Savings & Loan Stocks' Q2 Earnings Preview: BANR, FBC & More

Better-than-expected second-quarter results from some of the banking giants signal a better picture for the industry as a whole.

A number of issues including industry wide weakness and global concerns plagued the first quarter of this year, but the second quarter depicted a marginally better environment with positives including rebound in oil prices and continued recovery of the U.S. economy. However, banks continue to face revenue growth challenges amid the persistently low interest rate environment and heightened regulatory pressure. Further, the Brexit fallout fueled the concerns.

Per the latest Zacks Earnings Preview report, overall earnings for the Finance sector in second-quarter 2016 are expected to be down 0.4% year over year.

Let’s check how the following savings and loan companies, which are part of the broad Finance sector, are expected to perform when they report their second-quarter 2016 results on Jul 26.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Banner Corporation (NASDAQ:BANR) has remained steady over the last 30 days. The estimate of 72 cents indicates a year-over-year decline of 6.5%.

Moreover, the company holds Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) along with an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. Hence, the probability of an earnings beat this quarter is quite low.

Further, in spite of reporting a positive earnings surprise in two of the trailing four quarters, Banner posted a negative average earnings surprise of 5.3%.

Flagstar Bancorp Inc.’s (NYSE:FBC) Zacks Consensus Estimate has declined 7.8% over the past 30 days to 59 cents. This estimate depicts a 13.7% fall in earnings year over year.

Additionally, Flagstar Bancorp sports Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and an Earnings ESP of -18.64%. Thus, the possibility of reporting an earnings beat by the company is low.

However, the company has delivered positive earnings surprises in the trailing four quarters, with an average beat of 55.6%.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate of 37 cents for Flushing Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:FFIC) has remained constant over the past 30 days. The estimate reflects a growth of 2.8% in the company’s earnings year over year.

The company’s Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) and Earnings ESP of 0.00% make it difficult to conclusively predict an earnings beat for the quarter.

Nevertheless, the company boasts a decent earnings surprise history.

Riverview Bancorp Inc.’s (NASDAQ:RVSB) Zacks Consensus Estimate has remained stable over the last 30 days. Also, the estimate of 7 cents is in line with the prior-year quarter.

In addition, the company holds a Zacks Rank #3 along with an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. Hence, our quantitative model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat.

Riverview Bancorp posted an average beat of 3.8% in the trailing four quarters.