On Tuesday, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods adjusted its stock price target for Sierra Bancorp (NASDAQ:BSRR), the holding company for Bank of the Sierra, reducing it to $23 from the previous $24. The firm maintained a Market Perform rating on the stock, traded under NASDAQ:BSRR.
Sierra Bancorp reported first-quarter results for 2024 that were slightly above the firm's expectations but did not meet the consensus. The company saw a notable expansion in its net interest margin (NIM), which increased by 31 basis points from the previous quarter to 3.62%.
This improvement was attributed to the bank's recent balance sheet restructuring efforts. Analysts expect the NIM to continue its upward trajectory, reaching the high 3.60% range in the second quarter of 2024.
Despite the overall loan growth of 13% from the last quarter on an annualized basis, Sierra Bancorp experienced a contraction in non-warehouse loans, which decreased by 4% over the same period. Moreover, nonperforming assets (NPAs) saw a slight increase, primarily due to one troubled dairy real estate secured credit.
In terms of shareholder returns, Sierra Bancorp repurchased 1.2% of its outstanding shares during the first quarter of 2024. The firm has decided to maintain its earnings estimates for Sierra Bancorp for both 2024 and 2025 at $2.43 and $2.51, respectively. The adjustment in the stock price target to $23 reflects the minor rise in NPAs while the stock's rating remains unchanged at Market Perform.
InvestingPro Insights
As we examine the financial health and performance of Sierra Bancorp, InvestingPro data offers a snapshot of the company's current standing. With a market capitalization of $272.78 million and a P/E ratio of 7.75, Sierra Bancorp appears to be valued conservatively in the market. This is further substantiated by a P/E ratio of 7.67 over the last twelve months as of Q1 2024, suggesting a steady valuation over time.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that Sierra Bancorp is trading at a high P/E ratio relative to near-term earnings growth, with a PEG ratio of 1.46, indicating that investors are paying a premium for anticipated growth.
Moreover, the company has maintained dividend payments for 29 consecutive years, which may appeal to income-focused investors, especially considering the current dividend yield of 4.86%. Still, it is noted that the company suffers from weak gross profit margins, an aspect that investors should watch closely.
For those interested in a deeper dive into Sierra Bancorp's financials and future outlook, InvestingPro offers additional insights and tips. By using the coupon code PRONEWS24, readers can receive an extra 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription, unlocking further analysis that could be critical to making informed investment decisions.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.