Keefe, Bruyette & Woods has downgraded Pinnacle Financial Partners (NASDAQ: PNFP) to Market Perform from Outperform on valuation, despite being positive on the
bank’s fundamentals after a strong third quarter.
“While it is hard to downgrade the shares of what we believe is one of the best-managed banks in the nation, we think the
valuation is currently rich at 16.2x 2017,” analyst Jefferson Harralson wrote in a note.
Pinnacle Financial reported an operating EPS of $0.78, up $0.01 above KBW estimate. However, Bankers Healthcare Group (BHG)
contributed less in the quarter as it added only $0.12 per share versus KBW’s $0.16 per share estimate.
The analyst noted that the bank grows core earnings at a rate of more than 12 percent and sees 15 percent and 20 percent EPS
accretion in 2016 and 2017. In addition, the bank’s recent M&A would help it grow in the attractive markets of Chattanooga and
Memphis.
Related Link: Hilliard
Lyons Downgrades Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc.
As such, the analyst upped his 2016 EPS estimate by $0.01 to $3.04. However, he trimmed his 2017 and 2018 EPS estimates to $3.32
and $3.78 from $3.37 and $3.82, respectively, on expected lower fee contribution from BHG.
“Given PNFP's success and propensity for accretive deals, the valuation may well stay rich but we believe some headwinds exist
(such as accretable yield that is 7 percent of earnings) and that PNFP shares may well just trade with the group,” Harralson
added.
That said, Harralson maintained his price target at $55, implying 14.6x his 2018 EPS estimate and 2.8x TBV.
Shares of Pinnacle Financial closed Wednesday’s trading at $53.63 and at last check Thursday were down 0.88 percent at
$53.16.
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Latest Ratings for PNFP
Date |
Firm |
Action |
From |
To |
Oct 2016 |
Hilliard Lyons |
Downgrades |
Long-Term Buy |
Neutral |
Oct 2016 |
Keefe Bruyette & Woods |
Downgrades |
Outperform |
Market Perform |
Sep 2016 |
Sandler O'Neill |
Downgrades |
Buy |
Hold |
View More Analyst Ratings for
PNFP
View the Latest Analyst Ratings
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