We recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Bank Penny Stocks to Buy Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASRV) stands against the other bank penny stocks.
The US banking sector in 2024 faces various challenges and opportunities. Although the industry has recovered from the bank failures of early 2023, it now deals with a slower economy, tighter regulations, and the possibility of interest rate cuts, all of which present risks for the sector.
In the past year, the US banking sector observed the collapse of a couple of well-known banks, which led to uncertainty in regional bank stocks. When considering the broader context, last year’s bank closures were not particularly notable in terms of quantity. The year’s total of five closures pales in comparison to 2009 and 2010, which saw 140 and 157 closures, respectively. However, 2023 stood out due to the substantial total assets of the affected institutions, primarily driven by the significant sizes of First Republic Bank, Silicon Valley Bank, and Signature Bank.
The banks were also heavily funded by uninsured deposits, as a significant portion of their customers held deposits exceeding the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000. This increased their risk during sector volatility. Despite these closures and the following instability, many bank stocks regained stability and ended 2023 with positive returns.
The economic outlook indicates slower growth and the possibility of a rate cut in 2024. This may result in a dip in bank profitability, although it is expected to remain strong, with an anticipated return on common equity ranging from 10% to 11%. Moreover, asset quality is predicted to weaken but should remain manageable, with strong pre-provision earnings providing support.
There are economic risks to consider, including the potential for a recession if the Federal Reserve is not careful enough with rate cuts, as well as the persistent threat of inflation that could result in prolonged high rates. Moreover, credit card charge-offs are anticipated to rise. However, banks with more diversified deposit bases and fewer uninsured deposits are less likely to face high risks as compared to those with more uninsured deposits. Regulatory changes, including the finalization of new capital and resolution requirements, may be implemented in 2024 in response to the banking failures of the previous year.
Despite these challenges, the banking sector is expected to maintain strong profitability and capital buildup, aided by a potentially more favorable rate environment later in the year. Moreover, there are potential investment opportunities in regional banks perceived as undervalued. With this context in mind, let’s take a look at the best bank penny stocks to buy now.
Our Methodology
To compile a list of the 10 best bank penny stocks to buy, we conducted an in-depth analysis. Our first step was to identify banks with share prices below $5. To assess their investment potential, we examined the number of hedge fund investors in these banks during Q1 2024. We used Insider Monkey’s database of over 900 hedge funds to rank the best bank penny stocks according to the hedge fund sentiment.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).
A bustling city street with a line of customers waiting to use an automated bank teller machine.
AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASRV)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 3
AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASRV), established in 1983 and headquartered in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, acts as a bank holding company for AmeriServ Financial Bank. It caters to both individuals and businesses, offering a comprehensive suite of financial products and services. Moreover, AmeriServ offers specialized investment options for union pension funds.
AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASRV) reported positive first-quarter results for 2024, highlighting a 25.7% increase in net income to $1.9 million compared to the same period in 2023. Earnings per share also rose to $0.11 from $0.09. This improvement can be credited to the company’s cost-cutting measures and strong performance in the wealth management business segment. AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASRV) announced a dividend of $0.03 per share in April end. The company’s forward annual dividend yield stands at 5.31%.
As of Q1 2024, 3 hedge funds are bullish on AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASRV). Tontine Asset Management was the leading hedge fund investor in the company, with a stake worth over $3.5 million. The hedge fund increased its stake in AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASRV) by 10% during the quarter.
Overall ASRV ranks 9th on our list of the best bank penny stocks to buy. You can visit 10 Best Bank Penny Stocks to Buy Now to see the other bank penny stocks that are on hedge funds’ radar. While we acknowledge the potential of ASRV as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than ASRV but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.