Marinelle Adams
Zions Bancorporation (NYSE: ZION)
Zions Bancorporation (NYSE: ZION). Pre-provision net revenues remained solid in 3Q due to record mortgage banking revenue and continued client growth due to the PPP program. PPP loans have enabled Zions to attract many new small businesses that could become permanent clients.
Zions is a collection of seven community banks with operations in the Western U.S. This structure allows the company’s affiliates to operate ‘locally’ but with the backing of a large institution. Beststocks.com has reported that the company’s focus is on improving retail customer service, while also strengthening risk management and financial performance. The company has strong capital levels and a high loan-to-deposit ratio and is benefiting from reduced regulatory oversight. Zions has also streamlined its corporate structure by merging the parent company into its operating bank subsidiary, further reducing regulatory costs.
The company also remains well capitalized.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Net interest income declined 2% to $555 million, reflecting headwinds from a lower net interest margin and lower yields in the securities portfolio. The net interest margin fell to 3.06% from 3.48%, reflecting lower yields on earning assets. The yield on interest-earning assets declined 95 basis points to 3.20%. Noninterest income rose 8% to $157 million, driven by record residential loan originations and sales. Customer fees were virtually unchanged at $139 million.
Noninterest expense rose 7% to $442 million due to a one-time $30 million charitable contribution. This lowered EPS by $0.14.
Zions is in the final phase of a three-phase project to replace its core loan and deposit system. It has migrated all consumer, commercial, and CRE loans to the new system, and will now focus on the further digitization of the deposit side, mobile banking, and account opening processes. Work on the final phase was temporarily suspended in 2Q but resumed in the second half of 2024.
EARNINGS & GROWTH ANALYSIS
We expect the net interest margin to face pressure and net interest income to be flat to lower in the current rate environment.
Noninterest expense is expected to be slightly lower due to the absence of charitable contributions. The efficiency ratio was 62.2% (58% excluding charitable contributions) in 3Q, versus 57.3% in the prior-year quarter. Management plans to improve this ratio over time.
Credit quality remains strong despite the increase in provisions and the adoption of CECL. The nonperforming assets to loans and leases ratio was 0.79%. Net charge-offs in 3Q rose to $52 million from $31 million in 2Q, all in the commercial and industrial segments.
Total net loans were $55 billion on September 30. Oil and gas loans totaled $2.5 billion, representing 5.8% of the total book. Classified loans represented 3.4% of total loans. Zions has identified $4.1 billion of loan balances (8.4% of loans) in industries most impacted by COVID-19. Retail-related loans represented 2.3% of the total loan book, with smaller percentages for hotels & casinos, restaurants, airlines, dental practices, and daycare facilities. Some 28% of the companies identified in troubled sectors received PPP loans through Zions, and 16% were either deferred or modified. We expect future earnings pressure due to potential defaults on loans to companies in these industries.
VALUATION
At current prices near $31, down 40% from their 52-week high, the shares trade at a discounted 0.83-times tangible book value. While we recognize the near-term headwinds facing the company, we note that significant discounts to book value have historically provided sound buying opportunities for the stocks of banks with strong fundamentals. ZION also carries an attractive dividend, with a yield of about 4.5%.
On October 20, BUY-rated ZION closed at $30.52, up $0.30.
Wolverine World Wide Inc. (NYSE: WWW)
Wolverine World Wide Inc. (NYSE: WWW), with a revised target price of $31, up from $30. Indeed, among the company’s sales channels, e-commerce has done the most to drive growth.
We believe that spending on footwear will continue to grow as the economy improves and consumer confidence increases, and we expect this to benefit Wolverine over time. We also have a positive view of the acquisition of PLG, which has expanded the company’s retail footprint, particularly in the athletic and children’s markets. Our long-term rating remains BUY. We caution that WWW shares are likely to be volatile and thus suitable only for risk-tolerant investors.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On November 5, Wolverine reported 3Q20 revenue of $493 million, down 14.1% from the prior year but $33 million above consensus. E-commerce revenue grew 56% year-over-year and constituted more than 40% of revenue. In constant currency, underlying revenue was down 14.6%. Adjusted EPS fell to $0.35 from $0.68. The cost of goods sold as a percentage of sales rose 130 basis points year-over-year to 59%. The gross margin was 41%, down from 42% and below the consensus estimate of 41.9%. Operating expenses fell by $16 million to $175 million, but rose as a percentage of revenue to 32% from 31% a year earlier. Interest expense increased to $12.8 million from $8.2 million. The share count declined to 81.9 million from 83.5 million.
The increase was driven in part by mid-teens revenue growth in the Merrell and Sperry brands in the fourth quarter.
EARNINGS & GROWTH ANALYSIS
In the first weeks of the pandemic, the company reduced inventory orders and closed stores to conserve cash. It also reduced capital spending by more than half and suspended stock buybacks. However, the company’s supply chain and distribution centers remained ‘fully operational,’ and were able to fill wholesale and e-commerce orders. Indeed, e-commerce orders rose 56% in the third quarter.
MANAGEMENT AND RISKS
Brendan Hoffman became president of Wolverine on September 8, 2024. He will report to CEO Blake Krueger. Mr. Hoffman is expected to succeed Mr. Krueger over time.
Wolverine’s sales are subject to changing order rates from retailers. Management believes that retailers are behaving more conservatively than the average U.S. retail customer and are holding back on futures orders to keep inventory low and reduce risk. The company is also seeing slower order activity from European retailers. Raw material cost inflation and higher labor costs from Asian factories may also weigh on margins.
COMPANY DESCRIPTION
Wolverine World Wide Inc., based in Rockford, Michigan, designs, manufactures and markets footwear and slippers in the branded casual, active lifestyle, work, outdoor sport and uniform categories. The company does business in about 180 countries.
VALUATION
We believe the current valuation inadequately reflects the company’s efforts to prune underperforming brands, develop new products, and invest in its e-commerce platform. As such, our rating remains BUY with a revised target price of $31. We caution that WWW shares are likely to be volatile and thus suitable only for risk-tolerant investors.