Stephens has revised its price target for Wintrust Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:WTFC) to $162, up from the previous target of $158, reaffirming an Overweight designation on the shares. This updated valuation signifies an expected upside of approximately 5.5% compared to Wintrust's prevailing trading price near $153.60, close to the company's 52-week peak at $155.99.
Reflecting on the company's performance, Stephens attributes this positive revision to Wintrust's unique operational model, which has consistently driven substantial growth since its establishment in the 1990s. Notably, in the fourth quarter of 2025 and throughout the year, the bank saw remarkable expansion, reinforcing its market position and financial strength.
During the last quarter, Wintrust posted notable increments of $1 billion each in both loans and deposits. This surge elevated the bank to the third rank within the highly competitive Chicago deposit market. Such financial advances have been supported by strategic investments in its banking team and new customer relationships, fueling constructive operating leverage over the past year. This momentum is evident in the company’s robust 11.93% increase in revenue over the trailing twelve months, which culminated in total revenues of $2.63 billion.
Further reinforcing this outlook, management conveyed confidence in achieving a net interest margin (NIM) close to 3.50% and projecting loan growth in the mid- to high-single digits for 2026. Based on these indications, Stephens has elevated its growth expectation for the upcoming year by approximately 8%. Despite the bank's current price-to-earnings ratio standing at 12.69, analyses suggest the stock is undervalued relative to its growth prospects.
In addition to growth metrics, Wintrust has demonstrated reliability in shareholder returns, paying dividends for 26 consecutive years and exhibiting an 11.11% dividend growth rate over the previous twelve months. These factors collectively bolster the attractiveness of the stock for income-focused investors.
Stephens also notes that in the near term, significant merger or acquisition activities are not anticipated for Wintrust. The last transaction concluded in August 2024 involved acquiring Macatawa Bank in western Michigan.
Wintrust’s most recent earnings report revealed performance exceeding market expectations. The bank reported earnings per share (EPS) of $3.15 for Q4 2025, surpassing the predicted $2.93, alongside revenues totaling $714.26 million, which outperformed estimates of $701.8 million. This strong earnings season encouraged other investment firms to upgrade their price targets. DA Davidson raised its target to $172, citing momentum in net interest income. RBC Capital moved its target to $175, emphasizing the quality and growth shown in the earnings. Piper Sandler adjusted its forecast to $184, projecting enhanced operating leverage and expansion of the balance sheet. Raymond James established a price target of $176, highlighting solid growth in net interest income and prudent asset quality management.
The broad spectrum of favorable analyst revisions underscores a widespread positive sentiment towards Wintrust Financial’s prospects.
For investors seeking more comprehensive analysis on Wintrust Financial or other US equities, additional detailed research is accessible through specialized financial data services.