NIC

Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. reported past second-quarter 2026 results with net interest income of US$141.47 million, net income of US$56.9 million, and net loan charge-offs of US$651,000, while also affirming a US$0.36 quarterly dividend and updating its share repurchase activity. An interesting angle for investors is the Board’s decision to expand the long-running buyback authorization to US$546 million, underlining ongoing capital return alongside earnings growth. Next, we will examine how this strong earnings beat, supported by higher net interest income, shapes Nicolet Bankshares’ investment narrative. Outshine the giants: these 16 early-stage AI stocks could fund your retirement. To own Nicolet Bankshares today, you have to be comfortable paying a premium multiple for a regional bank where the story leans heavily on execution, disciplined loan performance and efficient use of capital. The latest quarter reinforced that narrative: net interest income and earnings surprised to the upside, the dividend was held at US$0.36, and the Board lifted the long-running buyback authorization to US$546 million while continuing to retire shares at a healthy clip. That combination of earnings strength and capital return has supported strong share price gains this year, suggesting the market sees the recent news as incrementally positive rather than thesis changing. Near term, the key catalysts remain ongoing index inclusion attention and integration of the Midwest One merger, while rising charge-offs and a still-low 5.9% return on equity anchor the main risks. However, rising charge-offs and a low return on equity are signals investors should not ignore. Nicolet Bankshares' shares have been on the rise but are still potentially undervalued by 34%. Find out what it's worth. Two fair value views from the Simply Wall St Community span roughly US$177.8 to US$253.21 per share, reflecting a wide spread in expectations. Set against recent earnings strength and accelerating capital returns, this dispersion underlines how differently participants are weighing credit risk and the bank’s ability to lift returns from here. Explore 2 other fair value estimates on Nicolet Bankshares - why the stock might be worth as much as 51% more than the current price! Don't just follow the ticker - dig into the data and build a conviction that's truly your own. A great starting point for your Nicolet Bankshares research is our analysis highlighting 3 key rewards and 2 important warning signs that could impact your investment decision. Our free Nicolet Bankshares research report provides a comprehensive fundamental analysis summarized in a single visual - the Snowflake - making it easy to evaluate Nicolet Bankshares' overall financial health at a glance. These stocks are moving-our analysis flagged them today. Act fast before the price catches up: The future of work is here. Discover the 34 top robotics and automation stocks leading the charge in AI-driven automation and industrial transformation. Invest in the nuclear renaissance through our list of 90 elite nuclear energy infrastructure plays powering the global AI revolution. Capitalize on the AI infrastructure supercycle with our selection of the 54 best 'picks and shovels' of the AI gold rush converting record-breaking demand into massive cash flow. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include NIC. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email [email protected]

For the quarter ended June 2026, Nicolet Bankshares (NIC) reported revenue of $179.36 million, up 87.3% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $2.99, compared to $2.35 in the year-ago quarter. The reported revenue represents a surprise of +4.1% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $172.3 million. With the consensus EPS estimate being $2.96, the EPS surprise was +1.01%. While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health. Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance. Here is how Nicolet Bankshares performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts: Efficiency Ratio: 58.6% versus 51.9% estimated by two analysts on average. Total interest-earning assets: $13.86 billion compared to the $13.91 billion average estimate based on two analysts. Net Interest Margin: 4.1% versus the two-analyst average estimate of 4.1%. Net loan charge-offs to average loans: 0% compared to the 0.1% average estimate based on two analysts. Mortgage income, net: $3.62 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $4 million. Card interchange income: $6.33 million compared to the $4.84 million average estimate based on two analysts. Other noninterest income: $3.05 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $3.37 million. BOLI income: $2.31 million versus $2.12 million estimated by two analysts on average. Total Noninterest Income: $36.28 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $32.02 million. Service charges on deposit accounts: $4.14 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $4.2 million. Net Interest Income: $141.47 million versus $139.76 million estimated by two analysts on average. View all Key Company Metrics for Nicolet Bankshares here>>> Shares of Nicolet Bankshares have returned +10.4% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.6% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Nicolet Bankshares Inc. (NIC) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Net income of $57 million ($65 million core*) for second quarter 2026, compared to net income of $15 million ($52 million core*) for first quarter 2026 Diluted earnings per share of $2.62 ($2.99 core*) for second quarter 2026, compared to $0.81 ($2.75 core*) for first quarter 2026 Return on average assets of 1.47% for second quarter 2026, and core* return on average assets of 1.69% Return on average tangible common equity of 19.07% for second quarter 2026, and core* return on average tangible common equity of 21.59%, with return on average equity of 10.09% Repurchased 267,310 common shares for $40 million during second quarter 2026, and authorized $150 million in additional repurchases Net interest margin increased to 4.14% for second quarter 2026, benefitting from a full quarter of loan purchase accounting accretion as well as lower core deposit funding costs * Core net income, diluted earnings per share, return on average assets, and return on average tangible common equity are non-GAAP financial measures GREEN BAY, Wis., July 21, 2026--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. (NYSE: NIC) ("Nicolet") announced net income of $57 million and earnings per diluted common share of $2.62 for second quarter 2026, compared to net income of $15 million and earnings per diluted common share of $0.81 for first quarter 2026, and net income of $36 million and earnings per diluted common share of $2.34 for second quarter 2025. Net income included certain non-core items, mostly merger-related expenses, that negatively impacted earnings per diluted common share $0.37 for second quarter 2026 and $1.94 for first quarter 2026, resulting in core diluted earnings per common share (non-GAAP) of $2.99 and $2.75, respectively. "Our second quarter results reflect the strength of the Nicolet model and the disciplined execution of our team," said Mike Daniels, Chairman, President, and CEO of Nicolet. "Core earnings remained strong, net interest margin expanded, credit quality continued to perform well, allowing us to repurchase stock throughout the quarter, and tangible book value increased. I’m particularly pleased with the progress we’ve made integrating MidWestOne. Throughout the process, our teams have remained focused on serving our clients while executing our integration plan. As we complete our conversion later this summer and begin fully realizing our planned cost savings, we’ll be in a stronger position to restore the high level of profitability and returns that have historically defined Nicolet." Daniels added, "From a balance sheet perspective, we continued to improve the composition of both our loan and deposit portfolios during the quarter. While period-end balances were relatively stable, we continue to see a shift toward higher-yielding in-market commercial loans, supported by growth in lower-cost core deposits. This combined with the momentum we’re seeing across our markets and the opportunities we’ve created in Iowa and Minnesota, those trends support continued margin expansion and position us well to deliver solid organic growth through the balance of 2026." Nicolet’s financial performance and certain balance sheet line items were impacted by the timing and size of the MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc. ("MidWestOne") acquisition on February 13, 2026. Certain income statement results, average balances, and related ratios for 2026 include partial contributions from MidWestOne from the acquisition date. At acquisition, MidWestOne added total assets of $6.1 billion, loans of $4.4 billion, and deposits of $5.3 billion. Balance Sheet Review At June 30, 2026, period end assets were $15.4 billion, a decrease of $160 million from March 31, 2026, largely due to lower cash and cash equivalents. Total loans decreased $32 million from March 31, 2026, while investments grew $20 million. Total deposits of $12.5 billion at June 30, 2026, decreased $101 million from March 31, 2026, including a $100 million decrease in brokered deposits and a $1 million decrease in core deposits. Long-term borrowings decreased $87 million from the prior quarter due to the early redemption of junior subordinated debentures. Total capital was $2.3 billion at June 30, 2026, an increase of $15 million over March 31, 2026, with earnings offset by common stock repurchases and the quarterly common stock dividend. Asset Quality Nonperforming assets were $75 million and represented 0.49% of total assets at June 30, 2026, compared to $79 million (0.51% of total assets) at March 31, 2026. The allowance for credit losses-loans was $134 million and represented 1.23% of total loans at June 30, 2026, compared to $133 million (or 1.23% of total loans) at March 31, 2026. Asset quality trends remain solid and loan net charge-offs were negligible. Income Statement Review - Quarter Net income was $57 million for second quarter 2026, compared to net income of $15 million for first quarter 2026. Net interest income was $141 million for second quarter 2026, $32 million (29%) higher than first quarter 2026, the net of a $43 million increase in interest income and an $11 million increase in interest expense. Average interest-earning assets of $13.9 billion were up $2.6 billion from first quarter 2026, with higher average loans (up $2.1 billion) and higher average securities (up $567 million), mostly due to the inclusion of a full quarter of MidWestOne balances. Average interest-bearing liabilities of $10.4 billion were up $2.0 billion from first quarter 2026, also attributable to a full quarter of MidWestOne balances. The net interest margin for second quarter 2026 was 4.14%, compared to 3.98% for first quarter 2026, with a portion of the increase attributable to loan purchase accounting accretion (which added 23 bps and 18 bps to second and first quarter net interest margin, respectively). The yield on interest-earning assets increased 13 bps (to 5.86%), including an 8 bps increase in loan yield (to 6.26%) as well as a higher investment yield from the discount accretion on the early call of a municipal bond and a full quarter of purchase accretion. On the funding side, the cost of interest-bearing liabilities for second quarter 2026 decreased 7 bps (to 2.29%), benefitting from a full quarter of the lower core deposit funding costs from MidWestOne. Noninterest income was $36 million for second quarter 2026, up $11 million compared to first quarter 2026. Excluding net asset gains (losses), noninterest income was up $8 million, including a $1 million increase in wealth management fee income, a $1 million increase in service charges on deposit accounts, and a $2 million increase in card interchange income, all mostly due to the MidWestOne acquisition. Net asset gains were $2 million for second quarter 2026 (mostly due to favorable market valuations on an equity investment), compared to net asset losses of $1 million for first quarter 2026 (comprised primarily of a write-down on an equity investment). Noninterest expense was $104 million for second quarter 2026, a $6 million decrease from first quarter 2026, mostly due to a $33 million decrease in merger-related expense offset by a full quarter of MidWestOne expenses. Personnel expense increased $12 million from first quarter 2026, reflecting the larger employee base post-acquisition. Non-personnel expense decreased $18 million from first quarter 2026, and included the decrease in merger-related expense, offset by higher overall expense for a full quarter of the larger operating base and a $5 million loss on the early redemption of junior subordinated debentures. Sale of Denver Branches On April 21, 2026, Nicolet National Bank entered into a definitive purchase and assumption agreement to sell its Denver, Colorado banking branches (acquired in the MidWestOne transaction) to Sunwest Bank. This transaction is an all-cash deal that has been approved by the respective boards of directors, has received regulatory approval, and is expected to close in third quarter 2026, subject to standard closing conditions. As of June 30, 2026, the Denver locations had total loans of approximately $402 million and deposits of approximately $388 million. Declaration of Quarterly Cash Dividend to Shareholders On July 21, 2026, Nicolet’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.36 per share to holders of its common stock. The dividend is payable on September 15, 2026, to shareholders of record as of September 1, 2026. Next Quarterly Earnings Release Nicolet expects to issue the third quarter 2026 earnings release on October 20, 2026. About Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. is the bank holding company of Nicolet National Bank, a growing, full-service, community bank providing services ranging from commercial, agricultural and consumer banking to wealth management and retirement plan services. Founded in Green Bay in 2000, Nicolet National Bank operates branches primarily in Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota. More information can be found at www.nicoletbank.com. Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures This communication contains non-GAAP financial measures, such as core net income, core diluted earnings per common share, core return on average assets, core return on average common equity, return on average tangible common equity, core return on average tangible common equity, tangible book value per common share, and tangible common equity to tangible assets. When non-GAAP financial measures are used, the comparable GAAP financial measures, as well as the reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures to the GAAP financial measures, are provided. See "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited)" below. The non-GAAP net income measure and related reconciliation provide information useful to investors in understanding the operating performance and trends of Nicolet and also aid investors in comparing Nicolet’s financial performance to the financial performance of peer banks. Management considers non-GAAP financial ratios to be critical metrics with which to analyze and evaluate financial condition and capital strengths. While non-GAAP financial measures are frequently used by stakeholders in the evaluation of a company, they have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analyses of results as reported under GAAP. Forward Looking Statements "Safe Harbor" Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 This communication contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning, and subject to the protections of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to the core conversion of the integration process of the Nicolet/MidWestOne merger and resulting cost savings, the expected return to historic levels of profitability, the expected closing date of the sale of our Denver branches, and other statements that may not be historical facts. You can identify these forward-looking statements through the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "assume," "aim," "can," "conclude," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "foresee," "goal," "intend," "may," "might," "outlook," "possible," "plan," "predict," "project," "potential," "seek," "should," "target," "will," "will likely," "would," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, as well as similar expressions of the future or otherwise regarding the outlook for Nicolet’s, MidWestOne’s or the combined company’s future businesses and financial performance and/or the performance of the banking industry and economy in general. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and express only management’s beliefs regarding future results or events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of management’s control or predict. A number of factors could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: (1) the risk that integration of MidWestOne’s and Nicolet’s respective businesses will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; (2) the parties’ inability to meet expectations regarding the timing of the proposed sale of the Denver branches; and (3) the failure to satisfy other conditions to completion of the proposed sale, or any unexpected delay in closing the proposed transaction or the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the purchase and assumption agreement. All forward-looking statements included in this communication are made as of the date hereof and are based on information available to management at that time. Except as required by law, Nicolet does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date the forward-looking statements were made. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260721724374/en/ Contacts [email protected]

Nicolet Bankshares (NIC) came out with quarterly earnings of $2.99 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.96 per share. This compares to earnings of $2.35 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +1.01%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this bank holding company would post earnings of $2.98 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.75, delivering a surprise of -7.72%. Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. Nicolet Bankshares, which belongs to the Zacks Banks - Northeast industry, posted revenues of $179.36 million for the quarter ended June 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.10%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $95.74 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates three times over the last four quarters. The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call. Nicolet Bankshares shares have added about 37.7% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 8.7%. While Nicolet Bankshares has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock? There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions. Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Nicolet Bankshares was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $3.09 on $174.85 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $12.17 on $656.6 million in revenues for the current fiscal year. Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Banks - Northeast is currently in the top 35% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1. Another stock from the same industry, First Mid Bancshares (FMBH), has yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2026. This bank holding company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.12 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +13.1%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. First Mid Bancshares' revenues are expected to be $106.05 million, up 21.3% from the year-ago quarter. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Nicolet Bankshares Inc. (NIC) : Free Stock Analysis Report First Mid Bancshares, Inc. (FMBH) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Norwood Financial Corp. (NWFL) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price. The earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 22, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower. While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise. This company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.87 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +29.9%. Revenues are expected to be $28.4 million, up 33.3% from the year-ago quarter. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period. Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Estimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core. The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier. Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only. A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP. Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell). For Norwood Financial, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -1.15%. On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3. So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Norwood Financial will beat the consensus EPS estimate. Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number. For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Norwood Financial would post earnings of $0.81 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.72, delivering a surprise of -11.11%. Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates just once. An earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss. That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported. Norwood Financial doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release. Nicolet Bankshares (NIC), another stock in the Zacks Banks - Northeast industry, is expected to report earnings per share of $2.96 for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate points to a year-over-year change of +26%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $172.3 million, up 80% from the year-ago quarter. The consensus EPS estimate for Nicolet Bankshares has been revised 1.3% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a higher Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +2.76%. When combined with a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold), this Earnings ESP indicates that Nicolet Bankshares will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Norwood Financial Corp. (NWFL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Nicolet Bankshares Inc. (NIC) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Nicolet Bankshares (NIC) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price. The earnings report might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower. While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise. This bank holding company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $2.96 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +26%. Revenues are expected to be $172.3 million, up 80% from the year-ago quarter. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.31% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period. Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Estimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction). The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier. Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only. A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP. Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell). For Nicolet Bankshares, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +2.76%. On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3. So, this combination indicates that Nicolet Bankshares will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number. For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Nicolet Bankshares would post earnings of $2.98 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.75, delivering a surprise of -7.72%. Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times. An earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss. That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported. Nicolet Bankshares appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release. Washington Trust Bancorp (WASH), another stock in the Zacks Banks - Northeast industry, is expected to report earnings per share of $0.76 for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate points to a year-over-year change of +11.8%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $59.71 million, up 10% from the year-ago quarter. The consensus EPS estimate for Washington Trust has been revised 1.2% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a higher Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +2.18%. This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Washington Trust will beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Nicolet Bankshares Inc. (NIC) : Free Stock Analysis Report Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. (WASH) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Since July 2021, the S&P 500 has delivered a total return of 72.2%. But one standout stock has nearly doubled the market - over the past five years, Nicolet Bankshares has surged 131% to $165.35 per share. Its momentum hasn’t stopped as it’s also gained 37.2% in the last six months thanks to its solid quarterly results, beating the S&P by 28.8%. Is now still a good time to buy NIC? Or are investors being too optimistic? Find out in our full research report, it’s free. Starting as Green Bay Financial Corporation in 2000 before rebranding in 2002, Nicolet Bankshares (NYSE:NIC) is a regional bank holding company that provides commercial, agricultural, and consumer banking services primarily in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota. While banks 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. Nicolet Bankshares’s net interest income has grown at a 21.9% annualized rate over the last five years, much better than the broader banking industry and faster than its total revenue. Net interest margin (NIM) represents how much a bank earns in relation to its outstanding loans. It’s one of the most important metrics to track because it shows how a bank’s loans are performing and whether it has the ability to command higher premiums for its services. Over the past two years, Nicolet Bankshares’s net interest margin averaged 3.6%, climbing by 65 basis points (100 basis points = 1 percentage point) over that period. This expansion was a tailwind for its net interest income, and while prevailing interest rates matter the most for industry net interest margins, banks that consistently increase this figure generally boast higher-earning loan books (all else equal such as the risk of those loans) or provide differentiated services that give them the ability to charge higher rates (pricing power). In the banking industry, tangible book value per share (TBVPS) provides the clearest picture of shareholder value, as it focuses on concrete assets while excluding intangible items that may not hold value during challenging times. Nicolet Bankshares’s TBVPS increased by 10.2% annually over the last five years, and growth has recently accelerated as TBVPS grew at an excellent 17% annual clip over the past two years (from $43.28 to $59.21 per share). These are just a few reasons why we think Nicolet Bankshares is a great business, and with its shares outperforming the market lately, the stock trades at 1.4× forward P/B (or $165.35 per share). Is now a good time to initiate a position? See for yourself in our full research report, it’s free. ONE MORE THING: Top 6 Stocks for This Week. This market is separating quality stocks from expensive ones fast. AI is taking down whole sectors with no warning. In a rotation this fast, you need more than a list of good companies. Our AI system flagged Palantir before it ran 1,662%. AppLovin before it ran 753%. Nvidia before it ran 1,178%. Each week it produces 6 new names that pass the same tests. Get Our Top 6 Stocks for Free HERE. Stocks that have made our list include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,326% between June 2020 and June 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Comfort Systems (+782% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.

Quarterly earnings results are a good time to check in on a company’s progress, especially compared to its peers in the same sector. Today we are looking at Nicolet Bankshares (NYSE:NIC) and the best and worst performers in the regional banks industry. Regional banks, financial institutions operating within specific geographic areas, serve as intermediaries between local depositors and borrowers. They benefit from rising interest rates that improve net interest margins (the difference between loan yields and deposit costs), digital transformation reducing operational expenses, and local economic growth driving loan demand. However, these banks face headwinds from fintech competition, deposit outflows to higher-yielding alternatives, credit deterioration (increasing loan defaults) during economic slowdowns, and regulatory compliance costs. Recent concerns about regional bank stability following high-profile failures and significant commercial real estate exposure present additional challenges. The 96 regional banks stocks we track reported a mixed Q4. As a group, revenues were in line with analysts’ consensus estimates. In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady as they are up 1.5% on average since the latest earnings results. Starting as Green Bay Financial Corporation in 2000 before rebranding in 2002, Nicolet Bankshares (NYSE:NIC) is a regional bank holding company that provides commercial, agricultural, and consumer banking services primarily in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota. Nicolet Bankshares reported revenues of $104.4 million, up 12.4% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 3.2%. Overall, it was a strong quarter for the company with a decent beat of analysts’ net interest income and tangible book value per share estimates. Investor expectations, however, were likely higher than Wall Street’s published projections, leaving some wishing for even better results (analysts’ consensus estimates are those published by big banks and advisory firms, not the investors who make buy and sell decisions). The stock is down 6.5% since reporting and currently trades at $144.73. We think Nicolet Bankshares is a good business, but is it a buy today? Read our full report here, it’s free. With roots dating back to 1913 and a name derived from "United Missouri Bank," UMB Financial (NASDAQ:UMBF) is a financial holding company that provides banking, asset management, and fund services to commercial, institutional, and individual customers. UMB Financial reported revenues of $744.8 million, up 29.3% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 5.4%. The business had an exceptional quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS and net interest income estimates. UMB Financial scored the biggest analyst estimate beat among its peers. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 5.6% since reporting. It currently trades at $132.40. Is now the time to buy UMB Financial? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free. Born from the ashes of a failed Florida thrift during the 2009 financial crisis, BankUnited (NYSE:BKU) is a regional bank that provides commercial lending, deposit services, and treasury solutions to businesses and consumers primarily in Florida and the New York metropolitan area. BankUnited reported revenues of $273.8 million, up 6.1% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 5.1%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ net interest income and EPS estimates. The stock is flat since the results and currently trades at $46.86. Read our full analysis of BankUnited’s results here. Tracing its roots back to 1856 when it first opened its doors in Norwich, New York, NBT Bancorp (NASDAQ:NBTB) is a community-oriented financial institution providing banking, wealth management, and insurance services to individuals and businesses across the northeastern United States. NBT Bancorp reported revenues of $184.6 million, up 19.3% year on year. This number came in 0.6% below analysts’ expectations. Overall, it was a slower quarter as it also recorded EPS in line with analysts’ estimates and a slight miss of analysts’ tangible book value per share estimates. The stock is up 2.3% since reporting and currently trades at $46.34. Read our full, actionable report on NBT Bancorp here, it’s free. Originally founded in 1964 as a federal savings and loan institution, OFG Bancorp (NYSE:OFG) provides banking and financial services including commercial and consumer lending, wealth management, insurance, and trust services primarily in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. OFG Bancorp reported revenues of $185.8 million, up 4.2% year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 4.8%. It was an exceptional quarter as it also logged a beat of analysts’ EPS and net interest income estimates. The stock is up 9.4% since reporting and currently trades at $46.55. Read our full, actionable report on OFG Bancorp here, it’s free. Late in 2025 into early 2026, there was hand-wringing around artificial intelligence. For software companies, the fear was that AI would erode pricing power and compress margins as new tools made it easier to replicate what once required expensive enterprise platforms. Crypto investors had their own version of the same anxiety: if AI agents could trade, allocate capital, and manage wallets autonomously, what exactly was the long-term value of today’s crypto infrastructure? These concerns triggered a noticeable rotation away from these sectors and into safer havens. But markets rarely dwell on one narrative for long. Spring 2026 came, and the focus shifted abruptly from technological disruption to geopolitical risk. The US’ conflict with Iran became the dominant driver of market psychology, and when geopolitics takes center stage, the script changes quickly. Investors stop debating growth rates and start worrying about oil supply, inflation, and global stability. Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Hidden Gem Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate. StockStory’s analyst team — all seasoned professional investors — uses quantitative analysis and automation to deliver market-beating insights faster and with higher quality.

Nicolet Bankshares trades at $144.06 per share and has stayed right on track with the overall market, gaining 12.9% over the last six months. At the same time, the S&P 500 has returned 8%. Is now the time to buy NIC? Find out in our full research report, it’s free. Starting as Green Bay Financial Corporation in 2000 before rebranding in 2002, Nicolet Bankshares (NYSE:NIC) is a regional bank holding company that provides commercial, agricultural, and consumer banking services primarily in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota. While banks 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. Nicolet Bankshares’s net interest income has grown at a 21.9% annualized rate over the last five years, much better than the broader banking industry and faster than its total revenue. Net interest margin (NIM) represents the unit economics of a bank by measuring the profitability of its interest-bearing assets relative to its interest-bearing liabilities. It’s a fundamental metric that investors use to assess lending premiums and returns. Over the past two years, Nicolet Bankshares’s net interest margin averaged 3.6%, climbing by 65 basis points (100 basis points = 1 percentage point) over that period. This expansion was a tailwind for its net interest income, and while prevailing interest rates matter the most for industry net interest margins, banks that consistently increase this figure generally boast higher-earning loan books (all else equal such as the risk of those loans) or provide differentiated services that give them the ability to charge higher rates (pricing power). We consider tangible book value per share (TBVPS) the most important metric to track for banks. TBVPS represents the real, liquid net worth per share of a bank, excluding intangible assets that have debatable value upon liquidation. Nicolet Bankshares’s TBVPS increased by 10.2% annually over the last five years, and growth has recently accelerated as TBVPS grew at an excellent 17% annual clip over the past two years (from $43.28 to $59.21 per share). These are just a few reasons why Nicolet Bankshares ranks highly on our list, but at $144.06 per share (or 1.2× forward P/B), is now the right time to buy the stock? See for yourself in our full research report, it’s free. ONE MORE THING: Top 6 Stocks for This Week. This market is separating quality stocks from expensive ones fast. AI is taking down whole sectors with no warning. In a rotation this fast, you need more than a list of good companies. Our AI system flagged Palantir before it ran 1,662%. AppLovin before it ran 753%. Nvidia before it ran 1,178%. Each week it produces 6 new names that pass the same tests. Get Our Top 6 Stocks for Free HERE. Stocks that have made our list include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,326% between June 2020 and June 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Exlservice (+354% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.

Little Falls, New Jersey--(Newsfile Corp. - April 24, 2026) - Alliance Advisors, a leading provider of shareholder engagement and proxy solicitation services, announced the completion of six proxy solicitation campaigns on behalf of regional banks during the first quarter of 2026. The firm supported shareholder voting for four major regional bank mergers across the U.S., delivering strong participation and overwhelming approval from shareholders. Across all transactions, Alliance Advisors achieved an average quorum of 80.5%, with 73.2% of outstanding shares voting in favor of the proposed mergers—underscoring the firm's expertise in guiding complex shareholder communication initiatives. Q1 2026 Regional Bank M&A Engagements Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. completed its $864 million acquisition of MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc., with Alliance Advisors serving as proxy solicitor for Nicolet. Shareholders demonstrated strong support, with a 77% quorum and 69% of outstanding shares voting in favor of the merger. View press release OceanFirst Financial Corp. — in its $579 million all-stock merger with Flushing Financial Corporation —engaged Alliance Advisors as proxy solicitor. The solicitation achieved a 75% quorum, with 71% of outstanding shares voting in favor. View merger details Ballston Spa Bancorp, Inc. and NBC Bancorp, Inc. completed a $50 million strategic merger, with Alliance Advisors representing both sides. Ballston Spa shareholders recorded an 81% quorum with 79% in favor, while NBC shareholders achieved a 77% quorum and 69% approval. Read announcement Farmers National Banc Corp. merged with Middlefield Banc Corp. in a $300 million transaction, with Alliance Advisors managing the proxy solicitations for both institutions. Farmers shareholders reached an 88.24% quorum, and 73% of the outstanding shares vote for the merger. Middlefield shareholders recorded an 85.21% quorum with 78% approval. View release Commitment to Regional Banking and Shareholder Engagement With banking consolidation continuing in 2026, Alliance Advisors remains a trusted partner for regional and community financial institutions navigating shareholder votes tied to strategic mergers, acquisitions, and governance initiatives. Its specialized experience in both institutional investor engagement and retail investor engagement supports clients' success in achieving quorum thresholds and approval margins. About Alliance Advisors Alliance Advisors is a full-service proxy solicitation and corporate advisory firm providing shareholder engagement, governance consulting, and proxy strategy solutions to public companies. In 2025, the firm completed over 1,400 assignments for public companies. Media Contact: W. Sam Chandoha Alliance Advisors Email: [email protected] Website: www.allianceadvisors.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/294063