Piper Sandler has maintained a Neutral rating on Cadence Bancorp (NYSE: CADE) with a steady price target of $34.00.
The firm's analysis highlighted that Cadence Bancorp's core earnings per share (EPS) of $0.74 surpassed both Piper Sandler's estimate and the consensus, largely due to a provision expense that was lower than expected by $0.11.
This reduction in provision expenses was attributed to slightly lower net charge-offs (NCOs) and the utilization of existing specific reserves.
Cadence Bancorp's pre-provision net revenue (PPNR) exceeded Piper Sandler's projections by approximately 2.5%, or $0.02. The bank's net interest margin (NIM) saw an increase of 4 basis points, reaching 3.31%, which was supported by a relatively stable cost of deposits and an increase in loan yields. However, average earning assets (AEA) experienced a decline of roughly 2.8% from the last quarter, contrary to the modest growth that had been anticipated.
The report also noted a mixed credit trend, with non-performing loans (NPLs) increasing by 17 basis points from the previous quarter to 0.81% of loans. Meanwhile, NCOs decreased by 2 basis points to 0.26%, and loan loss reserves (LLRs) saw a reduction of 3 basis points, settling at 1.38%.
In other recent news, Cadence Bank announced its Q3 earnings, which surpassed analyst expectations. The regional lender reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.73, beating the consensus estimate of $0.64. However, its revenue of $447.4 million fell slightly short of the projected $450.97 million.
The bank's net interest income rose to $361.5 million in Q3, up from $356.3 million in Q2, aided by higher interest rates. The net interest margin also improved, reaching 3.31% compared to the previous quarter's 3.27%.
In addition, Cadence Bank's total deposits saw a significant increase in Q3, growing by $985.7 million to reach $38.8 billion. The bank also noted stable credit quality metrics, with net charge-offs of 0.26% of average loans, a slight decrease from Q2's 0.28%.
InvestingPro Insights
Cadence Bancorp's recent performance, as highlighted by Piper Sandler, aligns with several key metrics and insights from InvestingPro. The bank's solid earnings report is reflected in InvestingPro data, which shows a P/E ratio of 9.93, indicating that the stock may be undervalued relative to its earnings. This is particularly interesting given that Cadence has maintained dividend payments for 40 consecutive years and has raised its dividend for 11 consecutive years, according to InvestingPro Tips.
The bank's profitability, as mentioned in the article, is further supported by InvestingPro data showing an operating income margin of 15.98% for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024. Additionally, the dividend yield of 3.08% and a dividend growth rate of 6.38% over the same period underscore the bank's commitment to shareholder returns, which aligns with the InvestingPro Tip highlighting Cadence's high shareholder yield.
While the article notes mixed credit trends, investors might find comfort in the InvestingPro Tip stating that net income is expected to grow this year. This positive outlook, combined with the bank's strong dividend history and current valuation, could provide a more comprehensive picture for investors considering Cadence Bancorp's stock.
For readers interested in a deeper analysis, InvestingPro offers 7 additional tips for Cadence Bancorp, providing a more thorough understanding of the company's financial health and market position.
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