Lakeland Financial Corp Q4 2024 Earnings: EPS of $0.94 Beats Estimates, Revenue Hits $63.6 Million - Stockxpo - Grow more with Investors, Traders, Analyst and Research

Lakeland Financial Corp Q4 2024 Earnings: EPS of $0.94 Beats Estimates, Revenue Hits $63.6 Million

On January 24, 2025, Lakeland Financial Corp (LKFN, Financial) released its 8-K filing detailing its financial performance for the fourth quarter and full year of 2024. Lakeland Financial Corp, a bank holding company, provides a wide range of financial services including commercial, retail, wealth advisory, and investment management services across Northern and Central Indiana.

1882768246684413952.png

Performance Overview

For the fourth quarter of 2024, Lakeland Financial Corp reported a net income of $24.2 million, a decrease of 18% compared to $29.6 million in the same quarter of 2023. The diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter was $0.94, which exceeded the analyst estimate of $0.90. However, the company’s revenue for the quarter was $63.6 million, slightly exceeding the estimated $63.09 million.

On an annual basis, the company reported a net income of $93.5 million for 2024, slightly down from $93.8 million in 2023. The diluted EPS for the year was $3.63, surpassing the annual estimate of $3.59. Despite the challenges, the company achieved organic average loan growth of 5% and average deposit growth of 4%.

Financial Achievements and Challenges

Lakeland Financial Corp’s financial achievements include a 5% growth in tangible book value per share to $26.47 and an improvement in the total risk-based capital ratio to 15.90%. The company’s net interest margin improved to 3.25% from 3.23% in the previous year, reflecting effective balance sheet management.

However, the company faced challenges with a significant increase in provision expenses, which rose to $3.7 million in Q4 2024 from $300,000 in Q4 2023. This increase was primarily due to specific allocations for a downgraded credit. Additionally, nonperforming assets increased by 253% to $56.9 million as of December 31, 2024, compared to the previous year.

Income Statement and Key Metrics

The income statement reveals a net interest income of $51.7 million for Q4 2024, a 6% increase from the previous year. Noninterest income decreased by 31% to $11.9 million, primarily due to a reduction in other income. Noninterest expense increased by 4% to $30.7 million, driven by higher salaries and employee benefits.

Metric Q4 2024 Q4 2023 Change
Net Income $24.2 million $29.6 million -18%
Diluted EPS $0.94 $1.16 -19%
Revenue $63.6 million $65.8 million -3%

Analysis and Commentary

The company’s performance highlights its ability to manage interest margins effectively despite a challenging economic environment. The increase in net interest margin and capital ratios indicates a strong financial position. However, the rise in provision expenses and nonperforming assets suggests potential risks in the loan portfolio.

“2024 continued a long and consistent trend of organic growth in our balance sheet. We successfully expanded both our loan and deposit franchises during the year,” stated David M. Findlay, Chairman and CEO.

Overall, Lakeland Financial Corp’s results reflect a mixed performance with strong capital management but challenges in asset quality. The company’s strategic focus on expanding its loan and deposit base while managing interest margins will be crucial for sustaining growth in the future.

Explore the complete 8-K earnings release (here) from Lakeland Financial Corp for further details.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

scroll to top