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The Zacks Finance Sector has displayed a marginal amount of relative strength in 2022, down roughly 18% vs. the S&P 500’s 21% decline.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
A highly-ranked stock residing in the sector, Bank OZK OZK, offers financial products and services, including savings accounts, personal and business loans, debit and credit cards, mortgages, cash management, online banking services, and many others.
The company’s earnings outlook has turned visibly bright over the last several months, pushing the stock into a favorable Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
For investors seeking a strong stock currently displaying favorable characteristics, let’s take a deeper dive into the company.
Share Performance
Over the last three months, Bank OZK shares have been notably strong, increasing by nearly 6% in value and widely outperforming its sector.
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And over the last month, OZK shares have continued to display relative strength, declining 5% vs. its sector’s 7% decline.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The favorable price action of OZK shares indicates that market participants have defended the stock at a much higher level than most, undoubtedly a positive in the historically-volatile 2022.
Valuation
Further, valuation levels appear enticing – the company’s 8.9X forward earnings multiple sits nicely below its five-year median of 10.8X and represents a sizable 35% discount relative to its Zacks Sector.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Growth Estimates
Bank OZK’s growth profile is impressive – earnings are forecasted to climb a marginal 1% in FY22 and a further 7.7% in FY23.
Further, top-line estimates reflect sizable growth; revenue is forecasted to climb 7.5% in FY22 and an additional 9% in FY23.
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Dividends
Who doesn’t enjoy getting paid? Fortunately, for those seeking an income stream, OZK has that more than covered with its sector-beating annual dividend yield of a sizable 3.2%.
The company has upped its dividend payout a jaw-dropping 20 times over the last five years, paired with a 12.4% five-year annualized dividend growth rate.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Earnings Performance
OZK has been on an impressive earnings streak, beating revenue and earnings estimates in its previous nine quarters.
Just in its latest print, Bank OZK penciled in an 8% bottom line beat and a 2.4% revenue beat.
Bottom Line
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