Earnings Beat Fails to Drive Old National Shares - Analyst Blog
Benzinga 12 years ago
Shares of Old National Bancorp. (NYSE: ONB) remained almost muted despite the company beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the first quarter by a penny. The company came out with earnings of 26 cents per share compared with 24 cents earned in the year-ago quarter.
Lower provisions for loan losses, decline in operating expenses, steady capital and profitability ratios as well as improved credit quality were the positives for the quarter. However, lower-than-expected revenues were on the downside.
Net income for the quarter came in at $26.5 million, up 10.7% year over year.
Performance in Detail
Total revenue (fully taxable equivalent) was $128.0 million, down 1.0% from the prior-year quarter. It also missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $129.0 million.
Net interest income (taxable equivalent) came in at $87.4 million, up 5.4% year over year. Moreover, net interest margin (NYSE: NIM) increased 18 basis points from the prior-year quarter to 4.22%.
Fees, service charges and other revenues (excluding securities gain and derivative gains) were $39.9 million, down 11.9% from $45.3 million in the prior-year quarter.
Total operating expenses were $88.3 million, down 2.1% year over year. Moreover, the figure included merger and integration charge of $2.5 million.
Efficiency ratio decreased to 67.77% from 68.34% in the previous-year quarter. A decline in efficiency ratio indicates increase in profitability.
Credit Quality
Credit quality was strong in the quarter. Net charge-offs were $2.1 million, down from $2.4 million in the year-ago quarter. Excluding covered loans, allowance for loan losses as of Mar 31, 2014, was $41.5 million, down 12.3% year over year.
However, provision for loan losses for the quarter was $0.04 million, marking a significant year-over-year fall.
Capital and Profitability Ratios
Old National Bancorp's capital ratios were well above the required regulatory requirements. As of Mar 31, 2014, Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 14.8%. Total risk-based capital ratio was 15.7% and Tier 1 Leverage Capital Ratio was 9.3%.
The company's profitability ratios were strong during the quarter. Return on average assets rose to 1.12% from 1.01% in the prior-year quarter. As of Mar 31, 2014, return on average common equity ratio was 9.03%, up from 8.0% in the year-ago quarter.
Acquisitions
On Apr 25, 2014, Old National Bancorp completed the previously announced partnership with Fort Wayne, IN-based Tower Financial Corporation. The deal is valued approximately at $110.3 million.
On Jan 8, 2014, Old National Bancorp entered into a definitive merger agreement with United Bancorp, Inc., the Ann Arbor, MI-based financial service provider. The deal is expected to close by third-quarter 2014.
Our Viewpoint
Old National Bancorp's consistent capital deployment makes it an attractive pick for yield-seeking investors. Further, we expect the company's organic and inorganic growth strategies to boost bottom line going forward.
However, a low interest rate environment and tighter regulations will likely restrict the company's growth in the near term.
Currently, Old National Bancorp has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Performance of Other Midwest Banks
Commerce Bancshares, Inc.'s (NASDAQ: CBSH) first-quarter 2014 earnings per share of 67 cents missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. Lower-than-expected results were mainly due to higher operating expenses, partially offset by a slight rise in revenues.
Wintrust Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: WTFC) reported earnings per share of 68 cents for first-quarter 2014, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 66 cents.
Huntington Bancshares Incorporated's (NASDAQ: HBAN) first-quarter 2014 adjusted earnings per share of 19 cents outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 17 cents.
COMMERCE BANCSH (NASDAQ: CBSH): Free Stock Analysis Report
HUNTINGTON BANC (NASDAQ: HBAN): Free Stock Analysis Report
OLD NATL BCP (NYSE: ONB): Free Stock Analysis Report
WINTRUST FINL (NASDAQ: WTFC): Free Stock Analysis Report
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