Citizens Republic Bancorp Inc Stock Upgraded (CRBC)

Editor's Note: TheStreet ratings do not represent the views of TheStreet's staff or its contributors. Ratings are established by computer based on metrics for performance (which includes growth, stock performance, efficiency and valuation) and risk (volatility and solvency). Companies with poor cash flow or high debt levels tend to earn lower ratings in our model

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Citizens Republic Bancorp (Nasdaq:CRBC) has been upgraded by TheStreet Ratings from hold to buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its solid stock price performance, impressive record of earnings per share growth, compelling growth in net income, notable return on equity and attractive valuation levels. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows weak operating cash flow.

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Highlights from the ratings report include:

• Powered by its strong earnings growth of 1370.00% and other important driving factors, this stock has surged by 161.27% over the past year, outperforming the rise in the S&P 500 Index during the same period. Regarding the stock's future course, although almost any stock can fall in a broad market decline, CRBC should continue to move higher despite the fact that it has already enjoyed a very nice gain in the past year.
• CITIZENS REPUBLIC BANCORP reported significant earnings per share improvement in the most recent quarter compared to the same quarter a year ago. The company has demonstrated a pattern of positive earnings per share growth over the past two years. We feel that this trend should continue. During the past fiscal year, CITIZENS REPUBLIC BANCORP continued to lose money by earning -$0.41 versus -$7.80 in the prior year. This year, the market expects an improvement in earnings ($2.07 versus -$0.41).
• The net income growth from the same quarter one year ago has significantly exceeded that of the S&P 500 and the Commercial Banks industry. The net income increased by 1155.0% when compared to the same quarter one year prior, rising from $24.16 million to $303.18 million.
• The company's current return on equity greatly increased when compared to its ROE from the same quarter one year prior. This is a signal of significant strength within the corporation. Compared to other companies in the Commercial Banks industry and the overall market, CITIZENS REPUBLIC BANCORP's return on equity significantly exceeds that of both the industry average and the S&P 500.

Citizens Republic Bancorp, Inc., through its subsidiary, provides banking and financial services to individuals and businesses in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio. Citizens Republic has a market cap of $805.3 million and is part of the financial sector and banking industry. Shares are up 21.2% year to date as of the close of trading on Thursday.

You can view the full Citizens Republic Ratings Report or get investment ideas from our investment research center.

-- Written by a member of TheStreet Ratings Staff

Editor's Note: TheStreet ratings do not represent the views of TheStreet's staff or its contributors. Ratings are established by computer based on metrics for performance (which includes growth, stock performance, efficiency and valuation) and risk (volatility and solvency). Companies with poor cash flow or high debt levels tend to earn lower ratings in our model

 

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