BofA: Investors pour into bonds, pull back from crypto
On Friday, Piper Sandler initiated coverage on Home Bancorp , Inc. (NASDAQ:HBCP) with an Overweight rating and set a price target of $60.00, representing a significant upside from the current price of $48.72. According to InvestingPro data, analysts maintain a moderate buy consensus with price targets ranging from $50 to $55. The firm’s analysis indicates that Home Bancorp has been undervalued compared to its peers and the broader bank index over the past year. This undervaluation is expected to diminish as the company’s profitability and credit stability are taken into account, along with its potential for expansion into Texas.
Home Bancorp’s current trading price reflects a roughly four times price-to-earnings (P/E) discount to the median P/E of its peers based on this year’s earnings, with a current P/E ratio of 10.7x. InvestingPro analysis shows the company maintains a "GOOD" overall financial health score of 2.54 out of 3. Despite this discount, Home Bancorp maintains strong profitability with a return on assets (ROA) of 1.07% compared to the 0.80% average of its peers. Piper Sandler acknowledges that the bank’s limited year-over-year earnings per share (EPS) growth might restrict the multiple expansion to some extent.
Nevertheless, Piper Sandler justifies a 12 times P/E ratio based on its 2026 earnings estimate for Home Bancorp, given the company’s higher profitability relative to its peers, a stable balance sheet, and well-managed credit risk. Notable strengths include a consistent dividend track record, with InvestingPro data showing 11 consecutive years of dividend increases and a current yield of 2.22%. Discover more exclusive insights and 6 additional ProTips with an InvestingPro subscription. The $60 price target is predicated on the expectation that Home Bancorp’s shares will trade at approximately 12 times the firm’s projected 2026 EPS within the next 12 months.
This new coverage and price target by Piper Sandler suggest a positive outlook for Home Bancorp’s stock performance in the coming year, building on its impressive 34.81% total return over the past 12 months. The firm’s analysis points to the bank’s solid fundamentals and the opportunity for narrowing the valuation gap compared to its competitors. Access the comprehensive Pro Research Report, available exclusively on InvestingPro, for deeper insights into Home Bancorp’s valuation and growth prospects.
In other recent news, Home Bancorp Inc. reported fourth-quarter 2024 earnings that exceeded market expectations. The company achieved an earnings per share (EPS) of $1.21, surpassing the forecasted $1.11, while revenue reached $35.22 million, outpacing the anticipated $34 million. This strong financial performance was driven by a robust net interest margin and significant loan growth of 7.5% for the quarter. Home Bancorp’s net income for the period was $9.7 million, with deposits increasing by 4.1% in 2024. Analysts from Raymond (NSE:RYMD) James expressed interest in the company’s future net interest margin expansion, with Home Bancorp indicating confidence in continued growth. The company also plans to open a new branch in Northwest Houston by late 2025 as part of its strategic expansion efforts. Non-interest expenses are expected to rise by 3.5% in 2025, primarily due to increases in compensation and technology-related costs.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.