a 4.37% increase in EPS and a 6.28% increase in revenues [3] - The next fiscal year forecasts earnings of $6.88 per share on revenues of $477.9 million, indicating year-over-year changes of 2.84% in EPS and 3.67% in revenues [3] Valuation Metrics - The stock currently trades at 10.3X current fiscal year EPS estimates, aligning with the peer industry average, and at 11.2X on a trailing cash flow basis, also matching the peer group's average [7] - 1st Source has a Value Score of B, a Growth Score of D, and a Momentum Score of A, resulting in a combined VGM Score of B [6] Zacks Rank - The stock holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), supported by a favorable earnings estimate revision trend, indicating potential for further gains [8]

Core Viewpoint - Momentum investing focuses on following a stock's recent price trends, aiming to buy high and sell higher, with the expectation that established trends will continue [1] Company Overview: Wintrust Financial (WTFC) - WTFC currently holds a Momentum Style Score of A, indicating strong momentum characteristics [2] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), suggesting it is positioned for potential outperformance [3] Performance Metrics - WTFC shares have increased by 1.03% over the past week, while the Zacks Banks - Midwest industry has risen by 1.85% during the same period [5] - Over the past month, WTFC's price change is 2.96%, compared to the industry's 6.59% [5] - In the last quarter, WTFC shares rose by 13.75%, and over the past year, they gained 17.65%, outperforming the S&P 500, which increased by 2.29% and 16.86%, respectively [6] Trading Volume - The average 20-day trading volume for WTFC is 485,379 shares, which serves as a baseline for price-to-volume analysis [7] Earnings Outlook - In the past two months, four earnings estimates for WTFC have been revised upwards, while none have been lowered, leading to an increase in the consensus estimate from $11.85 to $12.35 [9] - For the next fiscal year, two estimates have also moved upwards with no downward revisions [9] Conclusion - Given the strong performance metrics and positive earnings outlook, WTFC is identified as a 2 (Buy) stock with a Momentum Score of A, making it a promising candidate for near-term investment [11]

Core Insights - First Business Financial Services (FBIZ) reported quarterly earnings of $1.58 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.38 per share, and up from $1.43 per share a year ago [1] - The earnings surprise for this quarter was +14.70%, and the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times over the last four quarters [2] Financial Performance - The company posted revenues of $42.22 million for the quarter ended December 2025, which was 1.19% below the Zacks Consensus Estimate, compared to $41.15 million in the same quarter last year [3] - Over the last four quarters, First Business Financial Services has topped consensus revenue estimates two times [3] Stock Performance - Shares of First Business Financial Services have increased by approximately 2.1% since the beginning of the year, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 1.9% [4] - The current Zacks Rank for the stock is 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the market in the near future [7] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $1.34 on revenues of $42.93 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $5.99 on revenues of $181.2 million [8] - The estimate revisions trend for the company was mixed ahead of the earnings release, which may change following the recent report [7] Industry Context - The Banks - Midwest industry, to which First Business Financial Services belongs, is currently in the top 26% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook compared to lower-ranked industries [9]

分组1 - First Interstate BancSystem (FIBK) reported quarterly earnings of $1.08 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.64 per share, and up from $0.5 per share a year ago, indicating strong performance [1] - The earnings surprise for the quarter was +68.75%, and the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times in the last four quarters [2] - The company posted revenues of $314.3 million for the quarter, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 26.84%, compared to $261.3 million in the same quarter last year [3] 分组2 - The stock has gained approximately 6.5% since the beginning of the year, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 1.9% [4] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.58 on revenues of $242.9 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $2.65 on $1.01 billion in revenues [8] - The Zacks Industry Rank for Banks - Midwest is in the top 36% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating a favorable outlook for the industry [9]

分组1 - First Financial Bancorp (FFBC) reported quarterly earnings of $0.8 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.78 per share, and up from $0.71 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of +2.56% [1] - The company posted revenues of $239.99 million for the quarter ended December 2025, which was below the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.35%, compared to $225.53 million in the same quarter last year [2] - First Financial shares have increased approximately 9.1% since the beginning of the year, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 1.9% [3] 分组2 - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.73 on revenues of $251 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $3.17 on revenues of $1.06 billion [7] - The Zacks Industry Rank for Banks - Midwest is in the top 36% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating a favorable outlook for the industry [8] - First Financial Corp. (THFF), another company in the same industry, is expected to report quarterly earnings of $1.71 per share, reflecting a year-over-year change of +24.8% [9]