Preferred Bank (PFBC) AI Stock Analysis
PFBC AI stock analysis summary
AI ResearchPreferred Bank is a California-chartered commercial bank serving small and mid-sized businesses, real estate developers, and high net worth individuals. The bank achieved a 5-year revenue CAGR of 17.8% from FY2020 to FY2025 and generated $133.6M in net income in FY2025. It maintains an operating margin of 67.4% over the trailing twelve months while returning capital through share buybacks and a 3.07% dividend yield.
- Market cap
- $1.24B
- Revenue (TTM)
- $286.6M
- P/E
- 9.7x fwd 8.3x
- 1Y return
- 27.5% S&P 500 16.8%
- Avg. target
- $114.40 9.6% vs last close
Bull case
- Trailing twelve-month operating margin stands at a strong 67.4%, significantly higher than the 37.7% median of its US-listed Financial Services peers.
- The bank maintains a strong net cash position of $364.6M with a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49 as of June 30, 2026.
- Shareholder returns are supported by a 5-year annualized dividend growth rate of 20.1% alongside $93.1M in share buybacks during FY2025.
Bear case
- Annual revenue fell 4.1% to $499.0M in FY2025 after peaking at $520.4M in FY2024.
- Short interest represents 13.1% of the float, reflecting significant bearish market sentiment.
- Quarterly revenue growth of 4.7% for the period ended June 30, 2026, lagged the peer group median growth rate of 10.1%.
What Preferred Bank does
Established in 1991 and based in Los Angeles, California, Preferred Bank offers commercial banking products and services to small and mid-sized businesses, real estate developers, professionals, and high net worth individuals across the United States. Its deposit products feature checking, savings, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit, including individual retirement accounts. The bank's lending activities include real estate mortgage loans secured by retail, industrial, office, and residential properties, alongside commercial loans, SBA loans, real estate construction loans, and trade finance services. Its branch network includes eleven branches in California and one in Flushing, New York.
Growth and profitability
Preferred Bank expanded its revenue from $218.8M in FY2021 to a peak of $520.4M in FY2024, before declining 4.1% to $499.0M in FY2025. Net income increased from $95.2M in FY2021 to $133.6M in FY2025, yielding an EPS of $10.38. Over the same span, operating margin compressed from 61.2% in FY2021 to 38.0% in FY2025. Over the trailing twelve months, revenue reached $286.6M with a profit margin of 47.2% and EPS of $10.72. For the latest quarter ending June 30, 2026, quarterly revenue grew 4.7% year-over-year, while quarterly earnings grew 8.2%.
Balance sheet and cash flow
As of June 30, 2026, Preferred Bank held $749.8M in cash and short-term investments against total debt of $385.2M, resulting in net cash of $364.6M. Total assets stood at $7.73B and shareholders' equity was $793.5M, yielding a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49 and a current ratio of 255.01. In FY2025, operating cash flow was $168.1M and free cash flow reached $166.8M. Cash usage included $1.4M for capital expenditures, $93.1M for share buybacks, and $38.3M paid in dividends.
Valuation and performance
Trading at $104.41 as of October 16, 2026, Preferred Bank carries a market capitalization of $1.24B. The stock trades at a trailing P/E of 9.7x and a forward P/E of 8.3x, both lower than the median of its US-listed Financial Services peers at 12.1x and 10.8x, respectively. Its price-to-sales multiple is 4.3x compared to the peer median of 3.2x, while its PEG ratio sits at 0.94. Over the past year, the stock returned 27.5%, outperforming the S&P 500 return of 16.8%, while its 5-year return of 81.0% trailed the S&P 500 return of 83.0%.
PFBC dividend
Preferred Bank pays a forward annual dividend of $3.20 per share, delivering a dividend yield of 3.07% with a payout ratio of 29.2%. The company has paid quarterly dividends for 13 consecutive years and posted a 5-year annualized dividend growth rate of 20.1%. Its last ex-dividend date was October 5, 2026.
What analysts expect
Wall Street coverage consists of 1 Strong Buy, 1 Buy, and 4 Hold ratings among 6 analysts. The consensus mean price target is $114.40, indicating a 9.6% upside from the last close of $104.41. For the current fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, analysts estimate EPS of $10.76 on revenue of $291.4M. The bank has beaten EPS estimates in 3 of the last 4 quarters, and its next earnings date is October 23, 2026.
Key risks and what to watch
- Full-year operating margin fell from 61.2% in FY2021 to 38.0% in FY2025, showing sustained margin compression over multi-year periods.
- The bank faces elevated short interest with short positions accounting for 13.1% of the float.
- Revenue growth slowed to 4.7% in the quarter ended June 30, 2026, trailing the sector peer median of 10.1%.
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 PFBC AI stock analysis
This page is an AI-written research summary of Preferred Bank (PFBC). 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: PFBC income statement, PFBC balance sheet, PFBC key metrics, PFBC analyst forecast, PFBC chart. See the PFBC stock overview for the latest quote and news.
PFBC AI stock analysis FAQ
Does Preferred Bank pay a dividend?
Yes, Preferred Bank pays a quarterly dividend with a forward annualized payout of $3.20 per share, representing a 3.07% yield and a payout ratio of 29.2%.
What is Preferred Bank's valuation relative to peers?
Preferred Bank trades at a trailing P/E of 9.7x and a forward P/E of 8.3x, both of which are below the median of its US-listed Financial Services peers of 12.1x and 10.8x, respectively.
What is the consensus analyst target for PFBC stock?
Analysts have an average price target of $114.40, representing an estimated upside of 9.6% from the closing price of $104.41 on October 16, 2026.
When is Preferred Bank's next earnings report?
Preferred Bank is scheduled to report quarterly financial results on October 23, 2026.