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Tuesday, Jefferies began coverage on Banc of California shares (NYSE:BANC), assigning a Buy rating and setting a price target of $18.00, adding to the consensus among analysts who see upside potential. According to InvestingPro data, analyst targets range from $15 to $20, with the stock currently trading at $14.31. The firm’s analyst cited the successful integration of the recent merger with PacWest as a key driver for the favorable rating.
The analyst’s perspective is founded on the forecast for Banc of California’s earnings per share (EPS) to grow at an above-average rate compared to its peers. The expected growth rates are 53% for 2025, 38% for 2026, and 15% for 2027, significantly outpacing the peer median growth rates of 10%, 13%, and 9% for the same years, respectively. This growth potential appears particularly compelling given the bank’s current P/E ratio of 21.9x and notably low PEG ratio of 0.19, according to InvestingPro metrics.
The integration with PacWest, which is now complete, has paved the way for this optimistic outlook. The analyst also highlighted Banc of California’s strong non-interest bearing (NIB) deposit base, which accounted for 28% of total deposits as of the first quarter of 2025.
Another factor contributing to the positive assessment is the opportunity for net interest margin (NIM) expansion. In addition to the NIM prospects, an improving efficiency ratio over time is anticipated to bolster the bank’s financial performance.
Lastly, the valuation of Banc of California was noted as attractive due to its price-to-earnings (P/E) discount based on the projected EPS for 2026. The current price target reflects these combined factors, suggesting a positive trajectory for the bank’s stock in the eyes of Jefferies. InvestingPro analysis indicates the stock is currently undervalued, with additional insights available in the comprehensive Pro Research Report, part of the extensive analysis covering over 1,400 US stocks on InvestingPro.
In other recent news, Banc of California reported its first-quarter 2025 earnings, surpassing analysts’ expectations with an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.26, compared to the forecasted $0.23. However, the company’s revenue fell short of projections, reaching $266 million against the anticipated $272.5 million. The bank also announced a significant $300 million share buyback program, reflecting its strategic focus on capital management. Additionally, Banc of California reported a 6% annualized growth in its loan portfolio, highlighting its ongoing expansion efforts. In terms of corporate governance, the company held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders, where all twelve director nominees were successfully elected, and Jared M. Wolff, the current CEO, was appointed as chair of the board. Ernst & Young LLP was ratified as the company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. Furthermore, stockholders approved the executive compensation package, indicating strong support for the current leadership. These developments underscore Banc of California’s commitment to maintaining robust financial performance and effective corporate governance.
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