Wall Street has issued downbeat forecasts for the stocks in this article. These predictions are rare - financial institutions typically hesitate to say bad things about a company because it can jeopardize their other revenue-generating business lines like M&A advisory.
At StockStory, we look beyond the headlines with our independent analysis to determine whether these bearish calls are justified. That said, here are three stocks where the skepticism is well-placed and some better opportunities to consider.
EverQuote (EVER)
Consensus Price Target: $25.83 (3.8% implied return)
Aiming to simplify a once complicated process, EverQuote (NASDAQ: EVER) is an online insurance marketplace where consumers can compare and purchase various types of insurance from different providers
Why Do We Think Twice About EVER?
- Expensive marketing campaigns hurt its profitability and make us wonder what would happen if it let up on the gas
EverQuote’s stock price of $24.89 implies a valuation ratio of 6.1x forward EV/EBITDA. If you’re considering EVER for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.
BankUnited (BKU)
Consensus Price Target: $52.73 (8.6% implied return)
Born from the ashes of a failed Florida thrift during the 2009 financial crisis, BankUnited (NYSE: BKU) is a regional bank that provides commercial lending, deposit services, and treasury solutions to businesses and consumers primarily in Florida and the New York metropolitan area.
Why Does BKU Fall Short?
- 5.5% annual net interest income growth over the last five years was slower than its banking peers
- Weak unit economics are reflected in its net interest margin of 2.9%, one of the worst among bank companies
- Incremental sales over the last five years were less profitable as its 1.2% annual earnings per share growth lagged its revenue gains
BankUnited is trading at $48.57 per share, or 1.1x forward P/B. To fully understand why you should be careful with BKU, check out our full research report (it’s free).
BancFirst (BANF)
Consensus Price Target: $124.33 (8.9% implied return)
Operating as a "super community bank" with a decentralized management approach that emphasizes local responsiveness, BancFirst Corporation (NASDAQ: BANF) operates as a financial holding company providing commercial banking services to retail customers and small to medium-sized businesses primarily in Oklahoma and Texas.
Why Is BANF Not Exciting?
- 7.8% annual revenue growth over the last two years was slower than its banking peers
- Projected 2 percentage point efficiency ratio increase over the next year signals its day-to-day expenses will rise
- Earnings growth underperformed the sector average over the last two years as its EPS grew by just 9.2% annually
At $114.14 per share, BancFirst trades at 1.9x forward P/B. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why BANF doesn’t pass our bar.
Stocks We Like More
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