LEXINGTON, S.C. - First Community (NASDAQ:FCCO) Corporation (NASDAQ:FCCO), the holding company for First Community Bank, has reported a significant increase in net income and earnings per share (EPS) for the second quarter of 2024.
The bank announced a net income of $3.265 million for the quarter, marking a 25.7% rise from the first quarter of 2024, and a cumulative income of $5.862 million through June 30, 2024. Diluted EPS also grew to $0.42, a 23.5% increase from the previous quarter.
The company's net interest margin expanded by 14 basis points to 2.93% in the second quarter compared to the first quarter of 2024. Total loans showed an annualized growth rate of 11.1%, with a $31.9 million increase during the quarter. The bank's total deposits reached $1.605 billion, with customer deposits growing by $44.1 million, representing an 11.7% annualized growth rate.
Assets under management (AUM) hit a record $865.6 million at the end of the second quarter, a 14.6% year-to-date increase. The mortgage line of business also saw its highest quarterly production since 2020, totaling $49.0 million.
Credit quality remained strong, with net charge-offs, including overdrafts, of just $5 thousand and net loan recoveries of $1,000 during the quarter. The non-performing assets ratio stood at 0.04%, and past due loans were at 0.07% as of June 30, 2024.
The Board of Directors approved an increased cash dividend for the second quarter of 2024, marking the 90th consecutive quarter of cash dividends paid to shareholders. The dividend, set at $0.15 per share, will be payable on August 13, 2024, to shareholders of record as of July 30, 2024.
In terms of capital management, the company's Board of Directors has approved a plan to repurchase up to $7.1 million of its common stock, which represents approximately 5.3% of total shareholders' equity as of March 31, 2024. No shares have been repurchased under this plan as of the reporting date.
Regulatory capital ratios for the bank exceeded the well-capitalized minimum levels, with tangible book value per share increasing to $15.85 as of June 30, 2024.
This report is based on a press release statement from First Community Corporation.
In other recent news, First Community Corporation reported Q1 earnings with a net income of $2.597 million and diluted earnings per share at $0.34, marking a decrease from the previous year's figures. The company's total deposits grew to $1.578 billion, with customer deposits reaching $1.518 billion, reflecting a 15.0% annualized growth rate. In addition, total loans saw an increase of $23.3 million, an 8.3% annualized growth rate.
Investment advisory revenue was reported at $1.358 million, with assets under management hitting a record $832.9 million, up 10.3% from the end of the previous year. The company's Board of Directors approved a Q1 cash dividend of $0.14 per common share, maintaining its 89th consecutive quarter of cash dividends.
Credit quality metrics remained strong, with non-performing assets at a low 0.04% of total assets. Despite a challenging interest rate environment, First Community saw increases in total deposits, non-interest bearing deposits, and cash management and sweep accounts. Lastly, the company announced the closure of its banking office in downtown Augusta, Georgia, with anticipated annual cost savings of $327 thousand.
InvestingPro Insights
First Community Corporation (NASDAQ:FCCO) has recently shown a robust financial performance, as highlighted by their latest earnings report. To add further depth to this analysis, let's consider some key metrics and insights from InvestingPro.
InvestingPro Data for FCCO shows a market capitalization of approximately $149.6 million and a P/E ratio of 13.28, which adjusts to 13.75 when looking at the last twelve months as of Q1 2024. This valuation suggests that the market has a relatively modest expectation of the company's earnings growth. The dividend yield stands at 2.86%, which is particularly attractive for income-focused investors, especially considering the company's track record of maintaining dividend payments for 23 consecutive years.
An InvestingPro Tip worth noting is that three analysts have revised their earnings upwards for the upcoming period, signaling a positive outlook for the company's financial future. Moreover, First Community Corporation has experienced significant returns over the last week, month, and three months, with respective total price returns of 12.44%, 17.28%, and 23.98%. These figures indicate strong recent performance in the stock market, which may interest potential investors.
For readers looking to gain a deeper understanding of First Community Corporation's financial health and future prospects, InvestingPro offers numerous additional tips. There are currently 9 more InvestingPro Tips available for FCCO at https://www.investing.com/pro/FCCO.
To access these valuable insights, consider using the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription. This promotion not only provides financial analysis but also offers a comprehensive look at the company's potential trajectory.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.