Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. (NIC) AI Stock Analysis
NIC AI stock analysis summary
AI ResearchNicolet Bankshares, Inc. (NIC) is a regional bank holding company operating Nicolet National Bank across Wisconsin and Michigan. In FY2025, the company delivered $552.6M in revenue, $150.7M in net income, and generated $149.4M in free cash flow. Over the past year, the stock returned 35.2%, outpacing the S&P 500 (SPY) return of 16.8%.
- Market cap
- $3.43B
- Revenue (TTM)
- $510.2M
- P/E
- 18.3x fwd 14.8x
- 1Y return
- 35.2% S&P 500 16.8%
- Avg. target
- $191.80 17.1% vs last close
Bull case
- Quarterly revenue expanded 86.1% year-over-year in the period ended June 30, 2026.
- The company maintains a solid balance sheet with $60.7M in net cash and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04 as of June 30, 2026.
- Free cash flow reached $149.4M in FY2025, supporting $89.3M in share buybacks and $18.7M in dividends paid.
Bear case
- At 18.3x trailing earnings, the stock trades at a premium to the median of its US-listed Financial Services peers of 12.1x.
- Annual revenue growth slowed from 24.6% in FY2024 to 6.4% in FY2025.
- The stock offers a dividend yield of 0.83%, which is paired with a payout ratio of 12.2%.
What Nicolet Bankshares does
Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. serves as the holding company for Nicolet National Bank, a financial institution established in 2000 and headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Operating through 52 branches across Wisconsin and Michigan, the bank provides banking products and services to businesses and individuals. Offerings include checking, savings, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, and individual retirement accounts. The company also delivers tailored lending solutions spanning commercial loans, commercial real estate financing, agricultural loans, construction financing, residential mortgages, and home equity lines of credit, alongside wealth management and retirement planning.
Growth and profitability
Between FY2021 and FY2025, revenue grew from $239.1M to $552.6M, representing a 5-year revenue CAGR of 21.0%. Net income rose from $60.7M in FY2021 to $150.7M in FY2025, with net margin improving from 25.4% to 27.3% over the same period. For FY2025, operating margin reached 33.8% and diluted EPS was $9.84. Over the trailing twelve months, revenue was $510.2M with a 52.9% operating margin and a 30.2% profit margin. In the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, quarterly revenue growth was 86.1% year-over-year, while quarterly earnings growth was 12.0%.
Balance sheet and cash flow
As of June 30, 2026, Nicolet Bankshares held $153.5M in cash and short-term investments against total debt of $92.8M, resulting in net cash of $60.7M. Shareholders' equity stood at $2.27B against total assets of $15.41B, yielding a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04. In FY2025, the company generated $153.5M in operating cash flow and $149.4M in free cash flow, deploying $4.1M toward capital expenditures, $89.3M toward share buybacks, and $18.7M toward dividends.
Valuation and performance
Nicolet Bankshares trades at a trailing P/E of 18.3x and a forward P/E of 14.8x, both above the median of its US-listed Financial Services peers of 12.1x and 10.8x, respectively. Its price-to-sales multiple of 6.7x also exceeds the peer median of 3.2x, while price-to-book stands at 1.5x. Over the past year, the stock returned 35.2%, outpacing the S&P 500 (SPY) return of 16.8%. Over five years, the stock gained 125.8% compared to 83.0% for the index.
NIC dividend
Nicolet Bankshares pays an annual forward dividend of $1.36 per share, yielding 0.83% with a payout ratio of 12.2%. Dividends are distributed on a quarterly frequency and have been paid for 4 consecutive years. The company's last ex-dividend date was September 1, 2026.
What analysts expect
Wall Street analysts hold 1 Strong Buy, 3 Buy, and 2 Hold ratings on the stock. The mean price target is $191.80, representing 17.1% upside from the last close of $163.80. For the current fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, consensus estimates project EPS of $12.05 (growth of 22.8%) on revenue of $536.9M. The company beat EPS estimates in each of the last 4 quarters, with its next earnings date scheduled for October 22, 2026.
Key risks and what to watch
- Consensus revenue for FY2026 is estimated at $536.9M, which is lower than the $552.6M reported in FY2025.
- Gross margin declined from 88.1% in FY2021 to 69.5% in FY2025.
- Short interest accounts for 5.6% of the float, creating potential downside pressure.
AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer
About this NIC AI stock analysis
This page is an AI-written research summary of Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. (NIC). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.
Related: NIC income statement, NIC balance sheet, NIC key metrics, NIC analyst forecast, NIC chart. See the NIC stock overview for the latest quote and news.
NIC AI stock analysis FAQ
Does Nicolet Bankshares pay a dividend?
Yes, Nicolet Bankshares pays an annual forward dividend of $1.36 per share, representing a 0.83% dividend yield and a 12.2% payout ratio. The dividend is paid quarterly and has been distributed for 4 consecutive years.
What is Nicolet Bankshares' valuation relative to peers?
The stock trades at a trailing P/E of 18.3x and a forward P/E of 14.8x, compared to the median of its US-listed Financial Services peers of 12.1x and 10.8x, respectively. Its price-to-sales ratio is 6.7x, and its price-to-book ratio is 1.5x.
When is the next earnings release for NIC?
Nicolet Bankshares is scheduled to report earnings on October 22, 2026. The company beat EPS estimates in each of the previous 4 quarters.
What are analysts forecasting for Nicolet Bankshares?
Analysts have a mean price target of $191.80, which represents a 17.1% premium to the last closing price of $163.80. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, consensus estimates forecast EPS of $12.05 on revenue of $536.9M.