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On Tuesday, Piper Sandler confirmed its Overweight rating on Meta Financial (NASDAQ:CASH) with a steady price target of $91.00. The firm’s analysis anticipates Meta Financial to unveil a core EPS of $2.66 for the first quarter of 2025, which is slightly below the consensus estimate of $2.74. This period is traditionally robust for Meta Financial due to its tax refund advance and transfer operations. The bank, currently trading at an attractive P/E ratio of 11.8x and showing strong revenue growth of 9.6%, has also experienced significant expansion in its commercial finance portfolio at the year’s end, which is expected to bolster net interest income (NII) for the quarter. According to InvestingPro data, three analysts have recently revised their earnings expectations upward for the upcoming period, suggesting growing confidence in the company’s outlook.
The full-year operational forecast by Piper Sandler stands at $7.52, which is a slight decrease from the previous guidance range of $7.25 to $7.75, attributed to a lower interest rate environment. Despite this adjustment, the firm remains optimistic about Meta Financial’s performance, particularly in a scenario where interest rates remain elevated for an extended period. The company’s strong financial position is reflected in its "GREAT" overall health score on InvestingPro, which analyzes multiple financial metrics to assess company stability and growth potential.
Piper Sandler expressed confidence in Meta Financial’s future, noting robust pipelines that are likely to yield results, especially in 2026. Consequently, the firm has made a minor upward revision to its estimate for that year. The $91 price target is now based on a forward-looking FY26E earnings per share (EPS) multiple of approximately 11 times, as Piper Sandler updates its valuation approach.
The report also cautions investors about potential risks that could impact Meta Financial’s stock value. These risks include possible disruptions in the bank’s tax-related business, new regulatory changes that might adversely affect the prepaid card industry, credit challenges within the commercial finance sector, and the possibility of generally lower bank stock valuations.
In other recent news, Pathward Financial reported strong financial results in its latest earnings call, showcasing a 12.3% year-over-year increase in total sales to €2,900 million. The company also achieved a 45.1% rise in earnings per share, reaching €0.06. The Asia Pacific region marked a significant milestone by turning profitable for the first time. Additionally, Pathward Financial declared a quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share for its second fiscal quarter of 2025. This decision reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to returning value to its shareholders. Analysts have noted the company’s strategic expansion into key markets, which has bolstered its performance. Pathward Financial’s transformation products now account for 32.2% of total sales, highlighting their growing importance to the company’s overall strategy. The company anticipates continued growth in 2025, focusing on debt reduction and further investment in transformation solutions.
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