We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Comerica (CMA) Q4 Earnings Beat Estimates, Revenues Fall
Read MoreHide Full Article
Comerica (CMA - Free Report) delivered a fourth-quarter 2020 positive earnings surprise of 23.1%. Earnings per share of $1.49 easily surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.21. However, bottom line came in lower than the prior-year quarter figure of $1.85.
The company’s results were supported by fall in provisions. Also, the capital position remained strong. Nevertheless, lower revenues, due to reduction in net interest and non-interest income, were recorded. Moreover, higher expenses and reduced loans balance were major drags.
Net income came in at $215 million in the quarter, down 19.5% year over year from $269 million.
In full-year 2020, net income totaled $474 million or $3.27 per share, down from the prior year’s $1.2 billion or $7.87 per share. Full-year earnings, however, outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.98.
Furthermore, segment wise, on a year-over-year basis, net income increased 10% at Commercial Bank. Wealth Management reported 65.5% decline in net income. The Finance and Retail segments reported net loss.
Revenues Fall on Low Rates, Expenses Rise
In 2020, revenues were $2.91 billion, down 13.1% year over year. Nevertheless, the top line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.88 billion.
Comerica’s fourth-quarter net revenues were $734 million, down 9.4% year over year. However, the top line surpassed the consensus estimate of $703.7 million.
Net interest income slipped 13.8% on a year-over-year basis to $469 million in the quarter, on lower short-term rates. In addition, net interest margin contracted 84 basis points (bps) to 2.36%.
Total non-interest income came in at $265 million, slightly down on a year-over-year basis. Lower service charges on deposit accounts, commercial lending fees and brokerage fees mainly affected the results, partly mitigated by increase in card fees.
Non-interest expenses totaled $473 million, up 4.9% year over year. The upswing resulted chiefly from higher salaries and benefits expense, software expense and occupancy-related costs.
Efficiency ratio was 64.27% compared with the prior-year quarter’s 55.46%. A rise in ratio indicates a fall in profitability.
Solid Balance Sheet
As of Dec 31, 2020, total assets and common shareholders' equity were $88.1 billion and $8.1 billion, respectively, compared with $83.6 billion and $7.9 billion as of Sep 30, 2020.
Total loans declined marginally on a sequential basis to $52.3 billion. However, total deposits jumped 6.4% from the prior quarter to $72.9 billion.
Credit Quality: A Mixed Bag
Total non-performing assets increased 67% year over year to $359 million. Also, allowance for loan losses was $948 million, up 48.8%. Additionally, the allowance for loan losses to total loans ratio was 1.81% as of Dec 31, 2020, up from 1.27% on Dec 31, 2019. Further, net loan charge-offs jumped 38.1% to $29 million.
However, a benefit of $17 million was recorded during the quarter against provision for credit losses of $8 million in the prior-year quarter.
Strong Capital Position
As of Dec 31, 2020, the company's tangible common equity ratio was 8.02%, down 117 bps year over year. Common equity Tier 1 capital ratio was 10.35%, up from 10.13%. Total capital ratio was 13.21%, up from 12.13%.
Outlook for Q1 2021
Comerica has provided guidance for first-quarter 2021 compared with the fourth quarter of 2020, on expectations of gradual improvement in economic conditions.
Comerica expects average loans to decline. The outlook reflects decline in Mortgage Banker Finance and Energy loans, partially offset by growth in National Dealer Services and general Middle Market. Also, PPP loan forgiveness is likely to exceed additional advances. Furthermore, average deposits are expected to be strong.
The company projects net interest income to fall due to lower interest rates and reduced average loan balances, partly offset by management of loan and deposit pricing.
Non-interest income is likely to decline as fourth-quarter levels of deferred compensation asset returns, card fees, warrants and securities trading income are not expected to repeat, along with a seasonal reduction in syndication fees. This is likely to be partially offset by higher service charges on deposit accounts, fiduciary income and brokerage fees.
Non-interest expenses are estimated to decline, resulting from lower deferred compensation and pension expenses, seasonal reduction in occupancy, staff insurance and advertising.
Provisions for credit losses are expected to be reflective of economic environment, including pace of economic recovery. Net charge-offs are expected to be modestly higher.
Our Viewpoint
Comerica's prospects look promising as strategic initiatives are likely to boost performance. Also, lower provisions despite coronavirus-led chaos acted as a tailwind. Nevertheless, restricted top-line expansion, eroded by a lower margin and fee income, is a concern.
Comerica Incorporated Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
PNC Financial (PNC - Free Report) pulled off fourth-quarter 2020 positive earnings surprise of 23% on prudent expense management. Earnings per share of $3.26 surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.65. Also, the bottom line was 9.8% higher than the prior-year level.
First Republic Bank delivered a positive earnings surprise of 5.3% in fourth-quarter 2020 on solid top-line strength. Earnings per share of $1.60 surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.52. Additionally, the bottom line climbed 15.1% from the year-ago quarter.
Successful cost saving initiatives and unexpected release of reserves supported Wells Fargo’s (WFC - Free Report) fourth-quarter 2020 earnings of 64 cents per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 59 cents. Also, the bottom line compared favorably with the prior-year quarter figure of 60 cents.
5 Stocks Set to Double
Each was hand-picked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in 2020. Each comes from a different sector and has unique qualities and catalysts that could fuel exceptional growth.
Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.
Image: Bigstock
Comerica (CMA) Q4 Earnings Beat Estimates, Revenues Fall
Comerica (CMA - Free Report) delivered a fourth-quarter 2020 positive earnings surprise of 23.1%. Earnings per share of $1.49 easily surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.21. However, bottom line came in lower than the prior-year quarter figure of $1.85.
The company’s results were supported by fall in provisions. Also, the capital position remained strong. Nevertheless, lower revenues, due to reduction in net interest and non-interest income, were recorded. Moreover, higher expenses and reduced loans balance were major drags.
Net income came in at $215 million in the quarter, down 19.5% year over year from $269 million.
In full-year 2020, net income totaled $474 million or $3.27 per share, down from the prior year’s $1.2 billion or $7.87 per share. Full-year earnings, however, outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.98.
Furthermore, segment wise, on a year-over-year basis, net income increased 10% at Commercial Bank. Wealth Management reported 65.5% decline in net income. The Finance and Retail segments reported net loss.
Revenues Fall on Low Rates, Expenses Rise
In 2020, revenues were $2.91 billion, down 13.1% year over year. Nevertheless, the top line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.88 billion.
Comerica’s fourth-quarter net revenues were $734 million, down 9.4% year over year. However, the top line surpassed the consensus estimate of $703.7 million.
Net interest income slipped 13.8% on a year-over-year basis to $469 million in the quarter, on lower short-term rates. In addition, net interest margin contracted 84 basis points (bps) to 2.36%.
Total non-interest income came in at $265 million, slightly down on a year-over-year basis. Lower service charges on deposit accounts, commercial lending fees and brokerage fees mainly affected the results, partly mitigated by increase in card fees.
Non-interest expenses totaled $473 million, up 4.9% year over year. The upswing resulted chiefly from higher salaries and benefits expense, software expense and occupancy-related costs.
Efficiency ratio was 64.27% compared with the prior-year quarter’s 55.46%. A rise in ratio indicates a fall in profitability.
Solid Balance Sheet
As of Dec 31, 2020, total assets and common shareholders' equity were $88.1 billion and $8.1 billion, respectively, compared with $83.6 billion and $7.9 billion as of Sep 30, 2020.
Total loans declined marginally on a sequential basis to $52.3 billion. However, total deposits jumped 6.4% from the prior quarter to $72.9 billion.
Credit Quality: A Mixed Bag
Total non-performing assets increased 67% year over year to $359 million. Also, allowance for loan losses was $948 million, up 48.8%. Additionally, the allowance for loan losses to total loans ratio was 1.81% as of Dec 31, 2020, up from 1.27% on Dec 31, 2019. Further, net loan charge-offs jumped 38.1% to $29 million.
However, a benefit of $17 million was recorded during the quarter against provision for credit losses of $8 million in the prior-year quarter.
Strong Capital Position
As of Dec 31, 2020, the company's tangible common equity ratio was 8.02%, down 117 bps year over year. Common equity Tier 1 capital ratio was 10.35%, up from 10.13%. Total capital ratio was 13.21%, up from 12.13%.
Outlook for Q1 2021
Comerica has provided guidance for first-quarter 2021 compared with the fourth quarter of 2020, on expectations of gradual improvement in economic conditions.
Comerica expects average loans to decline. The outlook reflects decline in Mortgage Banker Finance and Energy loans, partially offset by growth in National Dealer Services and general Middle Market. Also, PPP loan forgiveness is likely to exceed additional advances. Furthermore, average deposits are expected to be strong.
The company projects net interest income to fall due to lower interest rates and reduced average loan balances, partly offset by management of loan and deposit pricing.
Non-interest income is likely to decline as fourth-quarter levels of deferred compensation asset returns, card fees, warrants and securities trading income are not expected to repeat, along with a seasonal reduction in syndication fees. This is likely to be partially offset by higher service charges on deposit accounts, fiduciary income and brokerage fees.
Non-interest expenses are estimated to decline, resulting from lower deferred compensation and pension expenses, seasonal reduction in occupancy, staff insurance and advertising.
Provisions for credit losses are expected to be reflective of economic environment, including pace of economic recovery. Net charge-offs are expected to be modestly higher.
Our Viewpoint
Comerica's prospects look promising as strategic initiatives are likely to boost performance. Also, lower provisions despite coronavirus-led chaos acted as a tailwind. Nevertheless, restricted top-line expansion, eroded by a lower margin and fee income, is a concern.
Comerica Incorporated Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Comerica Incorporated price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Comerica Incorporated Quote
Currently, Comerica carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Performance of Other Banks
PNC Financial (PNC - Free Report) pulled off fourth-quarter 2020 positive earnings surprise of 23% on prudent expense management. Earnings per share of $3.26 surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.65. Also, the bottom line was 9.8% higher than the prior-year level.
First Republic Bank delivered a positive earnings surprise of 5.3% in fourth-quarter 2020 on solid top-line strength. Earnings per share of $1.60 surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.52. Additionally, the bottom line climbed 15.1% from the year-ago quarter.
Successful cost saving initiatives and unexpected release of reserves supported Wells Fargo’s (WFC - Free Report) fourth-quarter 2020 earnings of 64 cents per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 59 cents. Also, the bottom line compared favorably with the prior-year quarter figure of 60 cents.
5 Stocks Set to Double
Each was hand-picked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in 2020. Each comes from a different sector and has unique qualities and catalysts that could fuel exceptional growth.
Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.
Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >>