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On Tuesday, Piper Sandler, a financial services firm, increased its price target for First Business Financial (NASDAQ:FBIZ) shares to $63.00, up from the previous $58.00, while maintaining an Overweight rating on the stock. The stock, currently trading at $52.51, has shown impressive momentum with a 53% return over the past year. According to InvestingPro, the company has 12+ valuable insights available, including strong return metrics and dividend history. The adjustment follows a strong fourth quarter performance by the company, which saw a 19% pre-provision net revenue (PPNR) upside. This was attributed to higher net interest income (NII) due to greater net interest margin (NIM) expansion and high single-digit organic balance sheet growth. Additionally, the company experienced stronger core fee income and effective cost controls. InvestingPro data shows the company maintains a GREAT financial health score of 3.24, particularly excelling in price momentum and profitability metrics.
Piper Sandler’s analysts have reiterated their confidence in First Business Financial, citing the potential for further price-to-earnings (P/E) expansion due to the firm’s superior PPNR growth and a positive credit outlook. These factors are expected to contribute to above-average earnings per share (EPS) and tangible book value (TBV) growth in the years 2025 and 2026.
The firm’s comprehensive business model and carefully balanced match-funded balance sheet strategy are believed to support a more resilient NIM throughout economic cycles. In light of these factors, Piper Sandler has raised its EPS estimates for 2025 and 2026 by 3%, to $5.45 and $6.15, respectively.
The new price target of $63 represents an increase of $5 and is based on an 11.5 times multiple of the firm’s projected 2025 earnings per share, which is an increase of 1.0 times from the previous multiple, reflecting higher peer multiples. Currently trading at a P/E ratio of 9.89x and maintaining a 21-year dividend payment streak, the stock appears undervalued according to InvestingPro’s Fair Value model. This valuation is largely in line with peers, who are trading at around 11.1 times earnings. The analysts have balanced the positive aspects of First Business Financial’s operating leverage and profitability outlook with the less favorable optics of its funding mix.
In other recent news, First Business Financial Services has garnered attention from financial research firms DA Davidson and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods. Both firms have increased their price targets for the company to $60, with DA Davidson previously having a target of $57 and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increasing theirs from $58. Both firms maintain a positive outlook on the company’s stock, with DA Davidson reiterating a Buy rating and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods keeping an Outperform rating.
First Business Financial Services has recently reported earnings per share of $1.43, surpassing projected figures due to increased revenues. The company’s revenue growth over the last twelve months was 6.57%, a result of robust operational execution and gains from Small Business Administration loan sales, which boosted fee income.
DA Davidson’s confidence in First Business Financial Services is grounded in the company’s potential for core growth and operating efficiency. The firm also noted the company’s consistent financial strength, as evidenced by maintaining dividend payments for 20 consecutive years. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods analyst DelMonte has expressed optimism about the company’s direction, citing a stable core margin and a target for 10% loan growth.
In their reports, both firms have made positive adjustments to their earnings estimates for First Business Financial Services for the coming years. DA Davidson analysts forecast an EPS of $5.52 for fiscal year 2025, while Keefe, Bruyette & Woods have revised their earnings estimates upward by 2% and 4% for 2025 and 2026 respectively. These recent developments highlight the financial research firms’ confidence in First Business Financial Services’ continued strong performance.
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