Many small-cap stocks have limited Wall Street coverage, giving savvy investors the chance to act before everyone else catches on. But the flip side is that these businesses have increased downside risk because they lack the scale and staying power of their larger competitors. These trade-offs can cause headaches for even the most seasoned professionals, which is why we started StockStory - to help you separate the good companies from the bad. That said, here are two small-cap stocks that could be the nex ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported GAAP earnings per share of $1.04, an increase of $0.21 or 25.3% year-over-year and a $0.07 or 7.2% increase from the previous quarter [8][9] - Operating earnings per share reached $1.09, compared to $0.88 a year prior and $1.04 in the linked second quarter [8] - Total operating revenues were $206.8 million, marking a record high for the company [8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The pre-tax tangible returns for the quarter were 63% for insurance services, 62% for employee benefit services, 48% for wealth management services, and 25% for banking and corporate [5][6] - Net interest income was $128.2 million, a $3.4 million or 2.7% increase from the previous quarter and a $15.4 million or 13.7% increase year-over-year [9] - Operating non-interest revenues represented 38% of total operating revenues, reflecting growth across all business lines [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Ending loans increased by $231.1 million or 2.2% during the quarter and $498.6 million or 4.9% year-over-year [12] - Total deposits increased by $580.7 million or 4.3% from one year prior and $355.1 million or 2.6% from the previous quarter [12][13] - The company's liquidity position remains strong with readily available sources of liquidity totaling $6.6 billion, which is 240% of estimated uninsured deposits [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is making a $100 million investment in facilities, talent, and technology across all businesses to drive growth [3] - The acquisition of seven Santander branches is expected to enhance the retail strategy in the banking services business [17] - A minority investment in Leap Holdings, Inc. is intended to complement the insurance services business [17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about continued growth, particularly in insurance and wealth management services [6][7] - The company anticipates a strong fourth quarter with a loan growth guidance of 4%-5% for the year [36] - The effective tax rate increased to 24.7% due to higher state income taxes, but overall capital ratios remain strong [12][15] Other Important Information - The company recorded a provision for credit losses of $5.6 million, down from $7.7 million in the prior year's third quarter [10] - Non-performing loans totaled $56.1 million, representing 52 basis points of total loans outstanding, a decrease from the previous year [15][16] Q&A Session Summary Question: On the minority investment into Leap - Management views the investment as a step towards potential larger investments in the future, with a financial impact expected to be roughly neutral for 2026 [22][23] Question: On deposit costs and legacy footprint - No dramatic difference in deposit costs was observed between legacy and de novo markets, with expectations for overall deposit costs to trend down [25] Question: On loan growth and competition - Management remains optimistic about loan growth, with the commercial pipeline at its highest level ever and expectations for continued market share gains [36] Question: On margin outlook with Santander deposits - The blended margin is expected to remain in the 3%-5% range, with costs likely decreasing further [39] Question: On employee benefit services growth - Seasonality is expected in Q4 due to recent acquisitions, but overall performance is anticipated to be better than Q3 [44] Question: On investment portfolio yields - The investment portfolio yield has decreased, but cash flows from treasury maturities are expected to provide opportunities for redeployment into loans [48][49]

Core Insights - Community Financial System, Inc. reported its third quarter 2025 results, which are available on the company's investor relations website [1] - A conference call to discuss the third quarter results is scheduled for October 21, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (ET) [2] Company Overview - Community Financial System, Inc. is a diversified financial services company with four main business lines: banking services, employee benefit services, insurance services, and wealth management services [3] - The company's banking subsidiary, Community Bank, N.A., has over $16 billion in assets and operates approximately 200 customer facilities across several states [3] - The company also includes subsidiaries that provide employee benefits administration, insurance services, and comprehensive financial planning [3]

Core Viewpoint - Community Financial System, Inc. will host a conference call to discuss its financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2025, scheduled for July 22, 2025 [1][2]. Group 1: Conference Call Details - The conference call will take place on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time [2]. - Dial-in numbers for the call include 1-833-630-0464 for U.S. participants and 1-412-317-1809 for international participants [2]. - A webcast of the call will be available at https://app.webinar.net/n7jl8918GAN, with management's prepared remarks lasting approximately 15 minutes, followed by a Q&A session [2]. Group 2: Financial Results Release - The financial results for the second quarter will be released prior to market open on July 22, 2025, and will be accessible in the 'News' section of the Company's website [3]. - A replay of the webcast will be available on the website for one year at no cost [3]. Group 3: Company Overview - Community Financial System, Inc. is a diversified financial services company with four main business lines: banking services, employee benefit services, insurance services, and wealth management services [4]. - The banking subsidiary, Community Bank, N.A., has over $16 billion in assets and operates approximately 200 customer facilities across several states [4]. - The Company also includes subsidiaries that provide employee benefits administration, insurance services, and comprehensive financial planning [4].