Hudson City Reports Loss - Analyst Blog
January 25 2012 - 8:09AM
Zacks
Hudson City Bancorp Inc. (HCBK) reported a
fourth quarter 2011 net loss of 73 cents per share, reflecting the
impact of the debt extinguishments that resulted in an after-tax
charge of $416.8 million. The company had earned 25 cents per share
in the year-ago period. The Zacks Consensus Estimate was a loss of
74 cents per share.
HudsonCity’s operating earnings came in at 12 cents per share in
the reported quarter compared with 25 cents in the year-ago
quarter. The decrease reflects increased liquidity levels which
were held in overnight funds with an average yield of 0.28% until
they were used to extinguish borrowings with an average cost of
4.21% in December 2011.
Total revenue in the reported quarter came in at $209.9 million,
down 15.3% sequentially and 33.3% year over year, reflecting a
decline in both net interest and non-interest revenue. The revenue
figure also missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $232
million.
Quarter in Detail
Hudson City’s net interest income decreased 17.8% year over year
to $207.0million. Net interest margin remained flat year over year
at 1.73% but decreased 24 basis points sequentially. The sequential
decrease reflected the elevated liquidity levels provided by the
calls of investment securities and repayments of mortgage-related
assets.
Hudson City’s non-interest income was $2.9 million in the
reported quarter, significantly down from $62.9 million in the
year-ago quarter. The company reported net gains on securities
transactions of $60.2 million that resulted from the sale of $2.02
billion of mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale in the
prior year period. However, there were no security sales in the
reported quarter.
Total non-interest at Hudson City expense increased to $820.1
million from $69.6million in the year-ago quarter. This increase
was driven by a $728.5 million loss on the extinguishment of debt
completed in December 2011. In addition, the company experienced an
increase in Federal deposit insurance assessments and other
non-interest expense, which was partially offset by a decrease in
compensation and employee benefits. Efficiency ratio increased to
41.79% in the reported quarter from 22.10% in the year-ago quarter.
Credit Quality
The provision for loan losses at Hudson City remained unchanged
sequentially and decreased 44% year-over-year from $45 million to
$25 million. The year-over-year decrease was attributable to the
stability in growth rate of non-performing loans and charge-offs as
well as a reduction in the loan portfolio size.
However, the ratio of non-performing loans to total loans was
3.48% as of December 31, 2011, up 32 bps from the prior quarter.
Allowance for loan losses to total loans increased 4 bps
sequentially to 0.93%. The ratio of net charge-offs to average
loans slightly increased to 0.27% from 0.25% in the prior
quarter.
Capital Ratios
Hudson City’s capital ratios remained strong during the quarter.
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio increased to 8.83% as of December 31,
2011 from 8.77% as of September 30, 2011. Equity to total assets
was 10.05% compared with 9.79% as of September 30, 2011.
Dividend Update
Concurrent with the earnings release, Hudson City declared a
quarterly dividend of 8 cents per share. The dividend is payable on
February 28, 2012 to shareholders of record on February 10,
2012.
Our Take
Hudson City’s strong business model, solid capital position and
conservative underwriting will boost its financial position. The
debt pay-off is also a strategic fit for the company.
Yet an unfavorable interest rate environment, sluggish economic
recovery and uncertainty surrounding the new and anticipated
regulations are the primary headwinds.
Within Hudson City’s peer group, People's United
Financial Inc.’s (PBCT) reported its fourth-quarter 2011
earnings last week. People’s United’s fourth-quarter 2011 operating
earnings per share of 17 cents missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate
by 2 cents.
Quarterly results at People’s United were impacted by a lower
top line coupled with a downtrend in credit quality due to economic
weakness. However, lower non-interest expenses reflected better
expense management.
Hudson City currently retains its Zacks #2 Rank, which
translates into a short-term ‘Buy’ rating.
HUDSON CITY BCP (HCBK): Free Stock Analysis Report
PEOPLES UTD FIN (PBCT): Free Stock Analysis Report
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