DA Davidson, on Wednesday, adjusted its outlook on Sandy Spring Bancorp (NASDAQ: NASDAQ:SASR), increasing the price target from $23.00 to $33.00 while maintaining a Neutral rating. The adjustment follows Sandy Spring Bancorp's recent performance which included a net interest margin (NIM) expansion and growth in loans and deposits.
The company's pre-provision net revenue (PPNR) surpassed consensus expectations, supported by stronger fee revenue which helped offset weaker operating expenses and net interest income (NII).
Sandy Spring Bancorp reported a quarter-over-quarter NIM increase of 5 basis points, a 4% growth in loans, and a robust 10% rise in core deposit growth, with net charge-offs (NCOs) remaining below 1 basis point.
Shares of Sandy Spring Bancorp had already seen a 26.5% increase compared to the KBW Regional Banking Index (KRX) prior to the release of first-quarter 2024 earnings and climbed an additional 3% following the news of NIM expansion.
The bank anticipated that the first quarter of 2024 would represent the lowest point for NII/NIM, with improvements expected in the second half of the year. The anticipated growth is attributed to favorable funding trends, continued loan growth, and mid-to-high single-digit deposit growth, which could be further accelerated by potential rate cuts.
Despite these positive trends, DA Davidson has revised its 2025 estimates downward due to anticipated higher operating expenses. However, the firm projects that Sandy Spring Bancorp's NIM could exceed 3%, and its return on assets (ROA) could surpass 1% late in 2025. The timing of achieving a 1%+ ROA is a factor in DA Davidson's decision to maintain a Neutral stance on the stock.
Meanwhile, Sandy Spring Bancorp has reported notable developments in its Q2 performance. The company posted a net income of $22.8 million, marking an increase from Q1's net income of $20.4 million, but a slight decrease from the same quarter of the previous year. Sandy Spring Bancorp highlighted growth in core deposits and commercial and industrial loans, along with an improved net interest margin of 2.46%.
Its total assets increased to $14 billion, indicating a solid performance in line with its strategic initiatives. The company also saw a 7% rise in non-interest income, driven by Bank-Owned Life Insurance (BOLI) and wealth management income. However, the level of nonperforming loans increased to 81 basis points.
Looking ahead, Sandy Spring Bancorp projected funded loan production to remain between $200 million to $250 million per quarter. The bank also anticipated a gradual improvement in loan yields as fixed-rate loans reprice in 2025 and 2026. The company's goal is to achieve a net interest margin of 3% or higher by the end of next year.
InvestingPro Insights
Following DA Davidson's revised outlook on Sandy Spring Bancorp (NASDAQ: SASR), insights from InvestingPro provide additional context to the bank's financial health and market performance. With a market capitalization of $1.39 billion and a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio that stands at 15.23 for the last twelve months as of Q1 2024, the bank reflects a stable valuation in the sector. Notably, Sandy Spring Bancorp has upheld dividend payments for 29 consecutive years, showcasing a commitment to shareholder returns, which is complemented by a current dividend yield of 4.37%.
InvestingPro Tips indicate that analysts have tempered their earnings expectations for the upcoming period, which aligns with DA Davidson's cautious stance. Additionally, the stock's recent performance indicates a strong return over the last three months, with a 47.13% price total return, signaling robust short-term investor confidence. However, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) suggests that the stock is currently in overbought territory, which could hint at a potential retraction or consolidation in the near future.
For investors seeking a deeper dive into Sandy Spring Bancorp's financials and market predictions, InvestingPro offers a range of additional tips. Utilize the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription, and access the full suite of insights, including 6 more tips that could help in making a more informed investment decision. Find these valuable tips at: https://www.investing.com/pro/SASR
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