Wintrust Financial’s 14.9% return over the past six months has outpaced the S&P 500 by 7.2%, and its stock price has climbed to $151.18 per share. This run-up might have investors contemplating their next move.
Following the strength, is WTFC a buy right now? Or is the market overestimating its value? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.
Why Does Wintrust Financial Spark Debate?
Founded in 1991 as a community-focused alternative to big banks in the Chicago area, Wintrust Financial (NASDAQGS:WTFC) operates community banks in the Chicago area and provides specialty finance services including insurance premium financing and wealth management.
Two Things to Like:
1. Net Interest Income Skyrockets, Fueling Growth Opportunities
While bank generate revenue from multiple sources, investors view net interest income as a cornerstone - its predictable, recurring characteristics stand in sharp contrast to the volatility of one-time fees.
Wintrust Financial’s net interest income has grown at a 17% annualized rate over the last five years, better than the broader banking industry and faster than its total revenue. Its growth was driven by both an increase in its outstanding loans and net interest margin, which represents how much a bank earns in relation to its outstanding loan book.
2. Steady Increase in TBVPS Highlights Solid Asset Growth
For banks, tangible book value per share (TBVPS) is a crucial metric that measures the actual value of shareholders’ equity, stripping out goodwill and other intangible assets that may not be recoverable in a worst-case scenario.
Wintrust Financial’s TBVPS increased by 10.2% annually over the last five years, and growth has recently accelerated as TBVPS grew at a solid 13% annual clip over the past two years (from $70.40 to $89.90 per share).
One Reason to be Careful:
Lackluster Revenue Growth
We at StockStory place the most emphasis on long-term growth, but within financials, a stretched historical view may miss recent interest rate changes, market returns, and industry trends. Wintrust Financial’s annualized revenue growth of 9.9% over the last two years aligns with its five-year trend, suggesting its demand was consistently weak. 
Note: Quarters not shown were determined to be outliers, impacted by outsized investment gains/losses that are not indicative of the recurring fundamentals of the business.
Final Judgment
Wintrust Financial’s positive characteristics outweigh the negatives, and with its shares beating the market recently, the stock trades at 1.4× forward P/B (or $151.18 per share). Is now the time to initiate a position? See for yourself in our in-depth research report, it’s free.
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