On Thursday, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods adjusted its stock price target on shares of Peapack-Gladstone Financial (NASDAQ:PGC), lowering it to $29 from the former target of $30.50. The firm maintained its Outperform rating on the stock.
The adjustment comes as the financial institution recently expanded its commercial team, an action that is expected to increase expenses in the second quarter of the year. The move was anticipated and is part of the company's strategic growth plan.
The newly added commercial teams in April are projected to reach a break-even point by the second quarter of 2025. This development positions 2024 as a year of transition for Peapack-Gladstone, considering the initial surge in expenses.
Despite the near-term cost implications, the firm's analysts highlight the long-term benefits of this expansion, pointing out that the commercial teams are expected to contribute significantly to deposit growth, with a target of $4.0 billion by mid to late 2026.
This potential deposit growth is significant, representing 73% of the total deposits currently held by Peapack-Gladstone. Analysts at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods have adopted a conservative stance regarding the mid-2025 growth targets but still anticipate that the company's return on tangible common equity (ROTCE) will return to 9.4% by the end of the year.
The Outperform rating reflects the firm's optimism about Peapack-Gladstone's future performance. Analysts believe that the stock presents limited downside risk, trading at 75% of tangible book value, and considerable upside potential should the company meet its stated targets. The new $29 stock price target is based on a valuation of 0.9 times forward tangible book value and 11 times the estimated earnings for 2025.
InvestingPro Insights
As Peapack-Gladstone Financial (NASDAQ:PGC) navigates a transitional year with its strategic expansion, current market data from InvestingPro provides a broader context for investors considering the stock.
The company's market capitalization stands at a modest $394.08M, and it currently trades at a P/E ratio of 10.19, reflecting a market that is cautiously valuing its earnings potential. Interestingly, the adjusted P/E ratio for the last twelve months as of Q1 2024 is slightly lower at 9.95, suggesting some recognition of earnings efficiency despite broader market challenges.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that Peapack-Gladstone has maintained dividend payments for 27 consecutive years, indicating a level of financial stability and commitment to shareholder returns, even as its net income is expected to drop this year.
Moreover, the company's stock is trading near its 52-week low, which could represent an attractive entry point for investors, especially considering that analysts predict the company will remain profitable this year. For those seeking more detailed analysis, there are an additional 6 InvestingPro Tips available, which could provide further insights into the company's financial health and future prospects.
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