StockStory Flags Slower Growth and Profitability at Ameris Bancorp

Ameris Bancorp traded at $78.94 as of 15:33 UTC on Oct. 13, down 0.53% since the previous close. StockStory reported that the shares had fallen 5.3% over the prior six months, while the S&P 500 gained 13.5%.

StockStory pointed to the bank’s net interest income growth as one concern. It said the measure rose at an 8.5% annualized rate over five years, slower than the broader banking industry. The growth came from increases in loans and net interest margin, the article said.

The analysis also cited a forecast for the efficiency ratio, which measures non-interest expenses against revenue. Wall Street expects the ratio to rise to 50.4% over the next 12 months, from 49.1% in the past year. A higher ratio indicates less revenue generated per dollar of expense.

StockStory said Ameris Bancorp’s earnings per share were flat over five years, while revenue grew at a 2.1% annualized pace. The publisher argued that this reflected weaker profitability per share as the company expanded. It also noted the shares traded at 1.2 times forward book value in its analysis.