Based on key financial metrics such as the price-to-sales ratio, shareholder yield and the price-earnings ratio, the following 7 stocks made the list for top value stocks in the Banks industry. Those looking for value stocks to add to their portfolio may want to use this list as a starting point for further investment research.

Why Focus on Undervalued Banks Stocks?

Value investors seek to buy stocks at a discount to their intrinsic value. Long-term returns show that such strategies are advantageous. Value stocks, as a group, tend to outperform growth stocks over extended periods of time. Typically, value investors perform financial analysis of numerous metrics, don’t follow the herd and are long-term investors.

AAII’s A+ Investor Value Grade is derived from a stock’s Value Score. The Value Score is the percentile rank of the average of the percentile ranks of the price-to-sales ratio, price-earnings ratio, enterprise-value-to-EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) ratio, shareholder yield, price-to-book-value ratio and price-to-free-cash-flow ratio. The score is variable, meaning it can consider all six ratios or, should any of the six ratios not be valid, the remaining ratios that are valid. To be assigned a Value Score, stocks must have a valid (non-null) ratio and corresponding ranking for at least two of the six valuation ratios.

What Goes Into AAII’s Value Grade?

Stock evaluation requires access to huge amounts of data as well as the knowledge and time to sift through it all, make sense of financial ratios, read income statements and analyze recent stock movement. AAII created A+ Investor, a robust data suite that condenses data research in an actionable and customizable way suitable for investors of all knowledge levels, to help investors with that task.

AAII’s proprietary stock grades come with A+ Investor. These offer intuitive A–F grades for more than just value. It is possible for a stock to appear cheap based on one valuation metric but appear expensive on another. It is also possible for one valuation ratio to be associated with outperforming stocks during certain periods of time but not others. Some stocks may even have null values for certain metrics like the price-earnings ratio or the price-to-book ratio but not others. An example of this would be a company with losses instead of profits or a negative book value because of heavy borrowing. Negative earnings or book value result in non-meaningful ratios that are left blank or null.

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7 Undervalued Banks Stocks

Of course, there are countless value stocks that are worth mentioning, but this is a concise list of the top 7 undervalued stocks in the Banks industry for Thursday, June 06, 2024. Let’s take a closer look at their individual scores to see how they measure up against each other and the Banks industry median.

The Value Grade is assigned based on how each stock’s composite valuation compares to all other stocks.

The process for assigning grades starts with each variable for a given stock. The percentile rankings for all valid ratios that a stock has are calculated. So, for instance, a stock could have a price-to-book ranking in the 43rd percentile, a price-earnings ranking in the 67th percentile, a price-to-sales ranking in the 23rd percentile, etc. Then, those rankings are averaged for each stock. (A minimum of two valid variables are required, though all six will be used if available.)

Once the average of the individual variables is calculated, that average is ranked against all stocks. Put another way, each stock’s composite valuation is compared to all other stocks. These ranks are then sorted into quintiles from the cheapest 20% (a grade of A) to the most expensive 20% (a grade of F).

As always, we recommend that you conduct proper due diligence and research before investing in any security. We also suggest that investors utilize numerous grades, not just value, when it comes to deciding whether a company is a good fit for their allocation needs.

Choiceone Financial Services Inc’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. is a financial holding company of ChoiceOne Bank (the Bank). The Company's subsidiary, ChoiceOne Bank is a full-service banking institution that offers a range of deposit, payment, credit, and other financial services to all types of customers. Its services include time, savings, demand deposits, safe deposit services and automated transaction machine services. The Bank offers both commercial and consumer loans to corporations, partnerships, and individuals. Its commercial lending covers categories, such as business, industry, agricultural, construction, inventory, and real estate. The Bank's consumer loan department makes direct and indirect loans to consumers and purchasers of residential and real property. In addition, the Bank offers trust and wealth management services. The Bank's primary market area lies within Kent, Muskegon, Newaygo and Ottawa counties in western Michigan and Lapeer, Macomb, and St. Clair counties in southeastern Michigan.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

Choiceone Financial Services Inc has a Value Score of 93, which is considered to be undervalued.

When you look at Choiceone Financial Services Inc’s price-to-sales ratio at 1.83 compared to the industry median at 1.80, this company has a higher price relative to revenue compared to its peers. This could make Choiceone Financial Services Inc’s stock less attractive for value investors.

Choiceone Financial Services Inc’s price-earnings ratio is 9.17 compared to the industry median at 10.01. This means it has a lower share price relative to earnings compared to its peers. This could make Choiceone Financial Services Inc more attractive for value investors.

Now, let’s assess Choiceone Financial Services Inc’s EV/EBITDA ratio, also known as enterprise multiple. At 1.8, when compared to the industry median of 6.4, the company may be considered undervalued in relation to its peers. Value investors could use the enterprise multiple to identify stocks that are considered overvalued or undervalued relative to their industry.

Shareholder yield is the sum of a stock’s dividend yield (paid over previous 12 months minus special dividends) and the percentage of net share buybacks over the previous 12 months. Choiceone Financial Services Inc’s shareholder yield is higher than its industry median ratio of 3.57%. Value investors may look for an attractive shareholder yield because it can be a powerful tool for identifying if the company has a good management team.

As one of the most common value metrics, the price-to-book ratio evaluates a company’s current market price relative to its book value. Choiceone Financial Services Inc’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its industry median ratio of 0.88. This could make Choiceone Financial Services Inc less attractive to investors looking for a new addition to their portfolio.

Lastly, let’s take a look at Choiceone Financial Services Inc’s price-to-free-cash-flow ratio (P/FCF), which can indicate a company’s market value relative to its operating cash flow. Choiceone Financial Services Inc’s price-to-free-cash-flow ratio is lower than its industry median ratio of 11.07. This could make Choiceone Financial Services Inc more attractive because the lower P/FCF ratio indicates that Choiceone Financial Services Inc is undervalued. The P/FCF ratio metric can also be viewed over a long-term time frame to see if the company's cash flow to share price value is generally improving or worsening.

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is a diversified regional bank holding company. The Company, through its bank subsidiary, Huntington National Bank and its subsidiaries (the Bank), provides consumers, small and middle-market businesses, corporations, municipalities, and other organizations with a comprehensive suite of banking, payments, wealth management, and risk management products and services. Its Consumer & Regional Banking segment provides an array of financial products and services to consumer and business customers including, but not limited to, deposits, lending, payments, mortgage banking, dealer financing, investment management, trust, brokerage, insurance, and other financial products and services. Its Commercial Banking segment provides expertise through bankers, capabilities, and digital channels, which include a comprehensive set of product offerings. Its target clients span from mid-market to large corporates across a national footprint.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated has a Value Score of 75, which is considered to be undervalued.

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated’s price-earnings ratio is 12.1 compared to the industry median at 10.0. This means that it has a higher price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Huntington Bancshares Incorporated less attractive for value investors.

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its peers. This could make Huntington Bancshares Incorporated more attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 0.88.

You can read more about Huntington Bancshares Incorporated’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.

Marathon Bancorp Inc’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Marathon Bancorp, Inc. is a mutual bank holding company with a wholly owned banking subsidiary, Marathon Bank (the Bank). The Bank offers traditional banking services, as well as specializing in commercial banking and mortgage banking services. Marathon Bank provides traditional deposit services, such as checking, savings, money market, certificates of deposit and individual retirement accounts. In addition, it offers residential, commercial and construction loans, mortgages, home equity loans and small business loans. Its suite of business banking services includes cash management products, deposit accounts and feature-rich online services. The Bank operates as a full-service financial institution with a primary market area, including Marathon County and Ozaukee County, Wisconsin. Its primary lending products are commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, construction, one-to-four-family residential, multi-family real estate and consumer loans.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

Marathon Bancorp Inc has a Value Score of 62, which is considered to be undervalued.

Marathon Bancorp Inc’s price-earnings ratio is 74.1 compared to the industry median at 10.0. This means that it has a higher price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Marathon Bancorp Inc less attractive for value investors.

Marathon Bancorp Inc’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Marathon Bancorp Inc less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 0.88.

You can read more about Marathon Bancorp Inc’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.

Orrstown Financial Services Inc’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Orrstown Financial Services, Inc. is a financial holding company for its wholly owned subsidiary Orrstown Bank (the Bank). The Company provides banking and financial advisory services located in south central Pennsylvania, principally in Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Perry and York Counties, Pennsylvania, and in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard and Washington Counties, Maryland, as well as Baltimore City, Maryland. The Company’s lending area also includes adjacent counties in Pennsylvania and Maryland, as well as Loudon County, Virginia and Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan Counties, West Virginia. The Bank operates in the community banking segment and engages in lending activities, including commercial, residential, commercial mortgages, construction, municipal, and various forms of consumer lending and deposit services, including checking, savings, time, and money market deposits. The Bank also provides fiduciary, investment advisory, insurance, and brokerage services.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

Orrstown Financial Services Inc has a Value Score of 91, which is considered to be undervalued.

Orrstown Financial Services Inc’s price-earnings ratio is 7.6 compared to the industry median at 10.0. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Orrstown Financial Services Inc more attractive for value investors.

Orrstown Financial Services Inc’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its peers. This could make Orrstown Financial Services Inc more attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 0.88.

You can read more about Orrstown Financial Services Inc’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.

Preferred Bank’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Preferred Bank is an independent commercial bank focusing primarily on the California market. The Bank provides a range of financial services. The Bank offers a range of deposit and loan products and services to both commercial and consumer customers. The Bank provides personalized deposit services as well as real estate finance, commercial loans and trade finance to small and mid-sized businesses, entrepreneurs, real estate developers, professionals, and high net worth individuals. The Bank conducts its banking business from its main office in Los Angeles, California, and through 11 full-service branch banking offices in California (Alhambra, Century City, City of Industry, Torrance, Arcadia, Irvine, Diamond Bar, Pico Rivera, Tarzana, and San Francisco) and one branch in Flushing, New York. In addition, the Bank operates a loan production office in the Houston, Texas suburb of Sugar Land. Its business activities come from the mainstream markets of Southern and Northern California.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

Preferred Bank has a Value Score of 92, which is considered to be undervalued.

Preferred Bank’s price-earnings ratio is 7.1 compared to the industry median at 10.0. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Preferred Bank more attractive for value investors.

Preferred Bank’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its peers. This could make Preferred Bank more attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 0.88.

You can read more about Preferred Bank’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.

Provident Financial Services, Inc.’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Provident Financial Services, Inc. is a holding company for The Provident Bank (the Bank). The Bank is a community-oriented financial institution that provides an array of financial products and business and retail services through its network of branches throughout northern and central New Jersey, Bucks, Lehigh and Northampton counties in Pennsylvania, as well as Orange, Queens and Nassau Counties in New York. Its business services include commercial loans and lines of credit, commercial real estate loans, loans for healthcare services, asset-based lending, equipment financing, small business loans, and lines and cash management services. Its consumer services include online and mobile banking, home equity loans and lines, and mortgage options. It also provides fiduciary and wealth management services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Beacon Trust Company, and insurance brokerage services through its subsidiary, Provident Protection Plus, Inc. It operates over 140 branches.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

Provident Financial Services, Inc. has a Value Score of 92, which is considered to be undervalued.

Provident Financial Services, Inc.’s price-earnings ratio is 8.6 compared to the industry median at 10.0. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Provident Financial Services, Inc. more attractive for value investors.

Provident Financial Services, Inc.’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Provident Financial Services, Inc. less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 0.88.

You can read more about Provident Financial Services, Inc.’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.

PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING CO’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Prime Meridian Holding Company is a bank holding company for Prime Meridian Bank (the Bank). The Company’s operation consists of owning the stock of the Bank. The Bank provides a range of consumer and commercial banking services to individuals and businesses. Its electronic banking services include mobile banking, remote deposit, mobile deposit, Apple Pay, Bank-to-Bank transfers and online banking. The Bank offers basic services that include demand interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing accounts, savings accounts, money-market deposit accounts, health savings accounts (HSA), negotiable order of withdrawal (NOW) accounts, time deposits, safe deposit services, wire transfers, foreign exchange services, escrow accounts, debit cards, direct deposits, notary services, night depository, official checks, domestic collections, bank drafts, automated teller services, drive-in tellers, banking by mail, credit cards through a third party, and merchant card services with a third party.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING CO has a Value Score of 81, which is considered to be undervalued.

PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING CO’s price-earnings ratio is 8.9 compared to the industry median at 10.0. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING CO more attractive for value investors.

PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING CO’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its peers. This could make PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING CO fairly attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 0.88.

You can read more about PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING CO’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.

Other Banks Stock Grades

Value is just one of the five Stock Grades included in our A+ Investor service. AAII members can see the top-graded stocks—those with grades of A or B for value, growth, momentum, earnings estimate revisions and quality—on the A+ Stock Grades Screener.

Also, if you want full access to all of AAII’s premium services, you can subscribe to one convenient bundled plan called AAII Platinum where you can try out A+ Investor, AAII Dividend Investing, the Stock Superstars Report, Growth Investing and VMQ Stocks. With the other premium services, you can dive deep into additional metrics, portfolios, commentary and information about Banks stocks as well as other industrys.

Choosing Which of the 7 Best Banks Stocks Is Right for You

Choosing which value stocks to invest in will ultimately depend on your individual goals and allocation; however, comparing similar value stocks in the same industry can help you analyze which might be better investments for you in the long run. So, let’s take a look at the Value Grade for all of our stocks.

• Choiceone Financial Services Inc stock has a Value Grade of A.
• Huntington Bancshares Incorporated stock has a Value Grade of B.
• Marathon Bancorp Inc stock has a Value Grade of B.
• Orrstown Financial Services Inc stock has a Value Grade of A.
• Preferred Bank stock has a Value Grade of A.
• Provident Financial Services, Inc. stock has a Value Grade of A.
• PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING CO stock has a Value Grade of A.

Now that you have a bit more background about each of the 7 undervalued stocks in the Banks industry as well as their overall grades, it’s time for you to conduct additional research to see if these could fit your portfolio needs based on your goals and risk tolerance. AAII can help you figure out both and identify which investments align with what works best for you.

We do so through a program of education that teaches you to invest for yourself and become an effective manager of your own wealth—no more relying on others for your financial independence. You can rely on AAII for timeless articles on financial planning and stock-picking, unbiased research and actionable analysis that makes you a better investor.

A+ Investor adds to that qualitative teaching by giving you a powerful data suite that helps you whittle down investment decisions to find stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or mutual funds that meet your needs.

Additional Resources About Banks Stocks

Want to learn more about Banks stocks to see if they could be the right investment for you? Check out some additional resources and articles to help you on your financial journey.

• 7 Undervalued Banks Stocks for Thursday, June 06
• Which Is a Better Investment, Banco Bbva Argentina SA (ADR) or East West Bancorp Inc Stock?
• 6 Undervalued Banks Stocks for Wednesday, June 05
• Why Inter & Co Inc’s (INTR) Stock Is Up 5.14%

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