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Benj Gallander, a contrarian specialist and editor of Contra the Heard, selected First US Bancshares (FUSB) as his top investment for 2019. The stock rose 16% in the first half of the year. Here's the latest update on the regional banking outfit.
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First US Bancshares, a deep-rooted bank founded in 1952, has jumped about 16% since we selected it at the beginning of the year. We think that there is much more ahead as it seems reasonable that better than a double is in the cards.
In the past, when it was a smaller bank, it traded above $25. With the recent takeover of The Peoples Bank, there is an excellent chance that both revenues and the bottom line will fatten.
In addition, the dividend, which currently rests at $0.02 a quarter may increase. It did hit $0.27 quarterly prior to the recession and while that is a leap beyond current expectations, a double or triple in the payout before the end of 2020 seems reasonable. That would almost assuredly push the stock price up.
See also: Innovative Industrial Properties (IIPR): 2019 Top Picks' Mid-Year Update
Financial ratios for this bank are excellent. The stock still trades well below the book value of almost $13. Insiders own about 5.8%.
The same steady CEO, James House has guided this enterprise since 2011. It would not surprise at all to see a larger enterprise swoop in and take over FUSB with its 20 branches.
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