PRK

Park National (PRK) could be a solid addition to your portfolio given a notable revision in the company's earnings estimates. While the stock has been gaining lately, the trend might continue since its earnings outlook is still improving. Analysts' growing optimism on the earnings prospects of this financial services holding company is driving estimates higher, which should get reflected in its stock price. After all, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements. Our stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is principally built on this insight. The five-grade Zacks Rank system, which ranges from a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record of outperformance, with Zacks #1 Ranked stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 2008. Consensus earnings estimates for the next quarter and full year have moved considerably higher for Park National, as there has been strong agreement among the covering analysts in raising estimates. The chart below shows the evolution of forward 12-month Zacks Consensus EPS estimate: The company is expected to earn $3.32 per share for the current quarter, which represents a year-over-year change of +15.7%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Park National has increased 5.5% because two estimates have moved higher compared to no negative revisions. The company is expected to earn $13.08 per share for the full year, which represents a change of +16.2% from the prior-year number. The revisions trend for the current year also appears quite promising for Park National, with two estimates moving higher over the past month compared to no negative revisions. The consensus estimate has also received a boost over this time frame, increasing 5.57%. Thanks to promising estimate revisions, Park National currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The Zacks Rank is a tried-and-tested rating tool that helps investors effectively harness the power of earnings estimate revisions and make the right investment decision.You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Our research shows that stocks with Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and 2 (Buy) significantly outperform the S&P 500. Park National shares have added 11.7% over the past four weeks, suggesting that investors are betting on its impressive estimate revisions. So, you may consider adding it to your portfolio right away to benefit from its earnings growth prospects. 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 Park National Corporation (PRK) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

NEWARK, Ohio, July 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Park National Corporation (Park) (NYSE American: PRK) today reported financial results for the second quarter and the first half of 2026. Park's board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.10 per common share, payable on September 10, 2026, to common shareholders of record as of August 21, 2026. Park’s net income for the second quarter of 2026 was $58.8 million, a 22.1 percent increase from $48.1 million for the second quarter of 2025. The second quarter of 2026 included $4.1 million ($3.3 million after tax) in expenses related to the merger with First Citizens Bancshares, Inc. Second quarter 2026 net income per diluted common share was $3.23, compared to $2.97 for the second quarter of 2025. Park's net income for the first half of 2026 was $100.4 million, an 11.3 percent increase from $90.3 million for the first half of 2025. The first half of 2026 included $19.6 million ($15.5 million after tax) in merger related expenses. Net income per diluted common share for the first half of 2026 was $5.64, compared to $5.56 for the first half of 2025. “Our second quarter results reflect the strength of our relationship-based banking model, disciplined execution and commitment to serving customers and communities,” said Park CEO and President Matthew R. Miller. “Our teams are making exceptional progress toward the third-quarter First Citizens systems conversion, an important partnership milestone that will enhance our ability to serve customers and support our long-term growth strategy. I am grateful to our colleagues for their dedication, our customers for their trust and our shareholders for their continued confidence as we strive to increase value for all stakeholders.” Park’s total loans increased $1.68 billion, or 20.9 percent, during 2026. The increase to total loans included $1.58 billion in loans acquired through the First Citizens transaction. Park's total deposits increased $2.43 billion, or 29.4 percent, during 2026, with an increase of 27.8 percent including off balance sheet deposits. The increase in total deposits included $2.22 billion in deposits acquired through the First Citizens transaction. The combination of solid loan growth and steady deposits contributed to Park's success in 2026. “Our success begins with our colleagues. Their professionalism, teamwork and commitment to others reflect the very best of Park. While serving customers and communities each day, they are simultaneously working to ensure we execute the best conversion possible,” said Park Chairman David L. Trautman. “We look forward to fully welcoming our Tennessee colleagues and customers and deepening the relationships that help communities flourish.” Headquartered in Newark, Ohio, Park National Corporation has $12.7 billion in total assets (as of June 30, 2026). Park's banking operations are conducted through its subsidiary, The Park National Bank. Other Park subsidiaries are Scope Leasing, Inc. (d.b.a. Scope Aircraft Finance), Park Investments, Inc., Park National Holdings, Inc., First Citizens Properties, Inc., First Citizens Risk Management, Inc., and SE Property Holdings, LLC. Complete financial tables are listed below. Category: Earnings SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995 Park cautions that any forward-looking statements contained in this news release or made by management of Park are provided to assist in the understanding of anticipated future financial performance. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations or forecasts of future events and are not guarantees of future performance. The forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those described in Park's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, as updated by our filings with the SEC. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ include, without limitation: (1) the ability to execute our business plan successfully and manage strategic initiatives; (2) the impact of current and future economic and financial market conditions, including unemployment rates, inflation, interest rates, supply-demand imbalances, and geopolitical matters; (3) factors impacting the performance of our loan portfolio, including real estate values, financial health of borrowers, and loan concentrations; (4) the effects of monetary and fiscal policies, including interest rates, money supply, and inflation; (5) changes in federal, state, or local tax laws; (6) the impact of changes in governmental policy and regulatory requirements on our operations; (7) changes in consumer spending, borrowing, and saving habits; (8) changes in the performance and creditworthiness of customers, suppliers, and counterparties; (9) increased credit risk and higher credit losses due to loan concentrations; (10) volatility in mortgage banking income due to interest rates and demand; (11) adequacy of our internal controls and risk management programs; (12) competitive pressures among financial services organizations; (13) uncertainty regarding changes in banking regulations and other regulatory requirements; (14) our ability to meet heightened supervisory requirements and expectations; (15) the impact of changes in accounting policies and practices on our financial condition; (16) the reliability and accuracy of assumptions and estimates used in applying critical accounting estimates; (17) the potential for higher future credit losses due to changes in economic assumptions; (18) the ability to anticipate and respond to technological changes and our reliance on third-party vendors; (19) operational issues related to and capital spending necessitated by the implementation of information technology systems on which we are highly dependent; (20) the ability to secure confidential information and deliver products and services through computer systems and telecommunications networks; (21) the impact of security breaches or failures in operational systems; (22) the impact of geopolitical instability and trade policies on our operations including the imposition of tariffs and retaliatory tariffs; (23) the impact of changes in credit ratings of government debt and financial stability of sovereign governments; (24) the effect of stock market price fluctuations on our asset and wealth management businesses; (25) litigation and regulatory compliance exposure; (26) availability of earnings and excess capital for dividend declarations; (27) the impact of fraud, scams, and schemes on our business; (28) the impact of natural disasters, pandemics, and other emergencies on our operations; (29) potential deterioration of the economy due to financial, political, or other shocks; (30) impact of healthcare laws and potential changes on our costs and operations; (31) the ability to grow deposits and maintain adequate deposit levels, including by mitigating the effect of unexpected deposit outflows on our financial condition; (32) risks related to the completed acquisition of First Citizens, including the possibility that anticipated benefits are not realized as expected, including the realization of anticipated cost savings and revenue generation, difficulties integrating the two companies, and potential adverse reactions to customer, business, or employee relationships; and (33) other risk factors related to the banking industry. Park does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to publicly release the results of any revisions that may be made to update any forward-looking statement to reflect the events or circumstances after the date on which the forward-looking statement was made, or reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except to the extent required by law. CONTACT: Media contact: Michelle Hamilton, 740-349-6014, [email protected] Investor contact: Brady Burt, 740-322-6844, [email protected]

Park National (PRK) came out with quarterly earnings of $3.4 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.01 per share. This compares to earnings of $2.9 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +12.96%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this financial services holding company would post earnings of $2.66 per share when it actually produced earnings of $3.06, delivering a surprise of +15.04%. Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times. Park National, which belongs to the Zacks Banks - Midwest industry, posted revenues of $178.4 million for the quarter ended June 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.67%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $141.18 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four 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. Park National shares have added about 23.9% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 8.3%. While Park National 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 Park National was unfavorable. 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 #4 (Sell) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to underperform 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 $3.19 on $170.84 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $12.39 on $669.05 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 - Midwest is currently in the top 29% 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. One other stock from the same industry, First Busey (BUSE), is yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2026. The results are expected to be released on July 28. This bank holding company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.65 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +3.2%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. First Busey's revenues are expected to be $197.4 million, down 0.3% 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 Park National Corporation (PRK) : Free Stock Analysis Report First Busey Corporation (BUSE) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Independent Bank (IBCP) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.9 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.85 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.81 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +5.88%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this bank holding company would post earnings of $0.79 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.81, delivering a surprise of +2.53%. Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times. Independent Bank, which belongs to the Zacks Banks - Midwest industry, posted revenues of $63.24 million for the quarter ended June 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.63%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $55.94 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. Independent Bank shares have added about 10.7% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 9.6%. While Independent Bank 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 Independent Bank 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 $0.94 on $66.5 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $3.55 on $252.65 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 - Midwest is currently in the top 34% 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, Park National (PRK), has yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2026. This financial services holding company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $3.01 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +3.8%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.4% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. Park National's revenues are expected to be $167.24 million, up 18.5% 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 Independent Bank Corporation (IBCP) : Free Stock Analysis Report Park National Corporation (PRK) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Wall Street expects a year-over-year increase in earnings on lower revenues when First Busey (BUSE) reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates. The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 28. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower. While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise. This bank holding company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.65 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +3.2%. Revenues are expected to be $197.4 million, down 0.3% 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 the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change. 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 First Busey, 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 +1.39%. On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2. So, this combination indicates that First Busey 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 First Busey would post earnings of $0.57 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.67, delivering a surprise of +17.54%. Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four 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. First Busey 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. Another stock from the Zacks Banks - Midwest industry, Park National (PRK), is soon expected to post earnings of $3.01 per share for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +3.8%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $167.24 million, up 18.5% from the year-ago quarter. The consensus EPS estimate for Park National has been revised 0.4% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a higher Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +1.94%. This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Park National will beat the consensus EPS estimate. The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. 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 First Busey Corporation (BUSE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Park National Corporation (PRK) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

The market expects Park National (PRK) 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 is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates. 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 management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise. This financial services holding company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $3.01 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +3.8%. Revenues are expected to be $167.24 million, up 18.5% from the year-ago quarter. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.42% lower 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 the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change. 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 Park National, 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 +1.94%. On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #4. So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Park National 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 Park National would post earnings of $2.66 per share when it actually produced earnings of $3.06, delivering a surprise of +15.04%. Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four 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. Park National 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. Another stock from the Zacks Banks - Midwest industry, Independent Bank (IBCP), is soon expected to post earnings of $0.85 per share for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +4.9%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $59.87 million, up 7% from the year-ago quarter. Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for Independent Bank has been revised 2.7% up to the current level. Nevertheless, the company now has an Earnings ESP of +0.30%, reflecting a higher Most Accurate Estimate. This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), suggests that Independent Bank will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. 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 Park National Corporation (PRK) : Free Stock Analysis Report Independent Bank Corporation (IBCP) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Make better investment decisions with Simply Wall St's easy, visual tools that give you a competitive edge. Park National (PRK) has drawn fresh attention after reporting first quarter 2026 results that paired higher net interest income with slightly lower earnings per share, alongside a reaffirmed quarterly cash dividend of $1.10 per share. See our latest analysis for Park National. At a share price of $173.26, Park National has seen a 12.27% year-to-date share price return and an 11.80% one-year total shareholder return. The very large three-year total shareholder return of 81.19% suggests momentum has been building as investors digest steady earnings, higher net charge-offs and the reaffirmed dividend. If this kind of steady banking story has you thinking about what else is moving, it can be useful to widen your search and uncover 17 top founder-led companies With earnings per share dipping while net interest income, returns and an implied intrinsic discount are all in focus, the key question for you is simple: is Park National undervalued or already pricing in future growth? Park National is trading on a P/E of 17.5x, a level that sits above both its estimated fair P/E of 13.2x and the wider US Banks industry average of 11.4x. The P/E ratio compares the current share price to earnings per share, so a higher multiple usually reflects the market paying more for each dollar of earnings. For a bank like Park National, this often connects to expectations around future earnings growth, perceived earnings quality and the stability of the dividend. Here, the current multiple lines up with a few moving parts. Earnings have grown 2.2% per year over the past 5 years, with 13.4% growth in the most recent year, and forecasts point to further earnings growth of 14.6% per year. At the same time, the company is described as having high quality earnings, net profit margins of 31.3% compared with 30.7% last year, and a dividend yield of 2.54% that is considered reliable. Those features help explain why the market might be comfortable assigning a premium P/E, even though forecast earnings and revenue growth are both flagged as slower than the wider US market and the Banks industry. Against the US Banks industry, the contrast is clear. Park National trades on a 17.5x P/E compared with an industry average of 11.4x, and above an estimated fair P/E of 13.2x that the market could potentially move toward if expectations cool. That combination points to investors paying up compared with both peers and the modelled fair level. Explore the SWS fair ratio for Park National Result: Price-to-earnings of 17.5x (OVERVALUED) However, you also need to weigh risks such as higher net charge offs and any change in dividend reliability, as these could quickly challenge this premium valuation story. Find out about the key risks to this Park National narrative. The P/E ratio paints Park National as expensive, but our DCF model points the other way. With the shares at $173.26 and an estimated future cash flow value of $236.54, the stock screens as trading about 26.8% below that level. This raises a different question for you. Look into how the SWS DCF model arrives at its fair value. Simply Wall St performs a discounted cash flow (DCF) on every stock in the world every day (check out Park National for example). We show the entire calculation in full. You can track the result in your watchlist or portfolio and be alerted when this changes, or use our stock screener to discover 50 high quality undervalued stocks. If you save a screener we even alert you when new companies match - so you never miss a potential opportunity. The mix of premium P/E and discounted DCF will not feel the same to every investor, so it makes sense to move quickly, review the underlying data yourself and weigh up the 4 key rewards If Park National has sharpened your focus, do not stop here. Broaden your watchlist with focused stock ideas that match the way you like to invest. Target potential mispricing by scanning for quality companies trading below modeled value through the 50 high quality undervalued stocks. Strengthen your income stream by pinpointing companies with robust payouts using the 13 dividend fortresses. Prioritise resilience by zeroing in on companies with steadier profiles via the 69 resilient stocks with low risk scores. 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 PRK. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email [email protected]

Park National (PRK) came out with quarterly earnings of $3.06 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.66 per share. This compares to earnings of $2.57 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +15.25%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this financial services holding company would post earnings of $2.77 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.93, delivering a surprise of +5.78%. Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times. Park National, which belongs to the Zacks Banks - Midwest industry, posted revenues of $159.51 million for the quarter ended March 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.45%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $130.12 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four 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. Park National shares have added about 13.8% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 3.8%. While Park National 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 Park National was favorable. 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 #2 (Buy) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to outperform 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 $2.97 on $168.24 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $12.07 on $667.63 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 - Midwest is currently in the top 31% 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, FirstSun Capital (FSUN), has yet to report results for the quarter ended March 2026. The results are expected to be released on April 27. This company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.90 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +8.4%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. FirstSun Capital's revenues are expected to be $109.45 million, up 12.4% 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 Park National Corporation (PRK) : Free Stock Analysis Report FirstSun Capital Bancorp (FSUN) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research