Here's Why I Think Mid Penn Bancorp (NASDAQ:MPB) Is An Interesting Stock
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Like a puppy chasing its tail, some new investors often chase 'the next big thing', even if that means buying 'story stocks' without revenue, let alone profit. But as Peter Lynch said in One Up On Wall Street, 'Long shots almost never pay off.'
So if you're like me, you might be more interested in profitable, growing companies, like Mid Penn Bancorp (NASDAQ:MPB). While that doesn't make the shares worth buying at any price, you can't deny that successful capitalism requires profit, eventually. In comparison, loss making companies act like a sponge for capital - but unlike such a sponge they do not always produce something when squeezed.
See our latest analysis for Mid Penn Bancorp
How Fast Is Mid Penn Bancorp Growing Its Earnings Per Share?
Even with very modest growth rates, a company will usually do well if it improves earnings per share (EPS) year after year. So EPS growth can certainly encourage an investor to take note of a stock. Like a falcon taking flight, Mid Penn Bancorp's EPS soared from US$1.31 to US$1.76, over the last year. That's a commendable gain of 35%.
I like to take a look at earnings before interest and (EBIT) tax margins, as well as revenue growth, to get another take on the quality of the company's growth. Not all of Mid Penn Bancorp's revenue this year is revenue from operations, so keep in mind the revenue and margin numbers I've used might not be the best representation of the underlying business. Mid Penn Bancorp maintained stable EBIT margins over the last year, all while growing revenue 54% to US$69m. That's a real positive.
The chart below shows how the company's bottom and top lines have progressed over time. To see the actual numbers, click on the chart.
Mid Penn Bancorp isn't a huge company, given its market capitalization of US$220m. That makes it extra important to check on its balance sheet strength.
Are Mid Penn Bancorp Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?
Like that fresh smell in the air when the rains are coming, insider buying fills me with optimistic anticipation. That's because insider buying often indicates that those closest to the company have confidence that the share price will perform well. However, small purchases are not always indicative of conviction, and insiders don't always get it right.
It's good to see Mid Penn Bancorp insiders walking the walk, by spending US$739k on shares in just twelve months. And when you consider that there was no insider selling, you can understand why shareholders might believe that lady luck will grace this business. It is also worth noting that it was Robert Moisey who made the biggest single purchase, worth US$215k, paying US$26.10 per share.
The good news, alongside the insider buying, for Mid Penn Bancorp bulls is that insiders (collectively) have a meaningful investment in the stock. To be specific, they have US$19m worth of shares. That's a lot of money, and no small incentive to work hard. That amounts to 8.7% of the company, demonstrating a degree of high-level alignment with shareholders.
While insiders already own a significant amount of shares, and they have been buying more, the good news for ordinary shareholders does not stop there. The cherry on top is that the CEO, Rory Ritrievi is paid comparatively modestly to CEOs at similar sized companies. I discovered that the median total compensation for the CEOs of companies like Mid Penn Bancorp with market caps between US$100m and US$400m is about US$1.2m.
The Mid Penn Bancorp CEO received US$665k in compensation for the year ending December 2018. That seems pretty reasonable, especially given its below the median for similar sized companies. While the level of CEO compensation isn't a huge factor in my view of the company, modest remuneration is a positive, because it suggests that the board keeps shareholder interests in mind. I'd also argue reasonable pay levels attest to good decision making more generally.
Is Mid Penn Bancorp Worth Keeping An Eye On?
For growth investors like me, Mid Penn Bancorp's raw rate of earnings growth is a beacon in the night. On top of that, insiders own a significant stake in the company and have been buying more shares. So I do think this is one stock worth watching. If you think Mid Penn Bancorp might suit your style as an investor, you could go straight to its annual report, or you could first check our discounted cash flow (DCF) valuation for the company.
The good news is that Mid Penn Bancorp is not the only growth stock with insider buying. Here's a list of them... with insider buying in the last three months!
Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction
We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material.
If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading.
