The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: First Financial, Hancock Holding, Heartland Financial, Lakeland Financial And Webster Financial

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – December 26, 2017 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include First Financial Bancorp. (NASDAQ:FFBC) , Hancock Holding Company (NASDAQ:HBHC) , Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLF) , Lakeland Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:LKFN) and Webster Financial Corporation (NYSE:WBS) .

Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:

2018 Could Be Prosperous for Bank Investors: 5 Stock Picks

The overall market performance has been great in 2017. With gradual improvement in the U.S. economy, rising rate environment, potential benefits from lower tax rates and growing investor optimism regarding reduced regulations, the banking industry has emerged as one of the best performers this year.

Although bank stocks did not gain much in the first few months of the year, the S&P Regional Banks Select Industry Index and the KBW Nasdaq Bank Index have gained nearly 8.4% and 17.8%, respectively, so far this year.

Why the Rally Will Likely Continue in 2018

Higher interest rates: The Fed has plans of increasing interest rates thrice in 2018. While this alone has the potential to drive the markets, anticipated higher inflation may lead the central bank to move the interest rate higher at a faster pace, as economic growth improves further. Higher rates help banks in expanding their net interest margins, which drives revenue growth. Even if the interest rate increases take place at the expected pace, it will further strengthen financial performance of banks.

Reduced tax burden: The passage of the amended tax bill by the Senate will likely drive bank stocks’ earnings in 2018. While the reduction in corporate tax rates from 35% to 21% will have a positive impact on all the sectors, it is likely to benefit banks the most as they are among the highest tax payers in the United States. Although the news has already given a boost to investor confidence, the benefit of the same is expected to be witnessed next year.

Also, driven by the tax legislation provisions related to repatriation of overseas cash, mergers and acquisitions are likely to increase in the United States, which will boost banks’ investment banking income. Also, since the tax bill will lower tax rates for the rich, the wealth management divisions of banks will likely witness an increase in cash flow.

Although lower taxes will reduce the tax deductible expenses for banks that will likely weigh on their profitability, the overall impact of the tax bill is projected to be a positive.

Lesser regulations: Banks have been burdened with stringent regulations following the 2008 financial crisis. This has led to significant rise in compliance costs for banks. Notably, reduction in stringent regulations is expected to be implemented soon as part of President Donald Trump’s election promise. Though no time frame has been outlined for execution, the announcement of a bipartisan agreement has helped investors regain confidence.

Per the agreement, there is likely to be a reduction in the number of banks labeled as systemically important financial institutions (SIFI). The banks, which will be removed from this group, will no longer have to abide by the stricter regulatory requirements that come along with the tag. This will thereby help banks in reducing regulatory compliance costs and is expected to lead to a wave of M&As for the banking industry.

Improving economy: The Fed has projected economic growth of 2.5% for 2018 (up from the prior guidance of 2.1%). A slew of favorable data including continued strengthening of the labor market, increase in household spending, lower unemployment rate and rise in business activities will support growth in 2018. Improving economy will spur a rise in lending activities and thus banks will benefit from the same.

Choosing the Winning Stocks

The entire banking industry is likely to benefit from the favorable factors. So, it is not an easy task to find the potential winners.

Hence, we have taken the help of the Zacks Investment Research

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Written By: Zacks Investment Research