Commerce Bancshares Inc.’s CBSH third-quarter 2021 earnings per share of $1.05 surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.00. The bottom line, however, declined almost 1% from the prior-year quarter.

Results were primarily supported by an improvement in non-interest income and provision benefit. However, an increase in non-interest expenses, lower net interest income, and a decline in loan balances were the headwinds.

Net income attributable to common shareholders was $122.6 million, down 1.9% year over year.

Revenues & Expenses Rise

Total revenues were $351.5 million, up 1.7% year over year. The top line also beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $343.6 million.

Net interest income was $214 million, down nearly 1% from the prior-year quarter. Net yield on interest-earning assets contracted 39 basis points (bps) to 2.58%.

Non-interest income was $137.5 million, growing 6.1%. The upswing resulted from an increase in all fee income components, except for loan fees and sales, and other fees.

Non-interest expenses increased 10.9% to $211.6 million, primarily due to a rise in all cost components, except for equipment costs.

Efficiency ratio increased to 59.95% from 55.00% in the year-ago quarter. A rise in efficiency ratio indicates deterioration in profitability.

As of Sep 30, 2021, total loans were $15.1 billion, down 3.1% sequentially. Total deposits as of the same date were $28.1 billion, up 2.4%. Total stockholders’ equity was $3.5 billion as of Sep 30, 2021, down modestly.

Credit Quality Improves

Provision for credit losses was a benefit of $7.4 million against a provision of $3.1 million in the prior-year quarter. The ratio of annualized net loan charge-offs to total average loans was 0.10%, down from 0.18% recorded in the year-earlier quarter.

Total non-performing assets as of Sep 30, 2021, were $10.5 million, plunging 73.9% year over year.

Capital & Profitability Ratios Deteriorate

As of Sep 30, 2021, Tier I leverage ratio was 9.31%, down from 9.39% recorded in the year-ago quarter. Tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio declined to 9.71% from the prior-year quarter’s 10.11%.

At the end of the third quarter, return on average assets was 1.40%, down from the year-ago period’s 1.71%. Return on average common equity was 13.74%, down from 15.21% in the prior-year quarter.

Share Repurchase Update

During the quarter, Commerce Bancshares repurchased 0.6 million shares at an average price of $69.80.

Our Take

Commerce Bancshares’ revenues are likely to continue benefiting from a rise in deposit balances and efforts to strengthen fee income sources. However, low interest rates and rising expenses keep hurting its financials.

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Quote

Currently, Commerce Bancshares carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Earnings Release Schedule of Other Banks

Associated Banc-Corp ASB, East West Bancorp, Inc. EWBC, and Bank OZK OZK will announce quarterly numbers on Oct 21.

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Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (CBSH) : Free Stock Analysis Report

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