Billionaire Ken Fisher’s 10 Finance Stock Picks with Huge Upside Potential

8. SouthState Corporation (NASDAQ:SSB)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 25

Upside Potential: 41.82%

SouthState Corporation (NASDAQ:SSB) provides banking services to retail and commercial clients across the Southeast via its SouthState Bank segment. It offers commercial loans, deposit products, treasury management, wealth advisory, and correspondent banking in fast-growing markets. With a careful approach to finances and smart buyouts, it has caught the eye of value investors and is included in the Ken Fisher Stock Portfolio.

For Q4 ended December 31, 2024, SouthState Corporation (NASDAQ:SSB) showed strong results as pre-provision revenue jumped 9%, while total revenue climbed 6%. Its interest margin improved to 3.48%, boosting interest income by $18 million compared to the previous quarter. Throughout 2024, loans increased by 5% and deposits rose by 3%. Furthermore, the company’s non-interest income hit $80 million in Q4, while it improved efficiency by 140 basis points to 54.4%. In addition, return on assets reached 1.27% for the quarter.

Moreover, SouthState Corporation (NASDAQ:SSB) bought Independent Financial on January 1, 2025, which was earlier than planned. It expects to save $45 million this year through the deal, reaching $90 million in savings by 2026. SouthState also sold and leased back 170 branches, freeing up $225 million for growth opportunities.

Looking ahead, SouthState Corporation (NASDAQ:SSB) expects its net interest margin (NIM) to increase to 3.75%-3.85% by late 2025, with steady mid-single-digit loan growth. It is also pushing to expand in key markets, such as Florida, Texas, and the Carolinas, while cutting expenses to around $340-350 million by the end of 2025. The company is included in the Ken Fisher Stock Portfolio, as it boasts investor faith in its approach to growth and financial strength.