Intel stock extends gains after report of possible U.S. government stake
Investing.com - Piper Sandler raised its price target on Nicolet Bankshares (NYSE:NIC) to $140.00 from $122.50 on Wednesday, while maintaining a Neutral rating on the stock. The bank, currently trading at an attractive P/E ratio of 14.2x and showing strong momentum with a 20.87% year-to-date return, appears slightly undervalued according to InvestingPro’s Fair Value model.
The price target increase follows Nicolet Bankshares’ second-quarter results, which exceeded expectations primarily due to stronger net interest income (NII) that drove a 7% pre-provision net revenue upside. The bank achieved a 1.6% return on assets (ROA) and 18% return on tangible common equity (ROTCE) in the second quarter. InvestingPro data reveals the bank maintains a "GREAT" overall Financial Health Score of 3.09, with particularly strong marks in profit and price momentum metrics. Discover 5 more exclusive ProTips and detailed financial metrics with an InvestingPro subscription.
Piper Sandler raised its 2025 and 2026 earnings per share estimates by 6%-7% to $9.10 and $9.35, respectively, reflecting higher net interest margin expectations. The new price target represents 15.0x the firm’s 2026 earnings estimate, up from the previous multiple.
The research firm noted that long-term shareholders will likely remain rewarded owning this "high-quality institution" as returns above 1.5% on assets and mid-teens returns on tangible common equity are expected to continue. This outlook is supported by low-to-mid-single-digit organic loan and core deposit growth, further net interest margin expansion, solid efficiencies, and benign credit conditions.
While near-term merger and acquisition prospects remain limited, Piper Sandler views Nicolet Bankshares as "among the best positioned to eventually cross $10B in assets via acquisition(s)," though the firm maintains its Neutral stance based on the stock’s "deserved premium valuation."
In other recent news, Nicolet Bankshares has announced an increase in its quarterly cash dividend to $0.32 per share, marking a 14% rise from the previous dividend. This increase is scheduled for payment on June 13, 2025, to shareholders on record as of June 2, 2025. The move reflects Nicolet’s commitment to providing value to its shareholders and indicates confidence in its financial stability. Additionally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods analyst Damon Del Monte raised the price target for Nicolet Bankshares to $118 from $115, maintaining a Market Perform rating. This decision followed Nicolet’s report of operating earnings of $2.10 per share, which surpassed analysts’ expectations. The strong financial performance was attributed to robust loan growth and a consistent margin, resulting in increased net interest income. Del Monte noted the bank’s solid loan growth and stable credit quality, anticipating continued strong performance. Based on these observations, the analyst adjusted the price target to reflect the bank’s consistent achievements.
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