Nicolet Bankshares has followed the market’s trajectory closely, rising in tandem with the S&P 500 over the past six months. The stock has climbed by 13.8% to $142.53 per share while the index has gained 10%.
Is now a good time to buy NIC? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.
Why Are We Positive On NIC?
Starting as Green Bay Financial Corporation in 2000 before rebranding in 2002, Nicolet Bankshares (NYSE: NIC) is a regional bank holding company that provides commercial, agricultural, and consumer banking services primarily in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota.
1. Net Interest Income Skyrockets, Fueling Growth Opportunities
Our experience and research show the market cares primarily about a bank’s net interest income growth as one-time fees are considered a lower-quality and non-recurring revenue source.
Nicolet Bankshares’s net interest income has grown at a 21.9% annualized rate over the last five years, much better than the broader banking industry and faster than its total revenue.
2. Increasing Net Interest Margin Juices Financials
The net interest margin (NIM) is a key profitability indicator that measures the difference between what a bank earns on its loans and what it pays on its deposits. This metric measures how efficiently one can generate income from its core lending activities.
Over the past two years, Nicolet Bankshares’s net interest margin averaged 3.6%, climbing by 65 basis points (100 basis points = 1 percentage point) over that period.
This expansion was a tailwind for its net interest income, and while prevailing interest rates matter the most for industry net interest margins, banks that consistently increase this figure generally boast higher-earning loan books (all else equal such as the risk of those loans) or provide differentiated services that give them the ability to charge higher rates (pricing power).
3. Growing TBVPS Reflects Strong Asset Base
In the banking industry, tangible book value per share (TBVPS) provides the clearest picture of shareholder value, as it focuses on concrete assets while excluding intangible items that may not hold value during challenging times.
Nicolet Bankshares’s TBVPS increased by 10.2% annually over the last five years, and growth has recently accelerated as TBVPS grew at an excellent 17% annual clip over the past two years (from $43.28 to $59.21 per share).
Final Judgment
These are just a few reasons why we think Nicolet Bankshares is a high-quality business, but at $142.53 per share (or 1.3× forward P/B), is now the right time to buy the stock? See for yourself in our comprehensive research report, it’s free.
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